How Do You Select Your Seat on Southwest Airlines?

Choosing the right seat can make your travel experience so much better. So when you fly with Southwest, it is important to know how it helps you with seating. Southwest allows seat selection from the available seats only when you board the flight. And what’s more? You don’t have to worry about paying extra for an assigned seat.

To make the most of your journey, it is helpful to understand Southwest’s unique seat selection approach and how your boarding position affects your options. Understand the details so that you can have a comfortable and pleasant trip without any additional costs.

What is the Southwest Seat Selection Policy?

Southwest currently follows an open seating policy. Go through the following points to learn about the major points of this Southwest Airlines approach to seat selection.

• With the open seating policy, you pick your seat from the available ones when you board the flight. You can't choose or get assigned seats in advance.
• Once on board, grab any available seat and stow your carry-on items in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. However, the time of your boarding the flight largely determines your seat selection.
• The airline has three boarding groups: A, B, and C, each with positions from 1 to 60.
• Your boarding position depends on when you check in, so check in early for a better spot.

Please note

Southwest plans to introduce assigned seating and premium/extra legroom options starting in mid-2025, with bookings available for flights in 2026.

Call Southwest at 1-800-435-9792 to learn more about it.

Can I Book an Extra Seat with Southwest?

Yes, Southwest has designed a policy to meet the seating needs of Customers who require more than one seat. With Southwest Airlines’ approach to picking additional seats, every passenger onboard is comfortably accommodated.

How to book an Extra Southwest Seat?

You can book an extra seat online or request it at the airport and obtain a Seat Reserved document for it. You may preboard to select the available seats or board with your original boarding group and position.

Contact the airline to refund the cost of additional seating after your trip.

Does Southwest Charge a Seat Selection Fee?

No, as of now, Southwest doesn’t charge a seat selection fee as you pick seats only when you board the flight. Your boarding group determines when you will enter the plane to choose seats. That’s why you need not pay any extra charges to select your spots on the flight.

However, you can upgrade your boarding group. This helps you board the flight earlier than others and choose seats as required. Get an upgraded boarding at $30-$149 per segment, per customer.

How to Get the Best Seat on Southwest Flights?

Even though seat selection is not allowed by the airline, you can grab the best one. Simply go for Business Select fares and grab seats with various benefits. The perks you get with these seats include -

• Priority boarding (A1-A15)
• Full refund flexibility
• Bonus Rapid Rewards points

Can I Sit with My Family on Southwest Flights?

Of course yes. Although you can’t select a seat with Southwest Airlines, you are covered with its customer-friendly approach. This enables you for family boarding and seating. Scroll down to learn more about it.

When flying with a kid of up to 6 years of age -

• Up to two adults may board during Family Boarding, which is between the “A” group and the “B” group boarding.
• The airline makes its best efforts to give enough open seats so that the kid sits with at least one accompanying adult (14 and older).
• If the kids and adults are holding “A” boarding passes, they can skip waiting for Family Boarding and board in their boarding position assigned.

Please note

If a child (under 13 years old) needs assistance, request the Gate Agents or Flight Attendants to seat him/her next to an adult accompanying (14 years and older).

Does Southwest Allow Preboarding for Seat Selection?

Yes, Southwest allows pre-boarding a flight to its disabled passengers so that they can make a seat selection for their convenience. Preboarding occurs before general boarding. It enables disabled travelers to grab a specific seat for their convenience. Also, boarding takes care if they need assistance to board the aircraft or need to stow an assistive device.

In Conclusion

Simply put, even though seat selection is not available with Southwest, you can be assured of comfortable seating. With the airline’s open seating policy, you can save money since you don't pay extra for a seat. However, your boarding position affects your seat choice. So, it is important to understand the boarding process.

Select the best seats, sit with family, upgrade your boarding group, pick an extra seat, and fly in maximum comfort and convenience with the airline.

You May Visit:

Southwest Cancellation Policy

Southwest Refund Policy