Oh, the times they are a-changin’ over at Southwest Airlines, and passengers are paying more as a result.

Starting on January 27th, 2026, Southwest is installing yet ANOTHER controversial protocol change after a year of questionable beloved feature removals. If you’re out of the loop but looking to fly with Southwest in the near future — or beyond — there are a couple of perks that were once free that will now cost you extra. Here’s everything you need to know…

Let’s start with the most recent change. After more than 50 years of an open seating/first-come-first-served seating policy that rewards earlier boarding (which wasn’t completely based on fare pricing), Southwest Airlines is completely changing its protocol by whipping out a new boarding system on January 27th that is more the norm — replacing open seating with numbered seating instead.

This massive change makes Southwest operate more like its competitors, especially with its new tiered seating options. Most folks will opt for the new Standard Seats — seats that don’t cost extra, but offer standard legroom and are mostly behind the exit rows.

However, in an effort to maximize profits, Southwest is currently offering upgraded seats, including Preferred Seats near the front of the cabin and Extra Legroom Seats — which offer a “roomier experience with more legroom to stretch out, at the front of the cabin and near the exit rows, with up to five additional inches of extra legroom compared to Standard and Preferred seats,” according to Southwest.

These new seat options are offered in fare bundles. They are as follows:

Basic Bundle

• Standard seat
• Board last (unless you pay extra for Priority Boarding)
• 2X fare on Rapid Rewards points
• Flight credits expire after 6 months and are non-transferable
• Can only be refunded with a non-transferable Flight Credit
• Flight changes can only be made for a fare upgrade fee
• No cancel fees
• Free in-flight entertainment

Choice Bundle

• Standard seat
• General boarding (unless you pay extra for Priority Boarding)
• 6X fare on Rapid Rewards points
• Flight credits expire after 12 months (transferable)
• Flight change fees may apply
• No cancel fees
• Free Same-day standby
• Free Same-day change
• Free in-flight entertainment

Choice Preferred Bundle

• A Preferred or Standard seat you select at booking
• Early General boarding (unless you pay extra for Priority Boarding)
• 10X fare on Rapid Rewards points
• Flight credits expire after 12 months (transferable)
• Flight is refundable
• Flight change fees may apply
• No cancel fees
• Free Same-day standby
• Free Same-day change
• EarlyBird Check-in
• Free in-flight entertainment
• Priority Lane and Express Lane

Choice Extra Bundle

• Any seat you’d like onboard, booked ahead of your flight
• Early boarding (Priority Boarding costs extra)
• 2 free checked bags
• 14X fare on Rapid Rewards points
• Flight credits expire after 12 months (transferable)
• Flight is refundable
• Flight change fees may apply
• No cancel fees
• Free Same-day standby
• Free Same-day change
• Priority Boarding, A1-A15
• Free in-flight entertainment
• Priority Lane and Express Lane
• Premium Drink

Costs between bundles will vary based on destination, flight length, airport, booking date, flight demand, and other factors. With that said, if you deviate from Standard Seating, you could easily add $30-$150 to your fare.

To get an idea of costs, we tested out the bundles for a flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Orlando (MCO) — to stay within the Disney spirit — and came away with the following conclusions (for one specific flight): Basic costs nothing extra, Choice costs $35 to $50 extra, Choice Preferred costs $75 to $100 extra, Extra Legroom added on to Basic costs $60 to $100 extra, and Choice Extra costs $100 to $200 more.

With that in mind, A-List/Southwest credit card members could still get free seat selection or the ability to upgrade into premium seating without paying extra upfront, depending on membership status.

But now it’s time to talk about the perk change that NOBODY liked. In 2025, Southwest got rid of its “First 2 Bags Fly Free” perk, and now ONLY Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and customers traveling on Business Select fares receive two free checked bags. A-List Members and other select passengers receive one free checked bag, and Southwest credits one checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers.

As for everyone else? Regular passengers are now charged $35 for the first checked bag, $45 for the second checked bag, and $150 for the third and subsequent bags. No matter the circumstance, all bags must still adhere to the 50 lbs/62″ limitations.

These changes are still jarring, to be completely honest. But we’ll be flying with Southwest in the future to see how these perks — or lackthereof — translate and affect the travel experience. In the meantime, continue to follow us here at DFB for all the latest travel updates and tips!

“Hate the New Changes.” Fans Are NOT Ready for This HUGE Southwest Airlines Change

What do you think of the Southwest Airlines changes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!