Southwest Airlines will begin assigned seating for bookings made in the second half of next year, for flights operated in the first half of 2026.
They’ve announced what this means for their A-List and A-List Preferred elite members, and how this will affect Companion Pass.
- A-List: requires 20 qualifying one-way flights or 35,000 tier qualifying points per calendar year
- A-List Preferred: requires 40 qualifying one-way flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points per calendar year
- Companion Pass: requires 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 qualifying points per calendar year, with co-brand credit card customers getting 10,000 points per year credited towards companion pass.
It’s a little weird to keep calling the status level ‘A List’ since the idea of the branding was that you can expect an A boarding group, boarding earlier and getting a better seat – a value proposition that no longer matters with assigned seats!
Here’s the new benefit table:
A-List customers get free assigned seating, but only extra legroom seats complimentary out of what remains within 48 hours of departure. A-List Preferred gets free extra legroom at booking. Passengers on the same reservation share these seat assignment benefits. And Companion Pass companion passengers receive the same seating benefits as the Companion Pass holder, whether based on elite tier or fare purchased.
They haven’t yet outlined how co-brand cardmembers will be treated in this. For instance, a premium card benefit is a statement credit for A1-15 boarding positions which will no longer be so valuable since they won’t come with better seats. Meanwhile, at other airlines there’s generally a boarding benefit just for holding the card. They anticipate sharing an announcement in ‘spring 2025.’
The beginning of the end for the little airline that could. Incredibly sad ….
Herb Kelleher always valued each and every Customer, no matter how old or how young, how rich or how poor, with no special status given. Then Gary Kelly started changing things because those who traveled more than others started complaining. So along came the A, B, C groups. Now, I once worked for Midway Airlines and they had all Coach Cabin when I was hired. Then they hired a bunch of Eastern Airlines former Management and decided to do First Class.. And the entitled began demanding to be upgraded to First Class because they could.
And now Southwest will soon destroy one more dream of the Airline that Herb Kelleher built, as if the A-List group has not whined enough. What will happen if the folks who book their seats 6 months ahead have already paid for those extra leg room seats? Are the whiners going to say they want them removed? Will Southwest not release those seats to Customers who book far in advance? There are still many questions to be answered, but I sincerely hope that the whiners do not kill Southwest Airlines.
@American,
Herb’s airline is dead…it’s been dead for nearly two decades now…and isn’t coming back.
IMO, the moment they start charging for the first or second bag, it’s game over.
Counting down until the seats in the 737-700 are replaced. Then I will not have any Southwest planes that I know have comfortable seats…
I have flown Southwest for years. It has always been my choice of airline because of their seating system, early bird, bags fly free and fairly comfortable seats. With their changes it will not give me or other passengers the incentive to want to choose to fly them over another airline. They are ruining t Southwest. At one time I was lucky enough to reach Alist preferred, however I do not fly as much so I have lost that privilege. I believe their changes will be the beginning of the end for them. Greed always seems to win. Money in the big wigs pockets is all they care about. They should pay attention and listen to their customers because if we all stop choosing their airline to fly they will no longer be rich or have a job. Common sense really, but not much of that left these days.
Ah, ‘the people’s airline’ becoming just like the rest. This was the one thing that separated SWA from everyone else; now they’re undoing it. Nothing is truly ‘egalitarian’ in-practice (see the preferential boarding zones), but their ‘sit anywhere you want’ policy was the closest to it in the industry. The only remaining unique thing about them now is the ‘two free checked bags’. If they get rid of that too then they really are just Spirit, Frontier, or Allegiant, but with a ‘heart’ logo. Next they will throw in ‘big seat up front’ equivalents. Sheesh.
Totally brokenhearted over the stupid management decision-making. I chose Southwest because of the seating policy. I had too many instances of closing a seat only to have it changed at check-in for no reason with other carriers. Are they going to start overbooking too?
Those of you complaining because you liked open seating or “bags fly free” need to understand reality. First of all more frequent fliers avoid Southwest due to open seating (and all the games around that) than actually fly them so for all of you that say you won’t fly them after this change more people will it is a net positive change economically.
As for “bags fly free” you do understand that the only people that actually pay to check a bag on the legacy carriers are infrequent fliers that don’t have an affinity credit right right?! Anyone with elite status doesn’t pay for the first bag at least (and 2 on most of the carriers). Also, just having a credit card for around $100 a year typically gets you at least 1 free bag and a better boarding group.
The world has changed and some people want to pay more for a better seat or improved service. Trust me I remember the days of flying SW in the 80s and 90s when you had to get a boarding number 24 hours ahead and had a number from 1-45 (first group) then actual boarding was based on who lined up first (number 45 could be in front of number 1). People lined up an hour or more before the flight. The current system where at least your place in line in reserved is a huge improvement but I still refuse to fly SW (and status matched to A list when I did fly them). Even with A list or Early Bird you can get in group B when watch all the “handicapped passenger” (and I put it in quotes since many aren’t), other preboards, group A and then all families traveling with children get on before you. Then you have to contend with passengers on a direct flight that stopped there and remained on board (if you don’t understand what a direct flight is versus a non-stop Google it) and the seat saving scam. Way too much hassle for those of us that actually fly a lot.
This is a change that’s been long anticipated. The two bags free is definitely a good perk. But ordinary travelers have become very frustrated at the special boarding where so many people board and “reserve” seats for their family. They also all sit in front slowing down the boarding process.
Extra legroom seats are available must in this market. There are have travelers who want better amenities. The other major area they need to focus on is sale of food on board. Another missed opportunity for southwest and even on long Hawaii flights they don’t do that.
It looks like SW will no longer be my airline of choice, and neither will their credit card.
Airlines have learned to monetize boarding priority and seat selection to great levels, in no small measure by capitalizing on widespread passenger anxiety about securing a good seat and overheard luggage space. Southwest was leaving a lot of money on the table because of its inability to do that as well as the competition. They did their homework and realized the financial upside of ditching their boarding policy and open seating was much greater than potential customer pushback. I am shocked it took them so long. When your absolutely top customers, the ones that fly you the most and contribute the greatest to the bottom line, cannot have their choice of seats or cannot have the best seats on the plane, there is something very wrong with your business model.
i just want to know which airline the fake pre-boarders will now fly so I can avoid that airline.
@Mary Every other airline monetizes assigned seating and sells extra leg room. You cant leave Southwest and expect a different product elsewhere. Coach is a commodity product across US carriers and its ubiquitous.
Southwest will be just fine. How reluctant people are to embrace change. That’s human nature. From my perspective, the new changes at Southwest are a plus for the airline. If prices stay competitive or less expensive than the majors everything will be alright. It may take some time for Southwest and their passengers to adjust. Like every change in life. Probably the only thing written about these changes will focus on the negative. That’s seems to be the trend.
What was the number, 80% prefer assigned seating. That leaves a hefty 20% inclined to fly SWA ’cause it doesn’t. I’d take that 20% and fly away. Far too complicated; casual two-three times a year flyer will be completely lost. I’d fly somebody else to avoid being embarrassed.
The nail is in the coffin. As soon as Southwest starts charging for baggage, they are just another legacy airline. We are frequent fliers and used to fly Southwest exclusively, but what will be the point? Their airfares are no longer competitive anyway.
The thing I notice is that currently, same-day standby is free for everyone; same-day confirmed change is an A-List benefit.
It looks like now same-day standby is an A-List benefit; I fear that will mean that it is no longer free for everyone. And it looks like free same-day change is going away entirely.
I love SW I have been flying for years I think that people have to understand why they are changing I have thought all along this will be the standard in flying I am in a wheel chair and I am not complaining if don’t have a front row seat so be it basically this will be the norm every airline has assigned seating you get what you pay for. Roll with the times. It’s fine.
Ironically, I got involved in something where my travel, hotel, and meals were covered for 3 years. 1st Class was allowed.
I got on this Cattlecar in 2009 because it could do my ‘home’ airport to Arizona in 3 hours, where the other Airlines had to change planes and it took 9 hours.
Southwest was easy, kinda laid-back, economical, so I stayed with them.
Now, I can go back to checking other Airlines and see the comparisons.
Southwest has been going down for several years.
I anticipate it will be bought out/merged within 5 years.
And how will they handle the 9 (hyperbole, maybe) wheelchair passengers who are normally loaded into those front row seats before A-List is allowed onboard? Sorry Mr. A-lister, we gave your front of cabin aisle seat away, and assigned you an open seat. Enjoy 31E. Or are they really going to load the wheelchair-bound passengers further back, causing messy disembarcation?
Just wondering what is going to happen with disabled people and how they are treated in the new system.
Southwest is going to have probably 60% less wheelchairs because now there’s no advantage. Same with that preboarding nonsense
I’m eagerly awaiting this rollout to start flying Southwest regularly, assuming fares remain competitive. The current cattle call boarding process is a deal breaker for me, even though they often offer desirable flight times I would otherwise consider. As for the 2 free checked bags, I’d rather just have lower fares with bags as and add-on for those who require them.
@SamChevre: Same-day confirmed changes are a feature of the WannaGetAway Plus fare class. They have never been allowed for regular WannaGetAway unless you have status. In short, there is no policy change.
Ah, ‘the people’s airline’ becoming just like the rest. Well not really. They are missing a true business class section. Just like the rest.
A two a row section. NOT THREE SEATS TO A ROW.. Such a sad , missed opportunity to revamp the seating. My companion and I fly twice per month with SWA. Now O will be forced into a middle seat of plane is full , since my companion will only sit in the aisle. Do not want to sit across from companion either.
I saw the new seat map. No more two row seat in the emergency row section. All three to a seat.
So lets go SWA. Two seat section. Even of it just the first five or so rows. Business folks will pay the price. Profit generated.
Also SWA missed out building out airline clubs. Too bad.
I will only fly them for the companion pass. Otherwise wish I could fly Alaska airlines. But no companion pass offered.
I think most of us are waiting for the card benefits update. Personally I would be happy with a similar program where I can get a certain # of free reserved seats or upgrades. Of course the upgrades will be useless if the good seats fill up weeks in advance as is sometimes the case on UA, DL and AA.
I fully expect early boarding will be included as that does not cannibalize the seat fees and is a no cost perk that AA, UA and DL cards offer.
OH SAMUEL MICHAEL SMITH,
I also have had the companion pass for over 10 years.
BEST TRAVEL LUXAEY/PERK IN ALL (normal not rich people) travel.
90% of flights are full on every airline. Thats how they can afford to fly…
Like me, you will continue to fly SWAL because it is actually going to be better for us. Always in the better seats!
SWAL gets my benefit of the doubt!
More room for AL+!
First, @AC is spot on (but I’d use “through flight” rather than “direct flight”). @CRS is right, too.
@PaulB, they will handle this like all the others. Wheelchair pax will be loaded first, but into the seats they reserved (or were assigned at check in). Have you not flown on an airline that let’s pax reserve seats? “load the wheelchair-bound passengers further back, causing messy disembarcation” what mess? Wheelchair pax stay on the plane until others have left (well the ones using thecwheelchair to exit).
I for one am all for assigned seating. I fly often for work. 4-5 times per month sometimes. Anymore I have avoided SW and used the 3 legacy any chance I get because of the horrible open seating. My job books day of or a day in advance at best because of the nature of my work. I still have flown SW 6 tomes this year, but that number would’ve been MUCH higher if I didnt constantly get horrible seating and could choose my seat. I’ll gladly pay extra to avoid the middle seat. I will absolutely fly SW more now that they let me pick my seat instead of rolling the dice. Hell, even the few times I could get an A 1-15 position the “wheelchair crowd” took all of bulkhead and front of the plane seats or tried to save them for others. They will get more business from me.
@AC, speak for yourself. I travel about half the year, and Southwest allows me to get decent seats regardless of when I book (which is frequently with little notice), and since the base fare includes baggage, I can slip that through reimbursement without trouble. Bye bye Southwest
To all who say ‘bye bye southwest’ because of the new boarding policy, where are you all going? You do realize every other airline in America has assigned seating. Will you just not fly anymore to prove a point? Take the train perhaps?
The obsession to make money off the whiners and entitled has no limits
Bob … Gary….come on – how can you sleep at night? Herb would be rolling over in his grave on your plans to eliminate open seating. Assigned seating is not for me!
Bought business select for my wife and I, there were so many pre-boarders, we ended up ten seats back. That was the last time, hence, I found the cheapest tickets to purchase on this “cattle call.” Started buying early bird and we are always in B group, and always ended up at the back of the plane. Can’t wait for this mess to end.
We vacation in the Caribbean three times per year and SW is the only direct flight.
I have been a loyal SW customer for 6 years, flying 6 times a month, loyalty should mean something, now that loyalty will mean nothing, the other airlines do offer perks to flyers like me, so I will see the effect SW change will affect me, I will look to United, they have some attractive incentives that would sway me to change if SW botches thing up.
People don’t understand that the “two free checked bags” are NOT free. Those fees are hidden in the air fare. Their fares are expensive now and those bag fees are included whether people believe it or not!
Their model is outdated and doesn’t work anymore. Also putting their eggs in one basket in several departments like using one aircraft type is hurting them. Sometimes you need to spend money to make money in a large business. Hats off to the smarter legacy carriers!
JANUARY 1, 2030. Southwest Airlines announces two new policies in air travel, “sit anywhere you want” (choose your neighbor, no assigned seating) and after several years of charging for a checked bag, “two fee checked bags.” Additionally since peanut allergies are no longer an issue, due to better living through PFI Pharma (holding company for several US airlines), “LUV BITES” have returned to all flights. For a limited time, SWA guests paying full Anytime fares will get a free bottle of Wild Turkey .
If I am reading this correctly A list gets shafted if u want extra leg room guaranteed since u have to wait until 48 hours before flight in case A list preferred wants to buy those seats. I can buy the better seats on AA at time of booking and not have to “yet again” play the time game with SWA
@Dave W – I used “direct” specifically because that is what the flights are. I realize many people use “direct” when they mean non-stop but they are not the same thing. A direct flight is from point A to point B with 1 or more stops that keeps the same flight number for the entire flight. I used to live in the Dallas area and, years ago, due to the Wright Amendment Southwest couldn’t fly from Love Field to Las Vegas. However, they could fly Love Field to El Paso (or Albuquerque) then to Las Vegas keeping the same flight number. This was a “direct” flight as opposed to AA from DFW to LAS which is non-stop. On direct flights with a stop SW lets people stay on board which really messes up the groupings for those who think they may get a good seat. Assigned seating changes all that – Thank God.
BTW for those that ask how people in wheelchairs are handled, just like all the other airlines. They have an assigned seat and they go to it. They are not loaded into the bulkheads and then make people who had those seats sit elsewhere. Man are people that clueless about air travel? Sad!
Seating policy is a major reason I avoid LUV as much as I can.
The seat baggers and their stupid games turn me off. “Jesus flights” make me facepalm and walk away to legacy carriers and the (predictable) pain they inflict.
Don’t care much for checked in bags because I (like most biz travelers) teavel light. And in most cases, a few months of flying (or a credit card) will get you enough status to check in an occasional bag.
Best decision for LUV in the recent past. Once that goes in, I might fly LUV.
LUV, now get off Windows 95!
My view is that this is a good thing since it is going to cut down on the line cutters Game that is being played, Allows us to select Better seats, but also allow open seating in other areas. Southwest is a good airline and improving services while still providing many of their unique offerings will help the company
Personally this will make me fly SW less. Being able to jump on a last minute flight and board at the end of A list is a big reason I fly SW almost exclusively.
We currently have the A-list status and the credit card. We’ve spent thousands this year and flew at least 12 to 15 times this year for leisure. We are not fans of this new seating and now don’t see the value in our credit card or choosing Southwest over the other airlines. I hope this doesn’t spell the end to Southwest!!!!
We will be choosing a different airline at this point. One thing I loved about This airline was the seating? It gives you the freedom to sit anywhere for For anyone now it’s gonna seem like If you don’t have enough, you have to sit to the back. Reminds me of slavery and I will
Not support that. No thanks
Will I pay extra to be seated in the very front? I can’t walk the length of the plane & it’s tiresome to listen to people complain about people like me that can’t do as they do or pay as they can..I Fly from Alabama to CO 3 times a year to visit my mom in the nursing home..I will never be on that frequent flyer A list..so I think it’s shameful for you to treat people like me as if we’re not worthyy because we were 1st on the plane..you should have something set into your new rules that you still take care of us who need it..I physically cannot walk ten feet before I lose the functioning of my legs that usually takes hours to get back..how does an assigned seat help me mid seating or the very back..
I like the open seating idea as I generally fly business select but, the preboarding BS is out of control and has ruined that. I’m happy to know I’ll be able to get the seat off my choice as a Preferred member. It will be nice to also not have to pay an extra $60 to be sure my wife can sit by me when she Flys as my companion. Just like everything now days, there are a few that screw up a good thing for the majority.
Every letter is me me me…..
SW is a business and must do whatever it needs to do.
To be honest every traveler buys their ticket based on travel times, destination or some other personal need…not how the airline seats their customer.
I have also benefitted from their wheelchair policy (which is just like any other airline) and for a time was very grateful. Remember in no time at all it could be you needing that help.
Well isn’t this dandy. I get to travel 1 to 2 times a year, if possible. It’s things like this new policy that drives me further away from flying. It is no longer enjoyable. We are squashed like sardines, no room for carry-ons. People fighting for a certain seat. SW has created another nightmare. Thanks for nothing.
Quite informative analysis of the possible Southwest’s changes in assigned seating-space division! That is nice to find out how it may have been beneficial before to A-List perks & Companion Pass conditions. I look forward to seeing how this gets developed!
Jordan said, “give customers the experiences they prefer” and he either lied or does not understand his client base. The two most significant sales are the A-List Plus folks and the fly once a year depending on the low price gang. This sad solution will make my A-List Plus marginally better by making it impossible for anyone on a “wanna getaway” fare to end up sitting next to me in the front row. As a family of four we are always rewarded a companion pass for myself and player two so anywhere we travel is BOGO on SW. I cannot get anywhere close to that point value on another airline so I’ll remain loyal. Transversely, someone flying alone with the ability to get top tier loyalty rewards would greatly benefit a true first class or even a business class over SW shenanigans. On the B side the lowly once a year traveler that could not win at the old system will be much worse off in the new regime as they will now have no choice in seating assignment (same as Frontier) and no doubt be deligated to the exact back of the bus. I’ll use my free drinks to toast to everyone in the back complaining that Spirit has Cup Noodles® (Sweet Chili Flavor) and Frontier has cute animal on the tail. Walking in the middle of the road is dangerous but I wonder if they’ll bring round pre-departure drinks so I can wink and smile as the laggards walk the plank toward the Children’s zoo to the rear.