Southwest Airlines announces when it will transition to assigned seating, end open seating practice

For now, the open seating model will remain in place until the scheduled transition in 2026.Photo byKyle FritzonUnsplash

Dallas, TX – Southwest Airlines announced Thursday that it will implement assigned seating for passengers starting in the first half of 2026. The airline plans to begin booking assigned seats in the second half of 2025 for flights departing the following year.

The timeline was revealed during Southwest’s “Investor Day,” where the company provided further details about its departure from the traditional "open seating" model, which has been a hallmark of the airline for over five decades.

Southwest first announced its intention to move to assigned seating in July, citing customer preferences. According to the airline, 80% of Southwest travelers and 86% of passengers who choose other airlines prefer assigned seating. The current open-seating policy has been identified as a primary reason some customers opt for other carriers.

For now, the open seating model will remain in place until the scheduled transition in 2026.