Some airlines—like American, Delta, and United—do not assign a free seat for basic economy fares until the ticket counter or the gate. These ultra-restrictive fares are usually the cheapest and come with limitations.

As of early 2026, the landscape of airline seating has shifted significantly, most notably with Southwest Airlines officially ending its 54-year tradition of "open seating" on January 27, 2026. This move was intended to modernize the airline's revenue model by offering tiered fare bundles and assigned seat selection. However, the transition has faced significant "customer uproar," with some loyal flyers calling the new system a disaster. Despite this shift, there are still a few low-cost carriers globally and some regional niche airlines that occasionally utilize open seating for small aircraft or short-hop shuttle services. In the United States, most major and budget carriers now utilize assigned seating to drive ancillary revenue through seat-selection fees. For passengers, this means that while "free-for-all" boarding is largely a thing of the past at Southwest, the trade-off is often higher fees or being assigned a middle seat in the back of the plane if you choose a "Basic" fare. The industry trend in 2026 is clearly moving toward total monetization of the cabin space, making unassigned seating an increasingly rare relic of aviation history.