When Southwest Airways shifts to assigned seating a couple of yr from now, its elite members will be capable of choose an extra-legroom seat without spending a dime. And people members will not be topic to a few of the tightest seating restrictions set to be imposed on its Wanna Get Away fares sooner or later.
The Dallas-based provider quietly up to date its web site that lays out in depth modifications deliberate on the airline — and within the course of provided a sneak peek at what 2026 will carry for its Fast Rewards A-Listing and A-Listing Most popular members.
As a reminder, Southwest earlier this yr introduced it will start promoting assigned and extra-legroom seats in late 2025, for flights departing in early 2026. The transfer shall be a dramatic departure from the provider’s signature open-seating coverage that is been round for half a century.
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Executives on the airline provided a big-picture overview of its industrial overhaul in September however held off on sharing too many particulars about how the shift to assigned and extra-legroom seating would have an effect on its Fast Rewards loyalty program, elite standing or the Companion Move.
Now, we’re getting a (barely) higher sense — as View from the Wing was first to identify.
Seating perks for A-Listing members
As soon as assigned seating goes stay, members who maintain entry-level Southwest A-Listing elite standing shall be granted a couple of perks associated to seating.
Free most popular seats at reserving
For starters, A-Listers will be capable of choose normal “up entrance” seats without spending a dime.
A bit context: Southwest in September shared that it plans to finally cost further for some seats on its planes — not simply extra-legroom seats, but additionally normal ones located nearer to the entrance of the plane; suppose the “most popular” seats for which lots of the largest U.S. carriers presently cost a premium.
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This profit will apply even to A-Listing members flying on Southwest’s lowest-level Wanna Get Away fares. In September, Southwest stated that Wanna Get Away fares won’t embrace complimentary seat choice sooner or later — however we now know all elite members will be capable of skirt this restriction.
Further-legroom seats nearer to departure
Maybe extra considerably, A-Listing members may also be allowed to pick extra-legroom seats at no added value inside 48 hours of departure — pending availability, in fact.
Seating perks for A-Listing Most popular members
In the meantime, higher-level A-Listing Most popular members will be capable of choose any seat on Southwest flights without spending a dime at reserving. That features extra-legroom seats.
Plus, Companion Move members shall be allowed to pick a seat for his or her designated touring companion — and their elite standing seating advantages will prolong to that passenger, as nicely.
Modifications abound at southwest
These seating advantages aren’t totally stunning. Southwest executives in September hinted its industrial overhaul might unlock new potential seating advantages for sure Fast Rewards members, from A-Listing elite members to its bank card holders.
To that finish, the provider has not but shared what’s in retailer for its cardmembers; its web site notes that these prospects “can look ahead to info in Spring 2025 concerning upcoming card journey advantages.”
With respect to seating, how Southwest is dealing with its new extra-legroom seats for elite members is paying homage to a number of different U.S. carriers’ insurance policies.
As an example, American Airways AAdvantage Gold members can choose Predominant Cabin Further seats without spending a dime inside 24 hours of departure; higher-level elite members can choose these extra-legroom rows at reserving. Different airways have comparable, laddered insurance policies in place.
What about boarding?
Southwest’s web site that lays out its forthcoming modifications nonetheless describes its hallmark numbered boarding course of, with elite standing members incomes the suitable to have their spot in line reserved 36 hours earlier than departure.
It is not clear what extra modifications, if any, may be on the horizon for Southwest’s boarding course of. This fall, executives stated the airline anticipated to maintain the essence of its distinctive boarding procedures intact even because it shifts to assigned seating, with prospects lining up, single-file, alongside its signature boarding space posts.
Nevertheless, it appears a probable wager some tweaks to the method might come amid an assigned seating and extra-legroom panorama.
“We look ahead to sharing extra in Spring 2025,” a Southwest spokesperson advised TPG on Monday when requested concerning the modifications shared on the provider’s web site.
What’s not altering?
Southwest says all Fast Rewards members will proceed to earn and redeem factors on the similar price as right now. The airline additionally made clear, in September, that its coverage permitting two free checked baggage for each passenger will proceed.
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