Southwest Airlines, once known for its open seating policy, is introducing new fare options for travelers before it takes effect next year.
The discount carrier said the new fare bundle, including seats, check-in bags and boarding bags, will be booked sometime in the third quarter for scheduled departures in 2026.
“With seating choice and additional legroom, our enhanced fare bundle allows customers to customize their trips while still enjoying our industry-leading reliability and hospitality,” Executive Vice President Customer & Brand said in a statement.
The airline started news on Tuesday, with up to 30% off all base fares.
The news was announced in the Southwest last year It terminated its decades-old open policy, a hallmark of the operator's unconventional business model. The company also said earlier this year It will end Starting from May 28, its "free bag" policy.
What are the new seat options for Southwest Airlines?
Southwest said its aircraft will offer three new seating options:
- The first set of seats features up to five inches of extra legroom and preferred boarding board, meaning customers will be able to enter the overhead bin space earlier. These seats will be divided into two areas on the plane - one in the front and one around the exit row in the middle of the plane.
- The second set of seats will not provide additional legroom, but will be closer to the front of the plane.
- The standing seat will be located at the rear of the plane and does not include additional legroom.
Southwest has not announced how much new seats will cost, but does say card members will have the opportunity to choose seats and get a "boarding benefit." They will get their first checked bag for free.
What are the new fare options?
Southwest will also offer four "fare bundles" that allow customers to choose seats, check-in bags and boarding options in one go. The categories they can choose include choosing additional options, choosing priority and basic.
- Select Extra Additional leg seating, free shipping bags and pre-panels are available.
- Select priority Lets you book and board in the preferred seating section at the beginning of the general boarding.
- choose Give you a standard seat.
- Basic Allocating your seat at check-in is the most limited fare.