Southwest Reveals New Details on Assigned Seating Plan [Video]

Southwest Airlines is revealing new details about its assigned seating initiative. 

Following its July 2024 announcement that its open seating policy was ending, the Dallas-based airline is sharing an update on its new model as part of its three-year business plan, according to a Sept. 26 press release. 

While the airline has always been known for offering seats on a first come, first served basis, it will officially begin selling assigned seats in the second half of 2025. However, travelers won’t see the reserved seating in action on their flights until the beginning of 2026, the airline says. 

Southwest is also offering premium seating that features “extra legroom options with up to five additional inches of pitch for approximately a third of its seats,” while not sacrificing the legroom in its economy seating.

On Thursday, July 25, the airline announced it was doing away with assigned seating after conducting “extensive research” on customers’ needs while flying.

The research …