Southwest Airlines has undergone a number of changes in the past few months that have rubbed travelers the wrong way. In March 2025, Southwest Airlines announced the controversial decision to ends its decades-old "two bags fly free" policy for checked luggage.

Southwest Airlines has announced a major change to its long-standing policy, giving customers the option to select their seat when booking a flight. The new policy will begin on Jan. 27, 2026, according to the airline’s statement.

Southwest is now charging passengers to select their seats. This follows on from its recent decision to introduce new baggage fees.