When booking a flight, choosing the right seat can significantly enhance your travel experience. Southwest Airlines, known for its customer-friendly policies, offers a unique approach to seat selection compared to other carriers. This article explores whether Southwest charges extra for seat selection, the types of seats available, and the flexibility to change your seat after booking.

Does Southwest Charge Extra for Seat Selection?

Southwest Airlines operates on a unique open seating policy, which is different from most other airlines. Instead of assigning seats, passengers choose their seats when they board the plane. This means that while standard Southwest seat selection is usually complimentary, there are no preferred seats, Main Cabin Extra, or Premium Economy options as seen in other airlines. However, Southwest does offer an upgraded boarding option for a fee, which allows passengers to board earlier and thereby have a better selection of available seats.

Types of Seating Options

Although Southwest does not have different seat categories like Main Cabin Extra or Premium Economy, they do offer what is called "EarlyBird Check-In". This service can be purchased additionally and allows passengers to check in automatically before the general 24-hour check-in window opens, improving the likelihood of a favorable boarding position and hence a better choice of seat.

Fees for EarlyBird Check-In

The cost for EarlyBird Check-In varies depending on the flight and can range anywhere from $15 to $25 per segment. It's important to note that this fee is not a seat selection fee per se but rather a way to enhance your chances of choosing a preferred seat by boarding earlier.

Can I Change My Seat Selection After Booking?

Yes, passengers flying with Southwest can change their seat selection after booking. Since Southwest doesn't assign seats, what this means is that you can opt to purchase EarlyBird Check-In at a later point if you didn't choose it when you originally booked your ticket. This decision can be made anytime up to 36 hours before the flight's scheduled departure.

Process for Modifying Seat Selection

Changing your “seat selection” on Southwest involves either purchasing or canceling EarlyBird Check-In, depending on what you want your boarding process to look like:

  • To Purchase EarlyBird Check-In: You can add this service via your online booking, through a customer service agent, or at a Southwest ticketing location.
  • To Cancel EarlyBird Check-In: If you have already purchased EarlyBird and wish to cancel it, you must do so more than 24 hours before your flight to receive a refund, as per Southwest's flexible cancellation policy.

Considerations and Tips

When deciding whether to opt for EarlyBird Check-In, consider your seating preferences and how important it is for you to choose your seat upon boarding:

  • If traveling with a group: It might be a good idea to purchase EarlyBird Check-In to ensure that you can sit together, as seating cannot be guaranteed otherwise.
  • For aisle or window seat lovers: EarlyBird can also ensure that you have access to your preferred type of seat, as these can be quickly taken up once general boarding begins.

Conclusion

Southwest Airlines offers a straightforward and passenger-friendly seating policy that does not involve traditional seat selection fees. However, for those looking to enhance their chance of getting the best possible seat, the EarlyBird Check-In option provides a valuable tool. With the ability to modify your check-in status up to a day and a half before departure, Southwest remains flexible and accommodating to all its passengers' needs.