3 Important Rules to Know Before Flying on Southwest Airlines in 2026

Flying on Southwest Airlines this year is about to be WAY different than ever before, and if you’re planning to travel this year, it’s important to know about the changes well ahead of time.

Southwest announced in 2025 that lots of changes would be coming to their seating, boarding process, and even fare types in 2026, and the time has now come for those changes to start taking place. If you’re flying with the airline this year, don’t let these new rules throw you off!

For years, Southwest Airlines was the ONLY airline that had an open-seat, first-come, first-served seating policy. However, now, that’s all changing.

Seating Changes

Starting on January 27th, 2026, Southwest will move towards an assigned seating structure with several tiers that is going to allow guests to choose where they sit and how much legroom they have.

The seats with more legroom and closer to the front of the plane are going to cost guests more. Unfortunately, this means that the days when you could just book a ticket, check in as soon as you could, and hope you’d be able to choose a good seat by boarding early will soon be gone. Now, everyone will either have to choose a seat ahead of time, or if they’re flying Basic, you’ll have a seat assigned to you, but free seating is no longer an option.

Boarding

Previously, passengers would board in A, B, or C boarding groups (with a number between 1-30 and 31-60) that were based on when you checked in, your priority status, family party status, as well as other factors. Starting on the same date, January 27th, all passengers will be assigned a boarding group between 1 and 8. Your boarding pass will indicate which group you’ll be in, and you’ll want to watch the digital screens in the boarding area to see when it’s time to line up to board, making Southwest’s boarding process much more similar to other airlines.

Boarding groups will be assigned based on how much you’ve paid for your ticket. The tiers will be:

• • Choice Extra Group: 1-2
  • Choice Preferred: Group 3-5
  • Choice: Group 5-8 (may board earlier in certain circumstances)
  • Basic: Last to board (may board earlier in certain circumstances)

If you’re a Rapid Rewards member or a Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers, your status will affect your boarding:

• • A-List Preferred: Group 1-2
  • A-List: Group 1-5
  • Basic and Choice fares: Group 5

There is an option to upgrade to Priority Boarding, which bumps passengers up to Group 1. According to Southwest, “this upgrade is available for purchase starting 24 hours before original scheduled departure and can be bought up to 60 minutes prior to original scheduled departure, if available.” You must book this upgrade with a credit card, and it is priced per flight, per customer.

Seating Choices

The seating choices on board are also changing! Starting January 27th, there will now be three seating tiers, and which one you’re placed in depends on which you choose when booking (and also how much you’re willing to pay). The new tiers are:

• • Standard Seats: The budget tier. This is whatever’s left after the other two categories have been filled, which typically means middle and rear cabin seats (especially middle seats). This group boards last with Groups 6 through 8.
  • Preferred Seats: The middle tier. You’ll get standard legroom in the forward and middle sections of the cabin. Passengers in this category board with Groups 3 through 5.
  • Extra Legroom: The top tier. These seats are in the forward cabin with additional legroom, including exit rows. You’ll board with groups 1 and 2, and be in the most expensive seats on the plane.

It’s also important to note that passengers who need extra room on board will also now have to purchase the extra seat in advance and pay any applicable seat fees before boarding. Refunds may 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
  • The plane had at least one available seat. If the flight is full, the chances of a refund are slim.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on any and all changes regarding Southwest Airlines and other flying news, so stay tuned to AllEars!

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