We finally know what's replacing Southwest’s most controversial policy

Earlier this year, Southwest Airlines confirmed the biggest shift in its boarding policy in decades. (See: The airline that just ranked No. 1 for customer satisfaction is already losing loyal fans.) And now we know exactly what the updated system will look like.

As of January 27, 2026, the airline will officially move away from its signature open seating model and introduce assigned seats on all flights. The change will also come with a brand-new eight-group boarding system based on fare type, seat selection, elite status, and credit card perks — a new system that officially ends the check-in, lineup, and pick-a-seat system that many people found utterly chaotic or otherwise undignified.

Here’s how it will work:

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Groups 1–2 will include Choice Extra passengers, those who upgrade to extra legroom, and A-List Preferred and A-List members seated in extra legroom seats.

Groups 3–5 will include Choice Preferred passengers and A-List members in standard or preferred seats. Rapid Rewards cardholders will default to Group 5 unless they qualify for an earlier group.

Groups 6–8 will be made up of Choice and Basic fare passengers, with Basic ticket holders boarding last.

Passengers will also be able to purchase priority boarding 24 hours in advance, a new perk Southwest is adding to the mix.

The airline says the update is designed to create a more streamlined and equitable boarding experience. Internally, Southwest also believes the move will shave 5 to 6 minutes off average boarding time by eliminating the behavior that happens when passengers roam the cabin hunting for good seats — a common issue under the old system.

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Of course, longtime Southwest loyalists may feel mixed emotions. For decades, the boarding process was synonymous with the brand — fast, chaotic, and strangely democratic. Now, as the airline pivots toward a more traditional model with assigned seating and premium cabin upgrades, it joins the ranks of legacy carriers it once set itself apart from.

The new policy goes into effect in early 2026 — meaning there’s still time to squeeze in one last nostalgic “A17” boarding moment before the line-up ritual becomes history, if you were among the group who actually enjoyed the polarizing policy that long defined the brand.

Yahoo CreatorAlesandra DubinAlesandra (Alice) Dubin is an award-winning travel and lifestyle journalist. She has a BA from UC Berkeley and an MA in journalism from NYU. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their twins.FollowFollow