When Southwest Airlines shifts to assigned seating about a year from now, its elite status members will be able to opt for extra legroom for free. And, those members won’t be subject to some of the stricter seating restrictions imposed on its Wanna Get Away fares in the future.
The Dallas-based carrier quietly updated it website which represents sweeping changes planned at the airline — and in the process offers a glimpse of what 2026 will bring to its Rapid Rewards A-List and A-List Preferred members.
As a reminder, Southwest announced earlier this year that it would begin selling assigned and extra-legroom seats for flights departing in late 2025, early 2026. The move would be a dramatic departure from the carrier’s signature open seating policy that has been in place for nearly half a century. century
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The airline’s executives offered a big-picture overview of its commercial overhaul in September, but refrained from sharing many details about how the shift to assigned and extra legroom seating would affect its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, elite status or its companion pass.
Now, we’re getting a (slightly) better understanding — viz View from the wing got the first place.
Seating benefits for A-list members
Once an assigned seat goes live, members who hold entry-level Southwest A-List Elite status will receive a few seat-related benefits.
Free seat selection at time of booking
For starters, A-listers will be able to choose standard “up front” seats for free.
A little context: Southwest shared that in September It eventually plans to charge extra for some seats on its planes — not just the extra legroom seats, but also the standard seats near the front of the aircraft; Think of the “preferred” seats that many major US carriers currently charge a premium for.
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This benefit also applies to A-list members flying Southwest’s lowest-level Wanna Get Away fares. In September, Southwest said Wanna Get Away fares wouldn’t include complimentary seat selection in the future — but, we now know, all elite status members will be able to skirt the ban.
Extra-legroom seats are closer to departure
Perhaps more significantly, A-list members will be allowed to select extra legroom seats at no extra cost within 48 hours of departure – subject to availability, of course.
Seating benefits for A-list select members
Meanwhile, high-level A-list Preferred members will be able to select any seat on Southwest flights for free at the time of booking. It includes extra-legroom seats.
Also, Companion Pass members will be allowed to select a seat for their designated travel companion. And, their elite status seating benefits will extend to that passenger as well.
The changes in the Southwest are enormous
These seat gains were not entirely surprising. Southwest executives hinted in September that its business overhaul could unlock new potential seat benefits for certain Rapid Rewards members, from A-list elites to its credit cardholders.
To that end, the carrier has yet to share what it has in store for its card members; Its website notes that those customers “can look forward to information on upcoming card travel benefits in spring 2025.”
In terms of seating, how Southwest handles its new extra legroom seats for elites is reminiscent of the policies of other US carriers.
For example, American Airlines AAdvantage Gold members can select main cabin extra seats for free within 24 hours of departure; High-level elites can choose those extra-legroom rows when booking. Other airlines have similar, staggered policies.
What about boarding?
Southwest’s website showing its upcoming changes still describes its hallmark numbered boarding process, in which elite status members get the right to reserve their spot in line 36 hours before departure.
It’s unclear what additional changes, if any, may be on the horizon for Southwest’s boarding process. This fall, executives said the airline expects to keep the essence of its unique boarding process intact even as it shifts to assigned seating, with customers lining up, single-file, along its signature boarding area posts.
However, it appears that some process changes may occur between an assigned seat and an extra-legroom landscape.
“We look forward to sharing more in spring 2025,” a Southwest spokesperson told TPG on Monday when asked about the changes shared on the carrier’s website.
What doesn’t change?
Southwest says all Rapid Rewards members will continue to earn and redeem points at the same rate as today. The airline also clarified in September that its policy of allowing two free checked bags for each passenger would continue.
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