3 Reasons Why It Might Not Even Be Worth Flying Southwest Anymore

Flying Southwest used to be kind of a no-brainer… but things are changing fast.

For years, this airline had a reputation for being simple, affordable, and traveler-friendly — you could count on two free checked bags, a casual open seating vibe, and none of the nickel-and-diming you’d find on other airlines. But lately, the “friendly skies” are feeling a lot more corporate. From new seat charges to fewer flights, things are shifting. If you’re a loyal Southwest flyer, here’s why it might not even be worth it anymore.

Assigned Seats Are Coming (And the Free-for-All Is on the Way Out)

One of the biggest things that set Southwest apart was its open seating policy. You didn’t pick a seat ahead of time — you just checked in early and hoped for a good boarding group. It was chaotic, sure, but also kind of fun (if you played the game right). But those days are almost over.

During an Investor Day event last fall, Southwest confirmed that it’s planning to roll out assigned seating starting in 2026, with the option to book a reserved seat available as soon as late 2025. Yes, open seating will still exist for a little while longer, but the writing’s on the wall. The airline admitted that 80% of its customers actually prefer assigned seats, so it’s switching things up — but only if you’re willing to pay for it.

That means if you don’t want to be stuck in a middle seat (or separated from your travel buddy), you’ll need to fork over some extra cash. Suddenly, Southwest doesn’t feel quite so budget-friendly anymore.

Another update coming to Southwest planes? Extra Legroom seats — for an extra fee, of course. The airline has rolled out these new premium seats with 5 more inches of legroom. They’ll be on every Southwest plane by the end of 2025, beginning with the 737-800s and MAX 8s.

Yes, more legroom sounds nice, especially on long flights. But here’s the catch: you’ll only get access to those seats (and early boarding privileges) if you pay for them or have top-tier status. This is a big shift from how Southwest used to operate.

Not only are they changing how you sit on the plane, they’re now literally re-pitching the existing seats to make room for this new premium section. Which, let’s be honest, probably means the rest of us are getting a little less space overall.

“Bags Fly Free” Is Going Away (for Most of Us)

Let’s rip off the Band-Aid: starting May 28, 2025, “bags fly free” will be mostly over.

This was one of Southwest’s most iconic perks — no matter who you were, you got two free checked bags. It was a huge reason many travelers stuck with them over other low-cost airlines. But now, only Business Select flyers and Rapid Rewards A-List Members will keep that benefit. Everyone else? One free checked bag if you have certain credit cards or status. Otherwise, you’ll be paying up.

What makes this sting even more is that just a few months ago, the CEO was still promising that the policy wasn’t going anywhere. Now, it feels like a classic bait and switch.

Fewer Flights Are Coming in 2025

Planning a trip later this year or early next? You might find fewer Southwest flights to choose from. The airline is pulling back — citing weaker domestic bookings and economic uncertainty.

According to CNBC, Southwest will reduce its flight capacity in the second half of 2025, and it’s already predicting a drop in revenue for the second quarter of the year. If you live in a smaller city or fly out of a less busy airport, this might hit you hard — fewer options mean higher prices and more connections.

So, not only are you paying more for seating and bags, but it may also be harder to even find a convenient Southwest flight to begin with.

Southwest used to be the quirky, reliable choice that didn’t nickel-and-dime you like other airlines. But between the loss of free bags, fewer flights, extra fees for legroom, and the end of open seating, that version of Southwest might be disappearing for good. We’ll keep watching these changes and let you know what else is coming — but for now, it might be time to start comparing other airlines a little more seriously.

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you! They’ll keep an eye on all of the best deals so you don’t have to.

As always, be sure to keep following AllEars for more Disney news.

Why I Use TSA PreCheck When Traveling to Disney World

Have you changed how you feel about flying Southwest? Tell us in the comments! 

Post a Comment