Overview
- By late March, decals will mark overhead bins reserved for extra‑legroom rows, addressing complaints about paid seats lacking nearby storage.
- Southwest says it is rebalancing boarding groups to smooth aircraft flow after switching to assigned seats on Jan. 27.
- The airline plans larger overhead bins that hold up to 50% more carry‑ons, targeting roughly 70% of the fleet with the upgrade by the end of 2026.
- A spokesperson told USA TODAY the transition is going well, with tweaks continuing, while some customers report the process feels calmer.
- After viral posts alleging “extortion” over seat availability, Southwest said some seats are blocked for operational needs and that Basic‑fare late check‑ins on full flights may show standby despite holding confirmed seats, with a vendor fix in progress.