How many boarding groups are there on Southwest in 2026?

Southwest ditched its old boarding process, which used groups A, B, and C, in January 2026, in favor of a more traditional boarding system that has 8 different numbered groups.

Does Southwest board military first?

Southwest gives special consideration to active duty military personnel. Any active-duty military passenger can preboard prior to Group 1.

Can I upgrade my boarding position on Southwest?

Yes, if you would like to upgrade your boarding position, you can purchase priority boarding starting 24 hours before departure. Alternatively, you can upgrade to an Extra Legroom seat, which comes with group 1 or 2 boarding.

Do Southwest A-List customers get any boarding benefits?

Yes, if you’re an A-List member, you board in groups 3 to 5. If you’re an A-List Preferred member or an A-List member who is sitting in an Extra Legroom seat, you board in groups 1 or 2.

Do seniors get to board early on Southwest?

No, Southwest doesn’t have special boarding for seniors. However, if they need assistance, seniors can request to preboard by speaking with the gate agent.

Southwest Boarding Process and Groups Explained: How It Works Now

Updated: March 23, 2026, 8:11am CDT

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Table of Contents

New Southwest Boarding Groups
Southwest Boarding Process in 2026
How To Get a Better Boarding Group on Southwest
Final Thoughts

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Southwest Airlines originally gained popularity in part because it did things a little differently from other airlines. There were no change fees, no checked bag charges, and no assigned seats. However, all of that changed in early 2026, when the airline completely revamped its seating policy, boarding groups, and boarding process.

This post details the new Southwest boarding groups and shows you how the boarding process works now.

New Southwest Boarding Groups

Southwest Airlines used to have a unique boarding process with 3 lettered groups (A, B, and C) and numbers 1 to 60 in each group. That all ended on January 27, 2026, when the new, more traditional boarding process was introduced.

Now, Southwest has 8 numbered boarding groups.

Groups 1 and 2 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 include Choice Preferred fares, A-List members, and Rapid Rewards credit cardholders.

Groups 6 to 8 include Choice and Basic fares.

Any customer can purchase Priority Boarding starting 24 hours before departure.

New Southwest seats exit row — Booking an Extra Legroom seat, which includes the exit rows, will ensure you board in Group 1 or 2. Image Credit: Katie Corrigan Seemann

Preboarding and Passengers With Disabilities

Preboarding is reserved for passengers who need assistance in boarding or stowing an assistive device. A preboarding designation must be arranged before boarding.

Active-duty military with a valid ID can also use preboarding.

Customers with disabilities who require preboarding because of a specific seating need or need assistance with a medical device should speak to a ticket or gate agent before boarding begins. If the passenger qualifies, a new boarding pass with a preboarding designation will be issued.

This courtesy extends to 1 travel companion as well — any additional family or friends need to board with their assigned group.

Southwest Boarding Process in 2026

The Southwest boarding process now looks like most other carriers. Boarding groups are called up one at a time in numerical order, and every passenger has an assigned seat.

At the Gate

When it’s time to board the plane, the gate agent first calls preboarders and then groups 1 and 2 to line up. If you’ve flown on Southwest Airlines before, this will feel familiar, except instead of lining up as A1 to A30 and A31 to A60, you line up as group 1, 2, and so on.

New southwest boarding process — Each group is called to line up before boarding. Image Credit: Katie Corrigan Seemann

Once boarding begins, the gate agent starts with preboarding passengers then proceeds to groups 1 through 8 until the plane is fully boarded.

Once you’re on the plane and in your seat, you’re not be allowed to move to another seat, even if it’s available.

Hot Tip: If you’re flying on Southwest Airlines, be sure to familiarize yourself with the Rapid Rewards program. This frequent flyer program offers many ways to earn points (even without flying) and has easy points redemptions with no blackout dates. Southwest flies to many international destinations and Hawaii, so the Rapid Rewards program is one you don’t want to miss.

How To Get a Better Boarding Group on Southwest

There are a few ways to get a better boarding group on Southwest Airlines.

Book a Choice Extra Fare

Choice Extra Fares include Extra Legroom seats and a group 1 or 2 boarding position. However, these are the most expensive tickets, so you need to compare the additional cost to the perks this fare includes.

Book a Choice Preferred Fare

Choice Preferred is the fare class that’s a step down from the top-level Choice Extra fare. These tickets include a Preferred seat and group boarding for 3 to 5.

Upgrade to an Extra Legroom Seat

Extra Legroom seats come with group 1 or 2 boarding. You can upgrade to Extra Legroom seating at the time of booking or later. The cost, which starts around $30 and can go up to well over $80, varies by flight and is charged per segment. If you have a connection, purchasing Extra Legroom seats for your entire journey can get expensive.

Choosing Extra Legroom seating on Southwest — The cost of Extra Legroom seating varies by seat location and flight. Image Credit: Southwest

If you have a Platinum Card^® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express and have selected Southwest as your preferred airline, you can use your $200 airline fee credit to purchase Extra Legroom seats.

Hot Tip:

A-List members can select Extra Legroom seats free of charge (when available) starting 48 hours before departure. A-List Preferred members can select Extra Legroom seats at the time of booking for no charge.

Get a Southwest Credit Card

Holding any Southwest credit card ensures you’ll be assigned to Group 5. If you value priority boarding, that perk could make holding a Southwest card worth it. Southwest cards include:

Get Southwest Elite Status

You can earn elite status on Southwest Airlines through the number of one-way flights you take or through the number of elite qualifying points you earn in a calendar year. Southwest also allows other passengers on the same reservation as the elite member to board at the same time as the elite member.

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Southwest Status Level	Required Number of Qualifying One-Way Flights	Required Number of Tier Qualifying Points
A-List	20	35,000
A-List Preferred	40	70,000

Southwest occasionally runs promotions to help you fast-track your status, or you can try a status match.

Hot Tip: While having a Southwest Companion Pass is a fantastic perk, it does not make you eligible for any type of priority boarding.

Final Thoughts

Southwest’s boarding process used to be unique, but it now feels like boarding on any other airline. You’re assigned a group number from 1 to 8, which determines when you can board the plane. There are several ways to get an early boarding group, including purchasing an Extra Legroom seat, having Southwest elite status, or having a Southwest credit card.