Southwest Airlines' CEO told investors in a July 24 earnings call that the airline could eventually open its own lounges.

As part of the assigned seating plan, Southwest will move from position-based boarding to group-based boarding. According to the airline, there will be up to eight boarding groups on every flight, and passengers will be assigned a group based on the ticket they purchased and their frequent flyer status with the airline.

Starting July 29, customers can begin booking tickets with seat assignments for flights departing January 27, 2026.

Southwest Airlines' transition to assigned seating follows recent policy changes including the end of their bags fly free policy, prompting mixed reactions from passengers.

Southwest Airlines has announced a major change coming to its current seating system. The Texas-based airline previously had a “pick any seat” policy, allowing customers to purchase tickets in different boarding groups by selecting where they wanted to sit upon boarding the plane.

Southwest Airlines Implements Major Change to Signature Offering originally appeared on Parade. It’s the end of an era at Southwest Airlines.

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines’ fare strategy overhaul ran into trouble when the carrier launched its new “basic” economy tickets in May, forcing changes.

Southwest will assign seats for the first time ever in 2026. Here’s how group boarding will work — and what it means for your next flight.

After Southwest made big changes to its baggage and seating policies, the CEO floated a few more ideas. What's on the table for 2025 and beyond.

The big changes at Southwest Airlines continue. The company has rolled out another pivotal step in its transformation, which executives argue will help improve performance. The company just announced when a major change to booking and boarding procedures will go into effect.

After Southwest made big changes to its baggage and seating policies, the CEO floated a few more ideas. What's on the table for 2025 and beyond.

Southwest Airlines released its second quarter financial results on Wednesday, revealing how making some big changes in the airline is going over with customers. But the report quashed any talk that eliminating its "bags fly free" policy weakened the Dallas carrier's business.