Southwest Shares More Details on Assigned Seating and Extra Legroom — Including Who Will Get The Perks for Free

Southwest Airlines clarifies its evolving seating strategy, detailing benefits like assigned seating and extra legroom. A-List Preferred and A-List members, alongside specific fare classes, will receive complimentary access to these perks. This change aims to enhance the overall customer experience by offering more choice and comfort. Details on accessing these benefits can be found on the Southwest website.

The Evolution of Southwest's Seating Strategy

While Southwest staunchly defends its open seating policy as a core part of its brand, they've been subtly enhancing the experience for certain passengers. This is primarily through programs like EarlyBird Check-In and Upgraded Boarding, which allow passengers to secure a better boarding position and therefore, a better seat. But the question of truly assigned seating, or at least guaranteed extra legroom, is now becoming more prominent.

Decoding Extra Legroom on Southwest

Southwest doesn't offer "first class" in the traditional sense. However, the coveted exit row seats and the bulkhead seats offer significantly more legroom. These are generally considered the "premium" seating options. Previously, these seats were simply up for grabs during the open boarding process. Now, there are specific ways to increase your chances of snagging one.

Who Gets Extra Legroom (and Maybe Even Assigned Seating)?

Here's a detailed look at who benefits from Southwest's evolving seating strategy:

The following chart outlines different passenger categories and their likelihood of securing extra legroom or preferred seating:

Passenger Category	How They Get Ahead	Likelihood of Extra Legroom
A-List Preferred Members	Automatic check-in 36 hours prior to departure, priority boarding (A1-A15 boarding positions).	High, especially if checking in other passengers as the check in system starts at A1.
A-List Members	Automatic check-in 36 hours prior to departure.	Moderate to High, dependent on how quickly they check in others if applicable.
Passengers with EarlyBird Check-In	Automatically checked in 36 hours before departure, guaranteeing an earlier boarding position.	Moderate, Earlier boarding position but behind A-List.
Passengers who purchased Upgraded Boarding	Guaranteed A1-A15 boarding position (subject to availability).	Very High, Guarantees boarding position from A1-A15 so they will have a high probability.
Passengers with Companion Pass	Companion boards with the primary traveler, benefiting from their boarding position.	Dependent on Primary Traveler's status and actions (e.g. A-List, EarlyBird).
Passengers with a Business Select Fare	Guaranteed A1-A15 boarding position (subject to availability).	Very High, Guarantees boarding position from A1-A15 so they will have a high probability.
General Boarding Passengers	Board in order of check-in time (24 hours prior to departure).	Low, Dependent on when they check in relative to everyone else. The sooner the check in, the better.

Note: Likelihood is a general estimate and can vary depending on the specific flight, time of year, and the number of passengers with priority boarding.

Southwest's Ongoing Experimentation

It's clear that Southwest is continuously experimenting with ways to enhance the passenger experience without abandoning its open seating philosophy entirely. Programs like EarlyBird Check-In and Upgraded Boarding are evidence of this. These features generate ancillary revenue for the airline while providing customers with options to personalize their travel.

The Future of Seating on Southwest

Will Southwest ever fully embrace assigned seating? While unlikely in the near future, the subtle shifts towards preferential treatment suggest a willingness to adapt to evolving customer expectations. The success of these premium seating options hinges on maintaining a balance between providing value to paying customers and preserving the core principles of the Southwest brand.

Tips for Securing Better Seats on Southwest

Even without formal assigned seating, there are strategies you can employ to improve your chances of getting a good seat, including extra legroom:

Book Early: Securing your flight well in advance increases your odds of obtaining an earlier check-in time.

Consider EarlyBird Check-In: If legroom is a priority, the cost of EarlyBird Check-In might be worth it.

Check-In Promptly: Set a reminder and check in exactly 24 hours before your flight.

Travel During Off-Peak Times: Flights that are less crowded offer more seating options.

Monitor the Boarding Groups: Once boarding begins, observe where the A and B groups are settling. You can often gauge if an exit row seat is still available.

By understanding Southwest's current seating practices and utilizing these strategies, you can increase your chances of enjoying a more comfortable and enjoyable flight experience.