From Fox Business: Southwest Airlines is officially ending two signature policies that have long set the carrier apart from its competitors.
Starting Tuesday, the controversial policies announced last year will raise ticket prices for plus-size passengers and also end the airline’s decades-old open-seating arrangement.
Southwest first announced in July 2025 that it would end its open-seating policy, partly to boost revenue and in response to what it described as passengers’ growing preference for purchasing premium seating options.
Seat options now include Standard, Preferred and Extra Legroom. The airline is also shifting from the A/B/C groups with numbered positions model to a new boarding system using Groups 1 through 8.
The change was announced in 2025. At the time, Southwest executive Tony Roach explained, “Our Customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience.”
“Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our Customers — including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats — and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin,” Roach said.
In a statement, Southwest Airlines said, “Customers who encroach upon the neighboring seat(s) should proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seat is available.”
BUCKLE UP: Southwest Airlines is officially ending two signature policies that have long set the carrier apart from its competitors.
Starting Tuesday, the airline will raise ticket prices for plus-size passengers and also end the airline’s decades-old open-seating arrangement. pic.twitter.com/FXYj52UBFi
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) January 26, 2026
As Southwest moves away from open seating and complimentary checked bags, @WilliamJMcGee spoke to @USAToday.
“They’re going to be in many ways similar to the other three mega carriers who have 80% of the market more or less offering the same product.” pic.twitter.com/ueudZEC9bn
— American Economic Liberties Project (@econliberties) January 28, 2026
Read more at Fox Business
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
