How Southwest Airlines Seat Assignment Works

Southwest is one of the world's most recognisable and popular airlines which is based in Texas. It offers affordable flights and amazing customer friendly experiences. Not only are the services luxurious but also comfortable and something is yet to come about the sitting and boarding process. After getting the customer feedback, it aims to provide more features that are given below in detail.

What are the Steps of southwest airlines seat selection?

For the flights that are going to fly before 26 January 2026, there are no pre-assigned seats and the process is based on the first come first serve boarding system.

The boarding process is like when you check in online or at the airport, you will be assigned a boarding group and the position and passengers will line up at the gate in numerical order within their group. The A group boards first and then B and C. Once you are on the plane, you can go for any southwest choose seat.

To get the better boarding position you need to check in as early as possible. The check in window opens exactly 24 hours before the departure.

To go further in the race, passengers can purchase something more for a better boarding position. There are available purchases like early bird check in or upgraded boarding to secure an early position for southwest airlines seat selection.

Early bird check in is a service which will automatically open the window for check in 36 hours before your flight and the fee of this will be between $15 to $99 one way per person.
If you want to purchase the upgraded boarding within 24 hours of your flight then you can purchase an upgrade to a premium boarding position in the A-1 to A-15 group. The cost will be around $30 to $149 per segment.
The highest fare class which is business class comes with guaranteed A1 to 15 boarding positions which will allow you to be among the first to board and pick seats on southwest.

So, the answer to when can I picks my seat on southwest airlines is at the time of booking or check-in.

What Will be the New System of Assigning southwest Seats?

The airline is going to shift to a traditional southwest seat assignment model for all flights that are going to depart after 27th of January 2026.

According to the new system, your ability to southwest pick your seat will now depend on the fare bundle you purchase.

The basic fare is the lowest option in which you will not get the complimentary advanced seat selection and your seat will be automatically assigned as per the southwest airlines seat assignment to you at the time of check in. You can pay extra to select a preferred or extra legroom seat if available.
Then there is a choice fare which includes the ability to select a standard seat for free at the time of booking.
Next one is the preferred fare with which you can go for the southwest airlines choose seats in context of preferred or standard seats for free at the time of booking.
Choice extra fare is the premium one which includes the ability to select any available seat including extra legroom seats for free at the time of booking.

What are the Types of southwest Seats?

There are standard seats that are also known as standard legroom seats which are typically located in the back of the cabin.
Then there are preferred seats which is a standard legroom seat located in a more desirable area usually at the front of the cabin for faster deplaning.
Then extra legroom seats are found at the front of the cabin and in exit rows and these seats offer 3 to 5 more inches of legroom. They also come with group 1 to 2 boarding, extra snacks and free premium beverages.

What Will be the southwest Seat Selection Fee?

The fees for the seat selection are dynamic and based on the type of seat, route and the time of booking. We are going to give you the general structure for a one-way flight.

The standard seats are not available for purchase on all flights but when it is available it will cost you approximately from $26 to $31 according to the southwest airlines seat assignment.
The preferred seats can be chosen for purchase and it will range from $25 to $41.
The extra legroom seats will be costing between $42 to over $92 depending on the flight length and demand.

Also, does southwest have assigned seats? If your type of ticket will not allow you to go for the purchasing of a seat then it will assign the random seeds from the available options during check-in.

What are the Ways to Cancel the Fees of southwest Seat Selection?

You can go for the free seat selection even on the basic fares if you are: Rapid rewards A list preferred member where you can select any available option including the extra legroom seat for free at the time of booking.
If you are a rapid rewards A list member where you can select a preferred or standard seat for free at the time of booking. So, can you pick your seats on southwest? Absolutely yes.
If you are a rapid rewards credit card holder than depending on the specific card, you will be able to select a preferred or standard seat for free at the time of booking or within 48 hours of your departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any possibility for the families to sit together?
According to the current system, families can use family boarding to board early and find seats together. Under the new system, the airline is not guaranteeing for all but only for the children to let them be with their adult.

Will my child be able to sit with me if I have purchased the basic fare?
It is not a guarantee so it would be better to ensure that you said together or choose the ticket that includes the seat selection.

Do I get to select my seat for free on southwest?
If you wish to fly before January then under the old system, you can choose any available seat once you both the plane.

How does Southwest Airlines Seat Selection and Assignment Work?