NEW Southwest Airlines Rule Begins Next Week

Southwest Airlines is making a move that nobody saw coming a few years ago.

Next week, on January 27th, Southwest is rolling out one of the most significant changes in the airline’s entire history. If you’ve flown Southwest before, you know they’ve always done things their own way, but that’s about to end. Starting next Monday, Southwest is ditching the one thing that made them different from every other airline out there, and we’re breaking down everything you need to know.

The Boarding Number System is Going Away

If you’ve ever flown Southwest, you know the drill. Check in as early as possible, get assigned a boarding number, line up in order, and then pick whatever seat you want when you board the plane. It’s been Southwest’s signature move for decades, and travelers either loved it or hated it.

But next week, that entire system disappears. Southwest is switching to assigned seating, which means you’ll be told exactly where to sit when you book your flight. No more freedom to choose, no more racing to check in at the 24-hour mark, no more strategizing about which row to grab. Honestly, it’s kind of wild to see Southwest abandon one of the core things that set them apart, but here we are.

How the New Seat Categories Work

Starting January 27th, Southwest is dividing its planes into three pricing tiers, and your seat location depends on which tier you select (and how much you pay).

Extra Legroom is at the top. These seats are in the forward cabin with additional legroom, including exit rows. This tier boards first with Groups 1 and 2, and as you’d expect, these are the priciest seats on the plane.
Preferred Seats fall in the middle. You’ll get standard legroom in the forward and middle sections of the cabin. Passengers in this category board with Groups 3 through 5, so you’re somewhere in the middle of the pack. These seats cost more than Standard but less than Extra Legroom.
Standard Seats are the budget tier. These are whatever’s left after the other two categories have been filled, which typically means middle and rear cabin seats (and yes, lots of middle seats). This group boards last with Groups 6 through 8, and these are the cheapest seats available.

What Happens to Passengers Who Need Extra Space

Southwest is also changing its policy for travelers who require more than one seat, and this is a pretty significant shift. Right now, passengers who need additional space aren’t required to buy a second seat ahead of time. Southwest provides extra seats when they’re available, and passengers can request refunds after their flight.

Next week, that policy changes completely. Passengers needing more than one seat will have to purchase the extra seat in advance and pay any applicable seat fees before boarding. Refunds will still be possible after you fly, but only if both seats are in the same fare class, you submit the refund request within 90 days, and the plane had at least one available seat. There’s a slim chance you could get a refund even on a full flight if some seats were being held for off-duty employees.

Boarding Groups Replace Boarding Numbers

The way you actually board the plane is getting overhauled next week, too. Instead of the old numerical system where you’d line up in exact order, Southwest will use boarding groups like every other airline.

Your boarding pass will show which group you’re in (ranging from 1 to 8), and you’ll board when your group gets called. If you paid for Extra Legroom, you’re boarding early. If you went with Standard, you’re bringing up the rear. The good news? Boarding might be slightly less chaotic since you don’t have to find your exact spot in a numbered line. The bad news? You lose all control over where you sit once you’re on the plane.

Don’t Sleep on Your Elite Status Perks

If you have status with Southwest or you’re a credit card holder, make sure you’re using those benefits under the new system.

A-List Preferred members get free Extra Legroom seats, which is a huge perk considering those are the most expensive seats. A-List members can select a free Preferred Seat, saving you money on the middle-tier option.
Southwest credit card holders get one free checked bag, which matters a lot now that Southwest has eliminated free checked bags for everyone else. Credit card holders are also guaranteed boarding group 5, so you won’t end up in the absolute last boarding group.

Southwest Just Lost Its Unique Edge

Let’s be real: starting next week, there’ll basically be nothing that separates Southwest from Delta, American, United, or any other major airline. The assigned seating, the boarding groups, the tiered pricing. It’s all the same stuff you’d encounter anywhere else.

If you loved Southwest specifically because of their unique boarding system, next week is going to sting. But if you’ve always flown other airlines and found Southwest’s process confusing, you’ll probably appreciate the change. Either way, if you’re planning to fly Southwest anytime after January 27th, you need to understand how these new rules work. The last thing you want is to show up at the airport expecting the old system and being totally lost when everything’s different.