Southwest Launching Assigned and Premium Seating in January

In July of 2024 we learned that Southwest would start offering assigned seating as well as premium seating but there was no timeframe for that to happen. Well now we know when it will be coming.

Southwest to Begin Offering Seat Selection for Flights as of January 27th, 2026

According to a Southwest press release customers will be able to start selecting seats starting on July 29th, 2025 for flights starting on January 27th, 2026. They can select their seats at the time of booking for flights beginning on January 27th, 2026. They will also be able to select extra legroom, preferred and standard seating.

Southwest’s soon to change open seating policy has left people divided over the years. They either love it or hate it. I’m in the latter camp and hate it. If you don’t check in right at 24 hours before your flight you’re stuck boarding last and the likelihood of getting stuck in a middle seat goes up.

They say that 80% of Rapid Rewards members and 86% of potential customers prefer assigned seating so this is what is driving this positive change. They’ll also bring in additional revenue this way.

New Seating Configuration

With the change to assigned seating, Southwest is also rolling out Extra Legroom and Preferred seats in addition to their standard seats.

Southwest’s New Seating Options

As you can see the Extra Legroom seats will offer up to an additional 5 inches of legroom and be in the front of the cabin and in the exit rows.

Preferred seating offers standard legroom but is closer to the front of the cabin which is preferable when deplaning.

So who can select these seats for free? This is a rather complicated list as there are a number of different Southwest credit cards.

• A-List Preferred members can select any seat at booking, including extra legroom seats

• A-List members or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority cardholders and Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business cardholders can select preferred seating at time of booking and extra legroom seats within 48 hours of departure.

• Members with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card or the Rapid Rewards Premier Business card can select preferred or standard seats within 48 hours of departure.

• Members with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card can select standard seats within 48 hours of departure.