Southwest says major change to airline policy is coming before 2026 | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

Southwest Airlines has made a number of big changes recently, including eliminating its free checked bags, putting new rules in place for portable chargers, and starting to prepare the cabin for landing at an 18,000-foot altitude instead of at 10,000 feet.

Some of these changes, such as preparing the cabin a little earlier, are largely going to go unnoticed by passengers because they do not impact their flying experience very much. Requiring portable chargers to be visible and out of bags when they are charging devices also makes good sense, given that the batteries that power them have proved prone to causing fires.

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Other changes have not been so popular, though.

Southwest was widely known as being one of the only airlines that did not nickel and dime you with excessive fees, and, in fact, many people chose the airline specifically because they could bring a bag aboard without additional costs.

Still, the airline implemented the baggage rule change as of May 28, and now only certain business class and loyalty customers can bring suitcases fee-free.

Beyond this change to the baggage rules, there’s another major policy shift upcoming that will also fundamentally change the way Southwest has operated. Consumer opinion on this issue is mixed, but the change is going forward, and Southwest has now announced when it will occur.

Will these Southwest customers be able to find a seat on the plane?

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Here’s the big change to Southwest’s policies coming before 2026

The next big upcoming policy shift that will affect Southwest flyers has to do with where people sit on the plane.

Previously, the airline was known for its open seating policy. Passengers were allowed to board with their group, but could then sit anywhere they wanted. This offered much more flexibility for people used to having to pay for a seat with other airlines, and it was a flagship offering that set Southwest apart.

But, like free bags, open seating is also going to be a relic of the past and will soon be nothing more than a distant memory. In fact, the airline recently announced the dates when it would begin the new policy of telling passengers where to sit while they are aboard the aircraft.

“We are planning to begin offering booking for assigned and premium seating in the second half of 2025, and we are expected to begin operating with assigned and premium seating in 2026,” The Southwest Airlines website now states.

Will passengers appreciate assigned seating?

Southwest Airlines is touting this new policy change as a big win for customers, and believes assigning seats is a way to capture new business, as a spokesperson recently told FOX Business that the shift in policy occurred because Southwest “wanted to bring new people to the fold while also reminding current Customers why they chose Southwest in the first place.”

The airline launched an ad campaign recently touting the fact that you can now have a designated spot to sit, instead of trying to struggle to land a seat you were interested in with no guarantees. The company spokesperson also said this ad campaign was important to show customers that the airline understands what they are looking for.

Opinions from commenters online seem mixed, though, with some glad that assigned seating is coming because people don’t always follow the rules and open seating can get chaotic, while others complaining that the new policy makes Southwest just like any other airline with no benefits now that their chance to pick their seat and bring a bag for free is gone.

Ultimately, only time will tell whether the change is popular or not, as we see how Southwest’s earnings are affected by all of the shifts in the airline’s signature policies.