Why Southwest Fliers Are Suddenly Spending $100 More on Flights

Southwest Airlines travelers really are paying more now than they ever have before — it isn’t just in your imagination.

If you’ve booked a Southwest flight lately — especially for 2026 travel — it’s safe to say you’ve noticed some changes. Open seating is dying, and the free checked bag policy is no more. The changes have been controversial — to say the least — and a new ticket-add-on won’t alleviate people’s concerns.

After more than 50 years of “open seating” and a simple fare structure, Southwest Airlines is rolling out something totally new that’s reshaping how we choose seats and how much we shell out for them.

January 27th, 2026, is the day Southwest loyalists have been dreading. For years, Southwest’s boarding system was all about open seating. You were assigned a boarding group and number, lined up when called, and then (once on the plane) made a claim on whatever seat you wanted as long as it was vacant. However, January 27th is the day it all changes.  On that day, assigned seating replaces open seating on all flights going forward.

This dramatic shift is the last remaining ounce of uniqueness Southwest once boasted, as it now enters a pool of airlines that do something similar.

However, Southwest is doing something slightly different by offering new fare bundles that come with a premium price tag depending on your seat choice. The tiers are as follows:

Basic

This is Southwest’s stripped-down fare that includes assigned standard seats (no extras), the last boarding group, and fees for checked bags.

Choice

This is a standard seat, plus the ability to pick your seat at booking. You pay a little more money for peace of mind, and you can choose special seats that are by the window or aisle, for example.

Choice Preferred

This next tier provides seats closer to the cockpit and earlier boarding groups for a premium price.

Choice Extra

This fare includes Extra Legroom seats, early boarding (often Groups 1–2), free checked bags, and even some perks like premium drinks and snacks on longer flights.

You read that right. Extra Legroom isn’t free anymore and is now considered a premium seating category that you must buy. Usually bundled into higher fare types, this perk actually includes dedicated seats that are located at the front of the cabin and near exit rows. These seats — which can also be added on to the Basic offering for an additional price — offer up to 3–5 more inches of space versus the standard rows, plus early access to overhead bin space and (for Choice Extra passengers) other perks like the complimentary premium beverages and enhanced snacks I mentioned.

In practice, these extra legroom seats are ideal for long flights where stretching comes in handy, or if you’re 6 feet or taller and could really benefit from the added room.

Keep in mind, however, that the extra comfort comes with a price tag that can easily add $30-$150 or more, depending on route demand, your fare bundle, and how early you book.

For research purposes, we tested out the bundles for a flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Orlando (MCO) — two main hubs that connect the domestic Disney Resorts, and we got some rough estimates. 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.

If you’re an A-List or credit card member, you still get a leg up. Depending on your status and card, you could still get free seat selection or the ability to upgrade into premium seating without paying extra upfront. Admittedly, that does soften the sting.

But for everyone else, flying with Southwest will naturally cost more.

This change is nearly upon us, for better or worse. We’ll be covering Southwest’s new policies along with all the latest air travel trends and updates, so make sure keep it posted right here at AllEars to stay in the know.

This Southwest Change Will Make Traveling 10X EASIER

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How are you feeling about all of Southwest’s policy changes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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