Southwest Airlines will begin assigned and premium seating on flights starting Jan. 27, 2026, ending the airline's polarizing open seating policy where passengers chose seats upon boarding as first-come, first-serve according to boarding position in line.

Southwest Airlines is ending its open seating policy and transitioning to assigned seating. The change will take effect in early 2026, with tickets for flights with assigned seating going on sale in the second half of 2025. Passengers will have the option ...

Southwest has officially switched to assigned seating, ending open seating as the airline continues to remake its once-distinctive business model.