Southwest Changes 2026: Assigned Seating, New Fare Bundles, Bag Fees & More — What Flyers Need to Know
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Southwest is making some big changes, the biggest they’ve ever done.
Starting January 27, 2026, they’re getting rid of open seating and giving everyone assigned seats. They’ll have three types of seats: Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom. There will also be new boarding groups, numbered 1 through 8. Plus, they’re changing up their fare bundles, which will affect when you can pick your seat and how early you can board. If you’re booking a flight for after January 27, 2026, you’ll see the assigned-seat choices and the new fares already — Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra — because Southwest is already using the new system.
Also, like we said before, free checked bags aren’t a thing for everyone anymore. If you book or change your ticket on or after May 28, 2025, your first checked bag will cost $35, and your second will be $45 for most fares. But there are some exceptions: Choice Extra fares still get two (2) free checked bags. A-List Preferred members also get two (2) free bags. A-List members and Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers each get one (1) free bag for themselves and often for people traveling with them on the same booking. That free bag rule is still around when assigned seating starts.
Here’s a simple guide to what’s changing, when it starts, and how to pick the best fare or perk for your travels.
What’s Changing on January 27, 2026
Assigned seating replaces open seating
On flights January 27, 2026 and beyond, Southwest assigns seats.
- Basic fares get a Standard seat assigned at check-in.
- Choice lets you select a Standard seat at booking.
- Choice Preferred lets you select a Preferred seat at booking (front of cabin).
- Choice Extra lets you select an Extra Legroom seat at booking (front/exits; more pitch, earlier bin access, premium drinks/snacks).
Boarding is also refreshed: no more A/B/C with numbers — Groups 1–8 instead. EarlyBird Check-In and Upgraded Boarding end after Jan 26, 2026; a paid Priority Boarding product replaces them starting Jan 27, 2026. Priority Boarding allows you to upgrade your service class to Group 1 boarding. This feature is available between 24 hours and 60 minutes before departure. The cost is calculated individually for each flight and must be paid by credit card. More details on the official website.
Family seating: Southwest says it will “do our best” to seat children 13 and younger next to at least one adult; for Basic, seats come at check-in/gate, while Choice/Preferred/Extra select seats during booking.
New lite & cardmember seating perks
For tickets booked/changed on or after May 28, 2025, the first checked bag costs $35 and the second $45 for Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred. However, some elite statuses and credit cards offer free baggage allowance.
- A-List Preferred: select any seat (incl. Extra Legroom) free at booking for 1/27/26+ flights; board Groups 1–2; first & second bags free.
- A-List: select Preferred/Standard seats at booking; upgrade to Extra Legroom free within 48 hours; first bag free.
- Southwest Chase cards: seating/boarding perks and first bag free vary by card tier (Plus/Premier/Priority/Business).
Fare Bundles: What Each One Includes
Southwest did away with the old fare names like Business Select and Wanna Get Away. Now, they have Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, Choice, and Basic.
Besides picking your seat, these bundles give you different perks, especially when it comes to changing flights. The big change is that Basic is now truly no-frills. It’s nonrefundable, and you can’t change your flight unless you pay extra. But with Choice and the fares above it, you still get the same-day flexibility that Southwest is known for, plus earlier boarding and more legroom if you go for the top tier.
If you fly Southwest a lot, these small details matter. Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra still let you change flights for free on the same day and offer standby options (though you might have to pay taxes and fees). Basic doesn’t offer this. If you’re A-List or A-List Preferred, you can still get same-day standby even on a Basic fare, but to change your flight for free that day, you need to buy one of the more expensive fares.
Here’s the short version for flights Jan 27, 2026+:
| Fare (Old Name) | Seat Selection | Same-Day Change/Standby | Refundability | Checked Bags | RR Earning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (Wanna Get Away) | Standard seat assigned at check-in | No (upgrade fare to change) | Non-refundable (flight credit rules) | $35 / $45 | 2x fare |
| Choice (WGA Plus) | Standard seat at booking | Yes | Transferable credit | $35 / $45 | 6x fare |
| Choice Preferred (Anytime) | Preferred seat at booking | Yes | Refundable | $35 / $45 | 10x fare |
| Choice Extra (Business Select) | Extra Legroom at booking | Yes | Refundable | 2 free | 14x fare |
Details like Priority Lane/Express Lane and premium drink on 251+ mile flights are specified on Southwest’s site.
Customer of Size Policy: What Changes in 2026
Southwest is changing its policy about extra seats. If you’re flying on or after January 27, 2026, and need a second seat, you’ll have to buy it ahead of time.
You might still get a refund after your trip, but only if you meet certain rules. Check Southwest’s website for the details on when and how to qualify. One thing: you have to ask for the refund within a certain time, and both seats need to be in the same fare class. They’re making this change because they’re adding assigned seating.
Basically, if you think you’ll need an extra seat, reserve and pay for it when you book your ticket. If there are empty seats when you fly and you meet all the requirements, you can ask for your money back later.
Key Dates Change & What To Do
| Date | Change | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2025 | Standard checked bag fees introduced for most fares/statuses | Budget $35/$45 per bag unless your fare/status waives it. |
| July 29, 2025 | Seat selection opens for 1/27/26+ travel | Lock preferred/extra-legroom seats early (or rely on status/card windows). |
| Jan 27, 2026 | Assigned seating & new boarding go live; EarlyBird ends | Choose fares by seat & change perks; know your boarding group. |
| Jan 27, 2026 | Customers of Size policy updated | Extra seat purchase/refund now follows new rules. |
Conclusion
If you used to just show up early to get a good boarding spot, things have changed. Now, you need to pick the right ticket when you book. Families should grab their seats when they buy their tickets to be sure they all sit together. If you buy the cheapest tickets, know that you’ll get your seat when you check in, and you can’t switch flights unless you pay more. If you care about bags, see if your ticket, status, or Southwest credit card gets you a free checked bag or two, so you don’t pay extra at the airport. Also, if you usually buy an extra seat for more room, the best way to do that after January 27, 2026, is to just buy two seats with the same ticket type and ask for a refund right after your trip.
