Does the Southwest Seat Selection policy allow seat upgrades?

Eligible passengers may be able to select a higher category seat by paying the applicable seat-selection fee, subject to availability and fare conditions.

How far in advance can I select a seat?

You can select an available seat during booking or through your reservation before the applicable seat-selection deadline. The exact timing can depend on your fare and eligibility.

Can I use reward points or miles to cover the seat selection fees?

Seat selection charges generally depend on the payment options available during booking or reservation management. Check the payment options the airline displays on the screen.

Can I select a window seat on Southwest Airlines?

Yes, passengers can select an available window seat when it is offered on their flight and included under their applicable fare or seating benefits. However, some seat categories may require an additional fee.

Can I select an aisle seat on Southwest Airlines?

Yes, you can select an aisle seat when available and when your fare or eligibility allows access to that seat category. Some aisle seats may carry an additional charge.

Can I change my Southwest Airlines seat after booking?

You can change the Southwest Airlines seat after booking; however, it totally depends on availability and your fare type.

How Does Southwest Airlines Seat Selection Work?

Southwest Airlines Seat Selection is a part of the travel policy, which has been updated with the new seating option by replacing open seating.

As of Jan 27, 2026, Southwest Airlines has replaced its previous open-seating system with assigned seating. Passengers can now choose from available seating options during or after booking, depending on their fare type, Rapid Rewards status, and seat availability.

However, your fare type and eligibility determine which categories you can select for free and which may require an additional fee. To find fares that offer free Southwest seat selection, please continue reading this blog.

Can I Select a Southwest Airlines Seat for Free?

If you have ever booked a Southwest flight and are wondering whether you can select your seat without paying an additional fee, the answer depends on your fare type, Rapid Rewards status, and eligible cardmember benefits.

To check if you can choose the seat based on your preference for free or if a fee applies, simply glance at the highlights below, explained by fare type, Rapid Rewards tier status, and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember status:

Southwest Seat Select Rules by Fare Types

Basic Fare: Seat selection benefits are limited compared with higher fare types. Check the available seat options and applicable charges during booking. If Southwest must assign a seat rather than allow selection, it will provide available assigned seats under its current policy.
Choice: Eligible passengers can select available seats without an additional charge. Preferred or extra legroom seats may require an additional fee, depending on the applicable fare rules and availability.
Choice Preferred: Passengers can select the available Preferred or Standard seats at no additional charge. Extra legroom seats may require an additional fee, depending on availability and the applicable fare conditions.
Choice Extra: The premium fare provides the most extensive seat selection benefits. Eligible passengers can select available Standard, Preferred, or Extra Legroom seats without an additional seat selection charge, subject to availability and booking conditions.

Southwest Seat Selection by Rapid Rewards Status

A-List Preferred: Eligible A-List Preferred members may receive enhanced seat selection benefits, including access to preferred seating options, subject to availability and the current Rapid Rewards terms.
A-List: Under the policy, passengers with A-List Rapid Rewards status can choose any preferred seat, such as aisle, window, or front-row seating, depending on availability. A-List passengers may receive complimentary access to eligible seating options, subject to availability and benefits associated with their Rapid Rewards status.

Rapid Rewards Credit Card member status

Plus Card: Eligible card members may receive seat-selection benefits associated with their card. The specific seat category and timing depend on the current card member terms and availability.
Premier Card: Allows travelers to select their preferred seat within 48 hours before the flight is scheduled to depart, if available.
Priority Card: Eligible card members may receive complimentary access to certain seating options subject to availability and the current benefits associated with the card.

Southwest Seat Selection Procedure

You can choose your desired seat when booking or up to 24 hours before your flight departs. However, you must follow the directions based on when you choose to select your seat.

During Flight Reservation

Visit the official website of Southwest Airlines or open the mobile app.
Enter your travel dates, destinations, and passenger information.
Select your preferred flight from the available options.
Enter the required passenger and contact details.
Select an available seat.
Pay an applicable seat selection fee.
Complete the booking and save your confirmation.

Selecting a Seat After Booking

Open the Southwest website or mobile app.
Select Manage Trips or the applicable reservation-management option.
Enter your confirmation number and passenger information.
Retrieve your reservation.
Select the option to modify or manage your seat.
Open the seat map to view available seats.
Select your preferred available seats.
Pay any applicable fee if required.
Confirm the selection and save the updated reservation.

Can Families Sit Together on Southwest Airlines?

Yes, families can choose seats together on Southwest Airlines when adjacent seats are available. Parents or guardians traveling with children should select seats as early as possible to improve their chances of sitting next to each other.

However, seat assignments depend on availability, fare eligibility, and applicable seating rules. If you are traveling with several family members, check the seat map during booking and select the available seats that best accommodate your group.

How Much is the Southwest Seat Selection Fee

Southwest Airlines seat selection fee can vary depending on your fare type, selected seat category, eligibility, and other applicable booking conditions. Some passengers may receive complimentary seat selection based on their fare or loyalty benefits, while others may need to pay an additional fee for certain seats. Because seat availability and pricing can change, check the seat map during booking or through your reservation before confirming your selection.

The easiest ways to connect with the Southwest Airlines are to simply dial +1-800-435-9792 or +1-800-986-4713 (OTA).

What Happens If I Don't Select a Seat on Southwest Airlines?

If you don't select a seat in advance, you will still receive a seat assignment under Southwest Airlines' assigned-seating system. However, you may have fewer options if you wait to choose a seat, especially on flights with limited availability.

Travelers who prefer a specific location, such as a window, aisle, Preferred, or Extra Legroom seat, should select their seat in advance whenever possible. If you don't have a particular preference, you can let the airline's seating process assign an available seat.

Conclusion

Southwest Airlines’ move from open seating to assigned seating gives passengers more control over where they sit. However, tha availability and cost of seat selection depend on factors such as fare type, Rapid Rewards Status, and eligible card membership benefits, seat category, and availability. Before completing your booking, review the available seat selection options and any applicable charges. If you have already purchased your ticket, check your reservation to see which seating options are available to you.

Read also: Southwest Vacation Packages