For the first time in 53 years, Southwest Airlines is officially selling assigned seats to passengers with a variety of new seat preferences for flights, starting in January 2026.

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.