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Stop us if you've heard something similar already this year, but Southwest is planning on making significant changes to its operational model. After months of sharing bits and pieces, Southwest released concrete details of its overhaul — and added other tidbits to its website sharing additional proposed benefits.
From assigned seating to premium seating, a not-so-entirely-brand-new international partner airline, and more, there's a lot to unpack. So, let's dive in.
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An Overview of Southwest Airlines’ Planned Changes
This past June, an activist investment management firm purchased a nearly $2 billion stake in Southwest. A month later, teased changes to Southwest's operational model started hitting the newswire. That was about the time we first learned that Southwest was planning to ditch its open seating model next year and had taken steps to schedule its first-ever redeye flights. However, there are more changes coming — a lot more.
In September, Southwest issued a press release detailing a plan called “Southwest. Even Better.” This plan outlines the timeline for introducing assigned seating, addresses questions about whether fan-favorite perks such as the free checked bag benefit will live on, and more. Here's an overview of the most important points in that press release — and a look at the additional details that have trickled out since.
Assigned seating is coming to Southwest, and we know the timeline. Starting in the second half of 2025, Southwest will begin selling assigned seats for travel happening in the first half of 2026. However, the boarding process won't change; you'll still board the aircraft via position numbers.
To go along with assigned seats, Southwest is also introducing premium seating. These seats will feature up to five additional inches of pitch. Just how many premium seats will be available? The press release indicates about one-third of the seats on the plane. But no, Southwest supposedly won't shrink the legroom in standard economy to make space for its premium seats.
These seats will be available to purchase. But if you have elite status, you can snag one for free — more on this shortly.
One additional benefit of purchasing or selecting a premium seat is that you'll be among the first to board the airplane. That adds value if you prefer to carry your bag onboard instead of checking it. And on that note…
Free checked bags
One of the major draws to Southwest is that all customers get two free checked bags — regardless of fare type. It's widely understood that any changes to this benefit will negatively impact how travelers view the airline, so there will be no changes to this benefit whatsoever. At least for now.
Southwest is also in the process of letting customers pre-check bags online or in the app, so you don't have to wait in a long line at the airport. With that, you'll also soon be able to digitally track your bag so you can learn in real-time whether your luggage made it on the airplane or to your final destination.
Rapid Rewards enhancements
Ah, “enhancements.” This word has somewhat of a negative connotation in the world of award travel, but that's somewhat localized to changes to credit card benefits. With Southwest's intended Rapid Rewards program changes, we're seeing mostly good things.
Most everything is staying the same in regards to Southwest elite status, except:
- A-List members will be able to select standard seats at the time of booking or extra legroom seats within 48 hours of departure at no cost — even on Southwest's cheapest Wanna Get Away fares. Same-day changes will also come with better seat options.
- A-List Preferred members will be able to select any available seat at the time of booking — also for no cost. And the new proposed same-day change benefit will also apply to these members.
- Companion Pass holders have two new benefits to look forward to. You'll be able to select an available seat for your designated companion, and your tier member seating benefits will apply to your companion.
Southwest's website suggests that more details are coming in Spring 2025. Moreover, it looks like there should be changes to some of the benefits attached to Southwest's co-branded credit cards, but you'll have to wait until early next year to learn more.
Flight turn times
Airplanes are more valuable when transporting passengers through the air rather than sitting on the ground. Historically, Southwest has some of the fastest turn times in the industry, and the airline is taking steps to speed them up even more.
How will this impact you? For starters, you might need to make getting to the gate on time a priority so you don't miss your flight!
These operational enhancements coincide with the launch of redeye flights, which will take to the skies for the first time starting in February 2025.
Airline partnerships
With the exception of a few short-lived partnerships, Southwest Airlines has largely gone at it alone. Sometime next year, Southwest and Icelandair will cozy up and launch a partnership through Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI).
More gateways will be added in the future, but this venture will allow Southwest passengers to connect to both Iceland and several destinations in Europe. The press release also indicates that “at least one additional partner” will be introduced next year.
Long-time travelers may recall that this isn't the first time both airlines have tried to get a partnership off the ground. In February 1997, Southwest and Icelandair attempted to launch a similar venture out of BWI. Hopefully this new partnership is around longer than the last one was.
Final Thoughts
It's been a big year for Southwest Airlines in terms of teasing big changes to its operational model. Over the next year and a half, these changes will start rolling out and changing how you travel with the airline. Thankfully, many of the reasons we love Southwest are staying intact, which will continue to differentiate the carrier from several of its big-name competitors.
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