Current Seating Policy
Southwest Airlines continues to use open seating on all flights. Passengers choose any available seat after boarding, and there is no assigned seat at booking. This policy remains in place as of 2024, according to Southwest's official website.
Recent Changes to Boarding and Fare Structure
Southwest has updated its boarding process and fare options rather than removing open seating. The airline introduced a new Basic Economy fare with earlier boarding group assignments and fewer changes. Standard and Wanna Get Away fares still allow seat selection during boarding. Changes are designed to manage demand and improve boarding speed.
What Travelers Should Know
Travelers should expect to board in groups and select seats on a first-come basis. Early check-in, fare type, and boarding group affect where you can sit. For the latest details on fares and boarding, visit Southwest boarding information.
