Heres what boarding a Southwest flight will be like in 2026

For more than 50 years, Southwest Airlines has stood out from the pack in the airline industry by offering open seating. Beginning Jan 27, 2026, that coverage will be over, as assigned seating turns into the norm.

The provider has been shifting in this direction since July of 2024, when it announced plans to offer assigned seating. Now it is prepared to commit. And, just as with other carriers, frequent flyers have the most to gain, while funds vacationers are probably to really feel slighted.

The Wall Street Journal acquired a sneak peek at how Southwest will transition from boarding positions to boarding teams — and what vacationers can anticipate.

Passengers will be boarded in eight separate teams. This, the airline says, will remove the push of passengers who strive to get on board before it is their flip. If you are flying in first class (another pretty new characteristic on the provider) or are one of the most frequent of flyers, you will robotically be in Group 1 or 2. From there, flyers with window seats will board, then those in center seats and aisles, beginning in the back of the airplane.

That may tick off passengers who are sitting toward the entrance of the airplane but not in first class, as their later boarding teams may imply they lose out on overhead carry-on space.

Southwest is offering a workaround for that, but just like people who need to skip the road at theme parks, you will have to pay further.

The Priority Boarding option will allow you to get on board the airplane before even Groups 1 or 2. Prices for that last-minute option will be dynamic and range relying on the route. The Journal notes that on a current Phoenix-Dallas flight, Priority Boarding price $93 one-way.