When Do the NEW Southwest Airlines Seating Rules Start?

Something we took for granted will soon be coming to an end. Now, we’ve already had to say goodbye to free checked bags on Southwest Airlines, but soon, the entire way you buy seats and board the plane is also going to change.

Flying with Southwest

Southwest has made a series of policy changes with its seating, but the biggest changes will begin on January 27th. We’re going to break those new seating rules down so you can make sense of them.

Here are the policy changes that will start on Southwest Airlines on January 27th.

Assigned Seating

Boarding positions will be gone forever on January 27th as Southwest Airlines embraces assigned seating. This means that you’ll be assigned a specific seat to sit in, just like you do with every other airline. Previously, Southwest let passengers board according to their boarding number, and you could choose whatever seat was open. That’s no longer the case.

Goodbye boarding numbers

There are also now three specific categories for seating on Southwest Airlines:

Extra Legroom — guarantees seats with additional legroom, like exit rows, in the forward part of the cabin. This group also boards first in Groups 1 and 2. These are also the most expensive seats.
Preferred Seats — standard legroom seats in the forward and middle part of the cabin. This group is boarding groups 3 through 5, so their boarding time is in the middle of the boarding process. These are the second most expensive seats.
Standard Seats — seats in a standard location from whatever is left after extra legroom and preferred seats are taken. Seats are in the middle and rear cabin, and many will be middle seats. This group is boarding groups 6 through 8, meaning they board last. These are the least expensive seats.

Boarding

This means that boarding a Southwest flight is going to change. Instead of lining up by boarding number, boarding groups will be called, just like flying with every other airline. Your boarding group will be printed on your boarding pass. Obviously, if you paid more for your Extra Legroom or a Preferred Seat, you get a higher boarding group.

Southwest Airlines at John Wayne International Airport

The upside is that boarding will be a little more relaxed because you no longer have to line up in numerical order.

Elite Status and Credit Card Benefits

Note that if you have Elite Status with Southwest, you may qualify to get something beyond standard seats. A-List Preferred can get free Extra Legroom seats, while A-List can get a free Preferred Seat selection.

Southwest at MCO

Those who book with a Southwest Airlines credit card can also get one free checked bag. Southwest credit card holders are also guaranteed to be in boarding group 5.

“Customers of Size” Passenger Rule Changes

Southwest has also changed its rules for passengers who require more than one seat. In the past, Customers of Size have not been required to purchase a second seat in advance, although it is recommended. The current policy is that additional seats are provided to passengers who need them, for free, when available, with refunds for additional seats available after travel.

Southwest Airplanes

On January 27th, though, that rule will change. Southwest will require its “customers of size” to purchase an extra seat and “pay any applicable seat fee” before they can board an aircraft. Refunds are still available after travel if additional seats are available for these passengers, but it depends on both seats being in the same fare class, the refund request being made within 90 days of travel, and the plane having “at least one” additional open seat. A refund may still be available if the plane is full, if some of the empty seats were being saved for off-duty airline employees.

It might seem a little confusing, but if you’ve ever flown with other airlines, the new Southwest rules and policies are very similar to those. In other words, Southwest is now just like every other airline out there.

“Aisle Lice” Could Cause Chaos on Southwest Airlines Flights After Boarding Changes Are Implemented

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What do you think of the new rules at Southwest Airlines? Sound off in the comments!