Southwest Airlines has already made several high-profile changes for its customers over the past several months, ending its beloved "bags fly free" policy and scrapping its longstanding open-seating policy.

Today, Chase and Southwest Airlines Co. launch new and enhanced benefits on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Cards from Chase. The Cards’ benefits and new earn categories now make everyday spending and flying with Southwest Airlines even more rewarding and reflect the airline’s new Customer experience.

Southwest Airlines will switch to assigned seats on Jan. 27, 2026, the airline announced. Seat assignments will go on sale July 29, 2025.

Southwest Airlines officially announced Monday that its open seating policy will end on January 27, 2026. Passengers can begin selecting specific seats starting July 29, 2025, for flights departing on or after the January implementation date.

Elliott Management is driving Southwest's transformation with revenue updates, seat selection, and cost changes to boost efficiency. Read more on LUV stock's Buy rating.

DALLAS, April 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announces its new fare products, as well as new benefits for its Rapid Rewards ® Credit Cardmembers and Tier Members ...

After announcing last summer that it would transition away from its defining policy in which passengers picked a seat once they were on the plane, the Dallas carrier shared plans to introduce assigned seating on Jan. 27, 2026. Tickets for such seats are set to be available for purchase on July 29.

Starting July 29, customers can begin booking tickets with seat assignments for flights departing January 27, 2026.