Flying Southwest? Big Changes Coming to Seats, Fares, and Baggage Rules

The floodgates of change are wide open for Southwest Airlines as they continue to roll out an avalanche of updates to their operations. In conjunction with an overhaul of their fare classes, Southwest announced some new perks for those who hold status or one of their co-branded credit cards earlier this week. These updates align with a few of the other major changes they announced earlier this year, including their new assigned seating and checked bag policies. 

New Southwest Fare Classes

As was previously announced, Southwest’s famed ‘Wanna Get Away’ fare will be rebranded simply as ‘Basic’ beginning on May 28, when the airline shifts to their new assigned seating policy.

Photo: Courtesy of Stephen Keller / Southwest Airlines

Then, beginning sometime in the third quarter of 2025 (for flights starting in 2026), there will be three more tiered fare bundles: Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra. Details of all of these new fare bundles are outlined on Southwest’s website. 

Revamped Seating Selections

Coinciding with the new fare classes and assigned seating policy, Southwest has also revealed its new cabin layout and seat selection options that will be implemented in 2026. There will be three seat choices available on all flights: Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom.

The fare class of your purchased ticket determines your seat selection options. Customers with Basic and Choice fares can select Standard seats, though Basic fare customers will have their seats assigned at check-in. Those with Choice Preferred fares can choose Preferred seats, while customers with Choice Extra fares can select Extra Legroom seats.

Photo: Courtesy of Southwest

It’s important to keep in mind that the seats in all three cabin classes are essentially the same. The Extra Legroom seats offer more seat pitch for added comfort. However, the only distinction between Preferred and Standard seats is their location; Preferred seats are closer to the front of the cabin.

Benefits for Status Holders

While standard Southwest customers will be held to these new seat selection parameters, those who hold status will have specialized benefits at the time of booking, regardless of the fare class that is purchased.

A-List Preferred passengers will be able to select Extra Legroom seats at the time of booking, while A-List passengers will be able to select Preferred seats with the ability to select Extra Legroom (pending availability) 48 hours before departure. Beginning on May 28, these passengers will also have baggage benefits under the airline’s overall shift away from their “two bags fly free” policy.

Photo: Courtesy of Southwest Airlines

A-List Preferred customers will still get two free checked bags, while A-List customers will get their first bag checked for free. These baggage benefits will also be available for up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation. 

Benefits for Credit Card Holders

Customers who hold one of Southwest’s co-branded credit cards will also receive seat selection benefits regardless of the fare class that is purchased:

• Priority and Performance Business: select Preferred seating at booking, with the ability to upgrade to Extra Legroom within 48 hours of departure pending seat availability. 
• Premier and Premier Business: select Preferred seating within 48 hours of departure, when available. 
• Plus and Business Plus: select Standard seating within 48 hours of departure, when available. 

Furthermore, beginning on May 28, all Southwest credit card holders (as well as up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation) will receive their first checked bag for free.

Rapid Rewards Now a BILT Transfer Partner

In unrelated Southwest news, it was recently announced that Southwest’s Rapid Rewards loyalty program is now a partner of BILT Rewards. Those who hold BILT points can now transfer those points to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio.