Southwest just revealed more details for its highly-anticipated assigned seating and extra legroom options.
Following CEO Bob Jordan’s summer announcement of eliminating the airline’s open seating policy, we now know more details about which travelers will benefit most from these changes, thanks to a new post on the airline’s site.
Southwest’s entry-level A-List tier passengers — which requires 20 one-way flights or 35,000 elite qualifying points — will be able to select all standard legroom seats at the time of booking, with the opportunity to choose an extra legroom seat within 48 hours of departure at no added cost.
The airlines’ A-List Preferred tier passengers — which requires 40 one-way flights or 70,000 elite qualifying points — will be able to select all available seats at the time of booking, including extra legroom, at no added cost.
Companions on the same reservation will receive these seating benefits, too. A-List and A-List Preferred members will also have priority boarding.
Premium seating options are one of the most significant sources of revenue for Southwest’s competitors, and the carrier’s surveys have shown that its travelers prefer assigned seating. Roughly a third of Southwest’s seats overall will have a premium, extra-legroom setup. They will offer at least three additional inches of legroom, between 34 and 36 inches of pitch.
Southwest hasn’t yet revealed what benefits those with a Rapid Rewards credit card can expect when it comes to seating, though that’s expected to be announced in early 2025. Some co-branded credit cardholders will likely receive assigned seating benefits, too.
Meanwhile, Southwest continues its plans to install USB A and USB C power ports on every plane, including on all-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft delivered to Southwest, and on existing MAX 8 and 737-800 planes over “the next few years.”
Despite these changes, the airline reiterated that its lowest fare offer will still come with two free checked bags, no change or cancellation fees, travel credits that never expire, and starting in 2025, a seat assignment.
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