When Southwest Airways shifts to assigned seating a couple of yr from now, its elite standing members will have the ability to choose an additional legroom totally free. And, these members will not be topic to a number of the tightest seating restrictions set to be imposed on its Wanna Get Away fares sooner or later.
The Dallas-based provider quietly up to date its web site that lays out intensive modifications deliberate on the airline — and within the course of provided a sneak peak at what 2026 will carry for its Speedy Rewards A-Record and A-Record Most popular members.
As a reminder, Southwest earlier this yr introduced it will start promoting assigned and extra-legroom seats in late 2025, for flights departing in early 2026. The transfer will likely be a dramatic departure from the provider’s signature open seating coverage that is been round for half a century.
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Executives on the airline provided a big-picture overview of its industrial overhaul in September, however held off on sharing too many particulars about how the shift to assigned and additional legroom seating would have an effect on its Speedy Rewards loyalty program, elite standing or its Companion Move.
Now, we’re getting a (barely) higher sense — as View from the Wing was first to identify.
Seating perks for A-Record members
As soon as assigned seating goes dwell, members who maintain entry-level Southwest A-Record elite standing will likely be granted a couple of perks associated to seating.
Free most popular seats at reserving
For starters, A-Listers will have the ability to choose normal “up entrance” seats totally free.
A bit context: Southwest in September shared that it plans to finally cost additional for some seats on its planes — not simply additional legroom seats, but additionally normal ones located nearer to the entrance of the plane; assume the “most popular” seats for which most of the largest U.S. carriers at the moment cost a premium.
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This profit will apply even to A-Record members flying on Southwest’s lowest-level Wanna Get Away fare. In September, Southwest stated that Wanna Get Away fares is not going to embrace complimentary seat choice sooner or later — however, we now know, all elite standing members will have the ability to skirt this restriction.
Further-legroom seats nearer to departure
Maybe extra considerably, A-Record members may also be allowed to pick additional legroom seats at no added price inside 48 hours of departure — pending availability, in fact.
Seating perks for A-Record Most popular members
In the meantime, higher-level A-Record Most popular members will have the ability to choose any seat on Southwest flights totally free at reserving. That features extra-legroom seats.
Plus, Companion Move members will likely be allowed to pick a seat for his or her designated touring companion. And, their elite standing seating advantages will lengthen to that passenger, as effectively.
Adjustments abound at southwest
These seating advantages weren’t totally shocking. Southwest executives in September hinted its industrial overhaul may unlock new potential seating advantages for sure Speedy Rewards members, from A-Record elites to its credit score cardholders.
To that finish, the provider has not but shared what’s in retailer for its card members; its web site notes that these clients “can look ahead to data in Spring 2025 concerning upcoming card journey advantages.”
With respect to seating, how Southwest is dealing with its new additional legroom seats for elites is paying homage to a number of different U.S. carriers’ insurance policies.
As an example, American Airways AAdvantage Gold members can choose Essential Cabin Further seats totally free inside 24 hours of departure; higher-level elites can choose these extra-legroom rows at reserving. Different airways have related, laddered insurance policies in place.
What about boarding?
Southwest’s web site that lays out its forthcoming modifications nonetheless describes its hallmark numbered boarding course of, with elite standing members incomes the precise to have their spot in line reserved 36 hours earlier than departure.
It is not clear what extra modifications, if any, is perhaps on the horizon for Southwest’s boarding course of. This fall, executives stated the airline anticipated to maintain the essence of its distinctive boarding procedures intact even because it shifts to assigned seating, with clients lining up, single-file, alongside its signature boarding space posts.
Nonetheless, it appears a probable wager some tweaks to the method may come amid an assigned seating and extra-legroom panorama.
“We look ahead to sharing extra in Spring 2025,” a Southwest spokesperson instructed TPG Monday when requested in regards to the modifications shared on the provider’s web site.
What’s not altering?
Southwest says all Speedy Rewards members will proceed to earn and redeem factors on the similar price as as we speak. The airline additionally made clear, in September, that its coverage permitting two free checked luggage for each passenger will proceed.
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