Purchase a Business Select fare or upgrade to Business Select: Customers who purchase a Business Select fare will get guaranteed A1-A15 boarding. If a Customer did not originally purchase a Business Select fare but wants guaranteed A1-A15 boarding, they can upgrade their flight to Business Select.

As of late January 2026, Southwest Airlines has officially transitioned from its iconic "open seating" model to a high-fidelity assigned seating system. To secure a better "boarding group" and, more importantly, a better seat, you should now prioritize your fare class and status. The best seats (including those with extra legroom) are prioritized for A-List Preferred and A-List members, who can often select them at the time of booking for no additional cost. If you do not have elite status, booking a Choice Extra or Choice Preferred fare will allow you to select a seat during the booking process. For those on a Basic fare, seats are assigned at check-in; therefore, the high-fidelity "golden rule" of checking in exactly 24 hours before departure remains vital to snagging the best of the remaining standard seats. Additionally, you can still purchase Priority Boarding (starting 24 hours before flight) to board ahead of Group 1, ensuring you have ample overhead bin space for your carry-on luggage.