Overview
- Assigned seats now apply on all Southwest flights, with Standard, Preferred and Extra Legroom options replacing the long‑running open seating model.
- Boarding has shifted to eight groups, with earlier groups tied to higher fare tiers and seat selections under the new structure.
- Passengers who cannot fit between a seat’s armrests must purchase the necessary additional seat(s) at booking under rules effective January 27, 2026.
- Refunds for extra seats are limited to flights that were not full, require both tickets in the same fare class, and must be requested within 90 days after travel.
- If an extra seat was not bought in advance, staff will accommodate only if space is available, with rebooking or deplaning possible on full flights, drawing immediate criticism from advocates and some travel professionals.