Posted on 07/22/25
| News Source: FOX News
Southwest Airlines has announced a major change coming to its current seating system.
The Texas-based airline previously had a "pick any seat" policy, allowing customers to purchase tickets in different boarding groups by selecting where they wanted to sit upon boarding the plane.
On July 29, Southwest will be assigning seats to customers booking flights beginning on Jan. 27, 2026 — making it the last airline to drop open seating.
Tony Roach, Southwest executive vice president of customer and brand, said in a press release that customers want "greater control over their travel experience."
"Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our customers — including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats — and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin," said Roach.
He added, "This is an important step in our evolution, and we’re excited to pair these enhancements with our legendary customer service."
A Senate investigation report last year reviewed data from five airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines.