Starting Jan. 27, 2026, passengers flying Southwest Airlines will no longer choose seats at the gate. The Dallas-based airline will roll out assigned seating for the first time in its 53-year history, marking what the company calls a major transformation of its in-flight experience.

Open seating has been Southwest’s signature approach since its founding. But beginning Tuesday, July 29, passengers can book tickets with assigned seats for travel beginning next year.

As part of the change, Southwest has released a seating diagram showing new fare bundles. The first five rows of each aircraft will feature “extra legroom” seats, providing about five additional inches of space. Exit row seats will continue to offer expanded legroom, while “preferred” seats offer faster deplaning from the front of the aircraft, albeit with less space. All seats behind the exit rows will be designated as “standard.”

So far, about 200 planes, roughly one-quarter of Southwest’s fleet, have been reconfigured to accommodate the new seating model.

Another big change is how passengers board. Gone are the familiar “A,” “B,” and “C” groups and the lineup poles at the gate. The new system introduces eight boarding groups, with a passenger’s group based on factors such as fare paid, loyalty status, and seat location.

The airline said it has tested the new process both through real-life trials and computer simulations to ensure boarding times remain efficient.

Southwest leaders say the shift was driven by customer demand and evolving industry standards. According to the company, 80% of existing customers and 86% of potential customers prefer knowing their seats in advance. The change aligns Southwest more closely with other major U.S. airlines and is part of a broader effort to increase revenue through premium offerings and fare flexibility.

Despite the shift, the airline’s longstanding perks, like two free checked bags, will remain in place.

Assigned seating will go into effect Jan. 27, 2026, but travelers can start booking those flights as soon as July 29. Open seating will still be in place through the rest of 2025, including summer and the holiday season.