Overview
- Assigned seating is now live across Southwest’s network as of Jan. 27, with Flight 1791 from Honolulu to Los Angeles confirmed as the final open‑seating departure.
- Cabins now feature Extra Legroom, Preferred and Standard seats, with access based on four fare bundles; Extra Legroom offers about 3–5 more inches of pitch and is included with Choice Extra.
- An eight‑group boarding system replaces A/B/C positions, assigning groups by seat location, fare class and loyalty or credit‑card status, and gate areas are being converted over roughly two months.
- Southwest’s updated customers‑of‑size policy requires purchasing an extra seat in advance, with post‑travel refunds now conditional on factors such as seat availability and timing.
- The shift follows research showing most travelers prefer assigned seats and fits into a broader revenue push that includes 2025 baggage fees and completed 737 cabin retrofits.