Southwest Sets Date for Seat Selection, New Boarding Process

Open seating is on its way out

Additionally, Southwest Airlines just announced that, starting on July 29, 2025, passengers will have the option to select (or not select) a seat during the booking cess

At the same time, Seat assignments will be available for flights departing on and after Jan

Nevertheless, The same day, Southwest will also introduce a group-based boarding cess similar to other airlines

On the other hand, Currently, Southwest has an open seating tocol, where passengers choose a seat based on availability after boarding

However, The change could be good news for Southwest credit cardholders and those with Rapid Rewards elite, who will get access to early seat selection, seat upgrades and preferred boarding

Nevertheless, But if you don’t fall into one of those, you’ll ly be paying more for those benefits, in light of current trends

The data indicates that se changes, part of a larger brand overhaul, were initially announced by Southwest in April

Moreover, In contrast, » MORE: What are your Southwest points worth now, in today's financial world

Furthermore, What should you expect from the “new” Southwest

Rather, you’ll receive a boarding group number between 1 and 8 that’s tied to your loyalty or the fare class of your ticket, similar to other airlines

Furthermore, When you arrive at the gate, you’ll then queue for boarding when your group number is called, along with everyone else in that group, in today's financial world

Seat selectionNew seat typesHistorically, nearly every seat on a Southwest plane was the same size, with no first class or cabin

Additionally, But Southwest is retrofitting their planes with different seat types

Those new seats are associated with new fare classes:Standard seats with standard legroom located near the back of the plane (something worth watching)

In contrast, These seats have 1 inch less pitch than Southwest’s old seats (pitch is the distance between your seat and the seat in front of it)

Moreover, Preferred seats with standard legroom located between the middle and front of the plane, also with less pitch than the old seats

Extra legroom seats with five extra inches of seat pitch located near the front of the plane and in exit rows

New fare types and what you getThe seats available at booking will depend on the fare class you select:Basic (replacing Wanna Get Away): Seat assigned at check-in; boards in Groups 6–8, toward the back of the plane, given the current landscape

However, Moreover, Choice (replacing Wanna Get Away Plus): Select standard seat at booking; boards in Groups 6–8

Choice Preferred (replacing Anytime): Select a preferred or standard seat at booking; boards no later than Group 5, in today's financial world

Moreover, Choice Extra (replacing Select): Select an extra legroom, preferred or standard seat at booking; boards no later than Groups 1–2

Moreover, More benefits for Rapid Rewards elitesIn the new system, elites in Southwest’s Rapid Rewards gram will get access to complimentary upgrades and preferred boarding

On the other hand, The analysis reveals benefits vary by :Elite Seat upgrade accessWhen is the upgrade available

Additionally, Boarding groupA-ListPreferred seats at booking

Extra legroom seats (if available)

Preferred seats at booking

Extra legroom seats 48 hours before departure, if available (noteworthy indeed)

Preferred and Standard seats: Group 5 or earlier

However, Extra legroom seats: Group 1 or 2

A-List PreferredPreferred and extra legroom seats

On the other hand, Moreover, At booking

Additionally, No later than Group 2, amid market uncertainty

Nevertheless, More benefits for Southwest cardholders All Southwest credit cardholders will receive preferred boarding in Group 5 and a seat-selection benefit during booking, even with Basic fares

However, In some cases, they’ll also be able to choose a seat ahead of time and get a Preferred seat

Card nameSeat selection typeWhen is seat selection available

Fare class requirementSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Standard seat, given current economic conditions

Within 48 hours of departure

Moreover, Any fare class

On the other hand, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, in today's financial world

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Standard or Preferred seat (quite telling)

However, In contrast, Within 48 hours of departure

Any fare class, given the current landscape

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Furthermore, Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Credit Card, in today's financial world

At the same time, Standard or Preferred seat (this bears monitoring)

What the Companion Pass

However, Moreover, The Southwest Companion Pass gram remains largely the same as before, with a few new details that explain how the pass works with recent changes, in today's market environment

On the other hand, Companions will also receive the same tier member seating and checked bag benefits as the primary traveler

At the same time, (More on that below, amid market uncertainty. ) Southwest hasn't announced any major changes to the Companion Pass, which you receive by earning 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year

As before, the fastest way to earn points toward a Companion Pass is with a Southwest credit card sign-up bonus (this bears monitoring)

Southwest credit cardsSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardNerdWallet RatingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team, amid market uncertainty

Moreover, The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features

Moreover, Apply nowon Chase's websiteRates & FeesSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardNerdWallet RatingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team, given current economic conditions

The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features

Nevertheless, Learn more Read ReviewRead ReviewWhat these changes mean for travelersWhile a lot of this news was previously announced, we now have a defined date when the changes will be implemented

Nevertheless, Similar to other airlines, Southwest’s new model is built around perks for elites and credit card holders, viding those passengers not only with seat selection and boarding benefits, but also a free checked bag for up to eight passengers on a reservation made by the elite member or primary cardholder, given the current landscape

Nevertheless, Those travelers might see Southwest’s new model as a win, given the current landscape

But if you don’t have or a Southwest credit card, you’ll bably now see Southwest for what it has become: just another airline

Moreover, This demonstrates that information the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been vided or reviewed by the card issuer, in this volatile climate

How to maximize your rewardsYou want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you

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