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Southwest Airlines Booking, Assigned Seats, Boarding & Baggage Policy Guide
Learn all about Southwest Airlines' new assigned seating, Groups 1-8 boarding system, free baggage allowance, fare bundles, and 24-hour check-in rules for 2026.
Southwest Airlines has a big U.S. network with flights to destinations throughout North America, Central America and the Caribbean, including Hawaii. In 2026, Southwest Airlines uses assigned seating instead of its former open-seating model. The airline offers Standard, Preferred and Extra Legroom seats. It also has a new boarding system with Groups 1-8.
Booking Southwest Flights
Southwest.com and the Southwest mobile app allow travellers to search for and book Southwest flights. When you buy, compare the fare, seat options, baggage benefits and ticket conditions that apply.
When booking, check:
The Low Fare Calendar is a useful tool for customers of Southwest Airlines that allows comparing the prices on various dates. A route may not appear for a particular date because service can vary by season or operating schedule.
How Do Southwest Seats and Boarding Groups Work?
Southwest now assigns seats on its flights. The seat available to a traveler depends on the fare purchased, Rapid Rewards tier status, qualifying credit-card status, and remaining seat inventory.
The available seats now are:
Standard:
Regular aero plane seating.
Preferred:
Standard-legroom seats in preferred locations.
Extra Legroom:
Seats offering additional legroom.
Travelers with applicable Rapid Rewards tier or credit-card benefits may have earlier seat-selection opportunities. Southwest’s applicable rules also permit basic customers to buy a separate available seat.
Other fare bundles provide different seat-selection privileges. Choice allows Standard seat selection, Choice Preferred provides access to Preferred or Standard seats, and Choice Extra allows selection of Extra Legroom, Preferred, or Standard seats when available.
Southwest also eliminated its old A, B and C boarding groups and replaced them with Groups 1 through 8. Boarding position is determined by factors such as fare bundle, Rapid Rewards tier or qualifying credit-card status, seat type, and seat location. Choice Extra boards in Group 1, Choice Preferred generally boards in Groups 3 or 4, while Basic boards last. Eligible customers may also purchase Priority Boarding when available.
What Is Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy?
Southwest gives each ticketed passenger one personal item and one carry-on bag at no extra charge. Carry-on bags are limited to 24 × 16 × 10 inches, including wheels, handles and attachments.
The standard size and weight limitations for checked luggage are:
| Baggage Information | Standard limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum size | 62 linear inches |
| Maximum weight | 50 lbs per bag |
For Carry-on baggage:
- Carry-on: Maximum 24 × 16 × 10 inches; stored in the overhead bin.
- Personal item: Must fit under the seat.
Free-bag benefits and checked baggage fees are based on fare, itinerary and traveller eligibility. Choice Extra includes two checked bags, while certain Rapid Rewards members and cardmembers can qualify for checked-bag benefits under the applicable terms.
Southwest Destinations and Partnerships
Southwest serves destinations across the United States and selected international markets in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and Hawaii. As available routes vary by schedule and season, travellers should consult current Southwest route information for their dates of travel.
Southwest also partners with international airline carriers to provide access to more destinations. The operating carrier and applicable travel rules can vary by itinerary, so check the flight details before booking.
How Do You Check in for a Southwest Flight Before Departure?
The check-in process in Southwest Airlines starts 24 hours before flight. Southwest Airlines check-in opens 24 hours before the scheduled departure. Travellers should check their seat assignment and group after check in.
Before leaving for the airport:
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