Southwest’s New Assigned Seating 2026: What to Know
Hey there, travel lovers! At Utah Travel Pros, we’re focused on providing clear information for families flying from Salt Lake City or Provo. Southwest Airlines has announced updates that will affect travel starting January 27, 2026, with bookings available from July 29, 2025. These include assigned seating, new fare bundles, and revised perks. We’ve reviewed the details to outline how these changes impact your trips—whether a short flight to Vegas or a family visit to Disney. Let’s break it down.
Key Changes in Southwest’s Policies
Southwest is shifting from its traditional open seating to assigned seating, which means you’ll select seats based on your fare type. Previously, all passengers enjoyed open seating, two free checked bags, and flight credits with no expiration. Now, these features are changing:
- Assigned Seating Replaces Open Seating: Seats are now assigned, with options varying by fare. This could help families sit together but eliminates the flexibility of choosing on board.
- Checked Bags: Free checked bags are now limited to higher fares (two free on Choice Extra) or certain loyalty tiers. Most fares will incur fees ($35 for the first, $45 for the second), a departure from the previous "bags fly free" policy for all.
- Flight Credits: Credits now expire after 6 months (Basic) or 12 months (other fares), unlike the previous no-expiration policy.
Loyalty program members and cardholders may retain some benefits, such as free bags through tier status, but these updates represent a significant shift. Card members will get one free checked bag per person up to 8 additional people on their itinerary.
New Seat Choices
The cabin will offer:
- Extra Legroom: Seats with up to 5 extra inches* at the front and exit rows, including earlier bin access, enhanced snacks, and premium beverages. *Varies by aircraft, like the 737-700.
- Preferred: Standard legroom near the front.
- Standard: Standard legroom in the back.
Seats can be selected at booking or check-in, depending on fare.
Credit to Southwest for the illustrations above.
New Fare Bundles
From July 29, 2025, fares are bundled with different benefits. Here’s a comparison:
| Fare Bundle | Basic (Go for Less) | Choice (Top Pick) | Choice Preferred (Earlier Access) | Choice Extra (All In) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Type | Standard (at check-in) | Standard (at booking) | Preferred (or Standard) | Extra Legroom (or any seat) |
| Extra Legroom | Upgrade available | Upgrade available | Upgrade available | Included |
| Preferred Seat | Upgrade available | Upgrade available | Included | Included |
| Standard Seat | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Boarding Group | Last | General | Early General | Early |
| Checked Bags | Pay | Pay | Pay | 2 Free |
| Rapid Rewards Points | 2X fare | 6X fare | 10X fare | 14X fare |
| Flight Credit Expiry | 6 months | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| Transferable Credit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Refundability | Non-transferable credit | Transferable credit | Refundable | Refundable |
| No Cancel Fees | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Same-Day Standby/Change | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Boarding (pre-2026) | Pay | Pay | EarlyBird Check-In | A1-A15 |
| Free Entertainment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Lanes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Premium Drink | Pay | Pay | Pay | Yes |
| Inflight WiFi | Pay | Pay | Pay | Yes |
These options allow customization, but lower fares have fewer inclusions compared to previous standards.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmember Benefits
Southwest credit card holders can access additional perks to enhance their travel experience. Here’s how the benefits stack up across card types:
| Card Type | Chase Plus (Personal/Business) | Chase Premier (Personal/Business) | Chase Priority (Personal) | Chase Performance Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seating Benefits | Select a Standard seat within 48 hours of departure on any fare, when available. | Select a Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours of departure on any fare, when available. | Select a Standard or Preferred seat at booking, on any fare, when available. Upgrade to Extra Legroom within 48 hours of departure on any fare, when available. | Select a Standard or Preferred seat at booking, on any fare, when available. Upgrade to Extra Legroom within 48 hours of departure on any fare, when available. |
| Boarding Benefit | Group 5 | Group 5 | Group 5 | Group 5 |
| Bag Benefit | As of May 28, 2025, first checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to eight passengers on the same reservation. (Must include Rapid Rewards® account number at booking.) | As of May 28, 2025, first checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to eight passengers on the same reservation. (Must include Rapid Rewards® account number at booking.) | As of May 28, 2025, first checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to eight passengers on the same reservation. (Must include Rapid Rewards® account number at booking.) | As of May 28, 2025, first checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to eight passengers on the same reservation. (Must include Rapid Rewards® account number at booking.) |
| Earn Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) | No | 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually. Coming late summer 2025: 2,000 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually. | 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually. Coming late summer 2025: 2,000 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually. | 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually. Coming late summer 2025: 2,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent annually. |
| New Ways to Earn | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
These card benefits can help offset some costs, like bag fees, and improve your seating and boarding experience.
Boarding and Loyalty Updates
Boarding starts January 27, 2026, with groups based on seat and status:
- Choice Extra & Upgrades: Groups 1-2
- Choice Preferred: No later than Group 5
- Choice & Basic: Later groups; Priority Boarding available for purchase 24 hours out
- A-List Preferred: Group 2 or earlier, free Extra Legroom selection
- A-List: Group 5 or earlier, free Extra Legroom upgrade within 48 hours
- Cardmembers: Group 5 if not earlier
Rapid Rewards continues with no blackouts and unlimited seats, but points remain non-expiring. Tier perks extend to your group (up to 9 people), including bags and seating. Companion Pass includes seating for your companion, and Southwest cardholders get a 10,000-point annual boost.
Potential Impacts
These changes provide more seat choices but may increase costs for checked bags and reduce credit flexibility. Basic fares board last, and upgrades are needed for premium features on lower bundles. For frequent flyers or cardholders, loyalty perks could offset some changes.
Booking Considerations
Bookings open July 29, 2025, for 2026 travel. Monitor Southwest sales from Salt Lake City International Airport to score great deals or use our Flight Deals Subscription for updates. We've found deals for less than $100 round trip from SLC to other Southwest destinations.
How It Affects Travelers
The updates introduce assigned seating and bundled fares while altering bag and credit policies. Families may appreciate seat selection but note the added fees. From national parks to beach trips, evaluate based on your needs.
Final Tip: Plan Accordingly
Review your Rapid Rewards status and card benefits. For personalized advice, let Utah Travel Pros assist with budget-friendly planning.
Apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card if interested. Join our Flight Deals Subscription for alerts, or use our Travel Planner for support. ✈️
Happy travels!
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