New Details About Southwest Seat Selection and Boarding Process

Updated: July 21, 2025, 12:10pm CDT

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Choose Your Seats on Southwest, Beginning July 29
New Southwest Boarding Groups
Final Thoughts

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Southwest Airlines announced sweeping changes to its operations earlier this year, and now we know more about what to expect, including details about seat selection and how the new boarding process will work.

The airline announced that passengers will be able to select seats at the time of booking beginning on July 29, 2025, for flights starting on January 27, 2026. The new boarding process will also begin on January 27, 2026.

So, how will it all work? Let’s jump into the details of Southwest’s new assigned seating system and boarding process.

Choose Your Seats on Southwest, Beginning July 29

Beginning on July 29, 2025, passengers will be able to select seats for flights starting on January 27, 2026.

When and if you will be able to select your seat and what type of seat you can select will depend on several factors, including what type of fare you purchased, whether you have Southwest elite status, and whether you have a Southwest credit card.

There will be 3 types of seats to choose from: Standard, Preferred, or Extra Legroom.

Standard seats will have standard legroom and will be in the back of the plane.
Preferred seats will have standard legroom and will be toward the front of the plane.
Extra Legroom seats will offer up to 5 extra inches of legroom and will be located in the very front of the plane and in the exit rows. (Available on 737-700 aircraft only).

Southwest Airlines new seat types — There will be 3 types of seats to choose from — Standard, Preferred, or Extra Legroom. Image Credit: Southwest Airlines

Your fare type will determine when and if you can select your seat:

Basic: Standard seat will be assigned at check-in.
Choice: Select a Standard seat at the time of booking.
Choice Preferred: Select a Standard or Preferred seat at the time of booking.
Choice Extra: Select any seat, including Extra Legroom seats, at the time of booking.

Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred members will be able to select seats regardless of what fare type was purchased.

Southwest A-List members can choose a Preferred seat at booking and will be able to access Extra Legroom seats (if available) 48 hours prior to departure.
Southwest A-List Preferred members can choose Extra Legroom seats at the time of booking.

Additionally, Southwest credit cardholders will have seat benefits that vary by card.

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Southwest Credit Card	Seat Selection Benefits
Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card	Select a Standard seat within 48 hours of departure on any fare type, including Basic.
Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Plus Business Credit Card (no longer available)
Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Premier Credit Card	Select a Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours of departure on any fare type, including Basic.
Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Premier Business Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card	Select a Standard or Preferred seat at booking on any fare (including Basic). Upgraded to an Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours, when available.
Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card

New Southwest Boarding Groups

Beginning on January 27, 2026, Southwest will begin using a new boarding process. Instead of the current boarding process that uses 3 groups from A to C, the new system will have 8 groups, which is more in line with other legacy carriers.

Groups 1 and 2 will include Choice Extra fares, anyone who purchases an upgrade to Extra Legroom, A-List Preferred members, and A-List members who upgraded to an Extra Legroom seat.

Groups 3 to 5 will include Choice Preferred fares, A-List members, and Rapid Rewards credit cardholders.

Groups 6 to 8 will include Choice and Basic fares.

Any customer will be able to purchase Priority Boarding starting 24 hours before departure.

Bottom Line:

Assigned seating and a new boarding process on Southwest Airlines will begin on January 27, 2026. Passengers will be able to select seats for future flights starting on July 29, 2025.

Final Thoughts

We now know more about the changes Southwest announced earlier this year. Beginning on July 29, 2025, you’ll be able to start selecting seats for flights starting on January 27, 2026. When and if you will be able to select your seat (versus having it assigned at check-in) will be determined by the fare type, Southwest elite status, and whether you have a Southwest credit card.