Why Southwest Now Uses Assigned Seating and How It Works

As of January 27, 2026, Southwest Airlines no longer has an open seating policy. Here's how Southwest now boards its aircraft and why it chose to go this route.

Southwest Airlines Makes Major Change Today After 50 Years

For the first time in more than 50 years, passengers flying on Southwest Airlines won't have unassigned seating. The change ...
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Southwest Just Rolled Out Its Most Controversial Policy Change—What to Know

The airline ends its decades-long open seating model and updates its extra seat refund policy amid broader shifts.

Why Southwest Airlines’ stock soared to its highest close in years

Wall Street cheered news that Southwest’s transformation appears to be taking hold.

A major airline just ended a 50-year tradition

The airline’s move aligns it with industry norms and follows other major changes to its long-standing policies.

After 53 years of open seating, Southwest implements assigned seating

The introduction of assigned seating comes with other changes such as the addition of premium seating options and a new ...

Southwest Airlines ends open seating after 50 years

Washington Post travel reporter Natalie Compton took two Southwest flights on Jan. 27, the first day of the company's switch ...

Southwest Airlines (LUV) flies to 4-year high on end of 'open seating' era

We recently published 10 Big Names With Explosive Gains. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) was one of the top performers on Thursday. Southwest Airlines soared to a new four-year high on Thursday, ...