Southwest Airlines will introduce assigned seating for the first time on January 27th, ending its decades-long open seating policy, according to CNBC. Customers can begin booking with seat assignments on July 29. The shift is part of a broader overhaul aimed at increasing efficiency and boosting earnings by $800 million this year and $1.7 billion in 2026. The carrier also plans to begin charging many passengers for checked bags and has introduced new fare tiers. Top-tier loyalty members will remain exempt from many of the changes. Southwest announced plans to end open seating a year ago as part of a broader business model overhaul but had not set a date until now.
