Southwest Airlines now has extra-legroom seats on a quarter of its fleet. Here's what to know about scoring one before the product technically launches in 2026.

Southwest Airlines' CEO told investors in a July 24 earnings call that the airline could eventually open its own lounges.

Just two months after ending its long-standing “Bags Fly Free” policy, the airline has announced when it will roll out assigned seating — a significant shift from its traditional boarding process. For decades, Southwest used a first-come, first-served system, along with free checked bags, that set it apart from its competitors.

Southwest Airlines has announced a major change coming to its current seating system. The Texas-based airline previously had a “pick any seat” policy, allowing customers to purchase tickets in different boarding groups by selecting where they wanted to sit upon boarding the plane.