Southwest Airlines is Getting Even Better with New Seating Options and More

southwest

Southwest Airlines is Getting Even Better with New Seating Options and More

Southwest Airlines is shaking things up with a new look and feel. They’re introducing assigned seating, a revamped Rapid Rewards program, and exciting new vacation packages.

Related – Southwest Airlines is Getting Rid of Open Seating

seating

Southwest Airlines is introducing assigned seating options to enhance your travel experience. Our lowest fares will still include two free checked bags, no change or cancel fees, travel credits that never expire, and a seat assigned to you before your flight.

If you prefer to select your seat, including seats with extra legroom, you can purchase these options when booking your flight. Our boarding process will remain similar, with passengers boarding in order of position numbers and lining up by signage within the gate area.


Assigned seating will be available for booking in the second half of 2025 for travel starting in the first half of 2026.

seats

All new 737 MAX 8 aircraft being delivered to Southwest feature larger overhead bins. Not only do the new bins provide more room for more carryon items, they’re easier to access when you’re boarding, and grabbing-and-going upon arrival. Southwest is also making steady progress on refitting its fleet with these larger overhead bins and expect that process to be complete in the next 2-3 years.

tables

Whether you’re keeping the kids entertained, or working to complete an important presentation, more power at your fingertips is always a good thing. That’s why Southwest has included in-seat power ports on all new 737 MAX 8 aircraft, and why they’ll be added to the existing MAX 8 and 737-800 planes in the next few years.

  • USB-A and USB-C ports: This means plenty of power to charge your electronics, including phones, tablets, and laptops.
  • Ports on each seat back: The illuminated ports are easy to see and easy to use, letting you charge up to two devices at once.

Getaways by Southwest

Southwest is introducing Getaways by Southwest™ in 2025. This is an entirely new vacation package offering only Southwest can deliver—with the unmatched, flexible policies you know and love. So, if plans change and you have to cancel your vacation, it’s a-okay on this vacay.  

Rapid Rewards Program

Rapid Rewards Members will continue to enjoy Southwest’s industry-leading loyalty program. All Members will earn and redeem points at the same rate they do today, and Southwest will continue to offer no blackout dates, uncapped reward seat availability, and points that don’t expire.

  • NEW: A-List Preferred Members will be able to select all available seats at the time of booking, including extra legroom, at no additional cost. 
  • NEW: A-List Members will be able to select all standard legroom seats at the time of booking with the opportunity to choose an extra legroom seat within 48 hours of departure, if available, at no additional cost. 
  • All Tier Members will continue to enjoy their existing benefits like priority boarding, free same-day change, and same-day standby.  There’s more to love and more details to come this November.
  • All Companion Pass holders will have the ability to select an available seat for their Companion when they travel together.
  • All Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will receive details in early 2025 on how their card benefits will be enhanced with the new changes. Until then, Cardmembers can continue to enjoy the benefits they currently have on their card.

Do you enjoy flying Southwest?

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Sara is a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, a Disney Earmarked agency. She lives in Alaska with her husband and 3 kids. Due to her extreme dislike of winter, she travels often to warmer destinations during the colder months. She visits the Disney parks and resorts frequently with her family and loves helping other families plan magical vacations. Contact her here for help with your vacation!
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