Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Southwest Airlines does not offer a traditional First Class cabin. However, the airline now provides several assigned-seat options and fare bundles for travelers who want more legroom, earlier boarding, flexible tickets, or included checked bags. The most premium combination is a Choice Extra fare with an Extra Legroom seat.
Quick Answer
No. Southwest Airlines does not operate a First Class cabin. Since January 27, 2026, Southwest flights have assigned seating in one cabin with Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom seats. Choice Extra is the most premium fare, but it does not include a separate cabin, a wider First Class seat, or meal service.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest has one cabin and does not sell First Class tickets.
- Current seat categories are Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom.
- Preferred seats are near the front but have standard legroom.
- Choice Extra includes an Extra Legroom seat at booking, Group 1 boarding, two free checked bags, and other premium fare benefits.
- Business Select was replaced by Choice Extra for the airline’s current fare system.
Does Southwest Airlines Offer First Class?
No. Southwest does not have a separate First Class cabin, First Class ticket, or First Class upgrade. Its aircraft use a single-cabin layout with several seat locations and legroom options.
The closest Southwest alternative to domestic First Class is an Extra Legroom seat combined with a Choice Extra fare. That combination provides additional legroom, earlier boarding, extra fare flexibility, two free checked bags, and a premium drink on qualifying flights. It does not provide the wider seat, cabin divider, plated meal, lounge access, or dedicated cabin service commonly associated with traditional First Class.
Southwest offers one cabin with different seat choices—not separate Economy and First Class cabins.
Southwest Airlines’ Assigned Seating System
Southwest ended its well-known open-seating model for travel beginning January 27, 2026. Passengers now receive or select an assigned seat, depending on their fare, Rapid Rewards status, eligible Southwest credit card benefits, and seat availability.
Note: A fare bundle and a seat type are not the same thing. Your fare controls benefits such as refundability, points, boarding, and included bags. Your seat type controls your location and available legroom.
Standard Seats
Standard seats have regular Southwest legroom and are generally located toward the back of the cabin. A Standard seat is assigned at check-in with a Basic fare. Choice passengers can select an available Standard seat while booking.
Preferred Seats
Preferred seats are located closer to the front of the aircraft, which can make it faster to leave after landing. They have the same standard legroom as Standard seats. Choice Preferred passengers can choose an available Preferred or Standard seat at booking.
Extra Legroom Seats
Extra Legroom seats are located at the front of the cabin and in exit rows. Southwest states that they provide three to five additional inches of seat pitch compared with Standard seats, depending on the aircraft:
- Boeing 737-700: approximately 35–36 inches of pitch in Extra Legroom rows, compared with 31–33 inches in Standard and Preferred rows.
- Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8: approximately 34 inches of pitch in Extra Legroom rows, compared with 31–32 inches in Standard and Preferred rows.
Extra Legroom seating may also include extra snacks and complimentary premium beverages when available. Exit-row passengers must meet federal eligibility requirements and be willing and able to assist during an emergency.
| Seat Type | Location | Legroom | Included With |
| Standard | Back portion of cabin | Standard | Basic or Choice |
| Preferred | Near front of cabin | Standard | Choice Preferred or Choice Extra |
| Extra Legroom | Front and exit rows | Up to 3–5 extra inches | Choice Extra; may also be purchased or obtained through eligible status benefits |
Current Southwest Fare Bundles
Southwest currently sells four main fare bundles: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra. These fare types determine which seats can be selected at booking and which travel benefits are included.
| Fare | Included Seat | Boarding | Main Benefits |
| Basic | Standard seat assigned at check-in | Last boarding groups | Lowest fare; 2X points per eligible dollar; nonrefundable; changes require a fare upgrade; six-month flight-credit expiration |
| Choice | Standard seat selected at booking | General boarding | 6X points; transferable 12-month flight credit; same-day change and standby benefits; fare difference may apply |
| Choice Preferred | Preferred or Standard seat selected at booking | Groups 3–4 | 10X points; refundable ticket; same-day benefits; qualifying Priority Lane and Express Lane access |
| Choice Extra | Any available seat, including Extra Legroom | Group 1 | 14X points; refundable ticket; two free checked bags; premium drink on qualifying flights; all Choice Preferred benefits |
Warning: Seat selection and fare benefits remain subject to availability and specific terms. A Preferred seat is closer to the front, but it does not provide extra legroom. Review the seat map before paying more solely for the seat location.
Is Choice Extra Southwest’s Version of First Class?
Choice Extra is Southwest’s most premium fare bundle, but calling it First Class would be misleading. It improves the economy-style travel experience through better seat access and fare benefits rather than creating a separate premium cabin.
| Feature | Southwest Choice Extra | Typical Domestic First Class |
| Cabin | Same single cabin as other passengers | Separate forward cabin |
| Seat | Standard-width Extra Legroom seat, subject to aircraft layout | Usually wider with greater recline and legroom |
| Food | Snacks and qualifying premium-drink benefits | May include a meal on longer flights |
| Boarding | Group 1 | Priority boarding |
| Lounge Access | Not included as a Choice Extra benefit | Sometimes included on qualifying itineraries |
What Happened to Business Select?
Business Select was Southwest’s former highest fare. Under the assigned-seating fare structure, it was renamed Choice Extra. The new fare keeps many premium-ticket advantages while adding the ability to select an available Extra Legroom seat at booking.
The other former fare names changed as well:
- Wanna Get Away became Basic.
- Wanna Get Away Plus became Choice.
- Anytime became Choice Preferred.
- Business Select became Choice Extra.
Older reservations, archived articles, and past receipts may still use the previous names. For current bookings, compare the benefits shown during checkout rather than relying on an older Business Select description.
How to Upgrade Your Southwest Experience
There is no First Class upgrade, but passengers have several ways to obtain a better seat or earlier boarding.
Book Choice Extra
Choice Extra lets you select any available seat at booking, including an Extra Legroom seat. It is the simplest option for travelers who want the best seat access and premium fare benefits from the start.
Purchase a Better Seat After Booking
If seats remain available, passengers can purchase a Standard, Preferred, or Extra Legroom seat through Southwest’s website or app. Southwest’s current optional-charge table lists paid seat upgrades from $4 to $250 per passenger, per flight segment.
The exact cost depends on the flight, seat type, route, and demand. Paying for Extra Legroom changes the seat assignment; it does not convert the reservation into First Class.
Use Rapid Rewards Status Benefits
A-List Preferred members can select any available seat, including Extra Legroom, at booking and board before Group 1. A-List members can choose an available Preferred or Standard seat at booking and may move to an available Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours of departure at no additional cost.
Eligible Rapid Rewards credit cards also provide seat-selection and boarding benefits. The exact benefit depends on the card, so cardholders should review the terms attached to their account before purchasing a separate seat.
Purchase Priority Boarding
Priority Boarding provides access to the first boarding group when available. Southwest currently lists a price range of $10 to $75 per passenger, per segment. It may help with earlier overhead-bin access, but it does not include an Extra Legroom seat or change the passenger’s assigned seat.
Pro Tip: Compare the full price of Choice Extra with the cost of buying a lower fare and adding an Extra Legroom seat separately. Choice Extra may be the better value when you also need a refundable ticket, two checked bags, early boarding, or the higher Rapid Rewards earning rate.
Baggage, Drinks, and Inflight Amenities
Southwest’s fare bundles now have different checked-bag benefits. For most U.S. mainland trips booked, ticketed, or changed on or after April 9, 2026, Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares carry standard fees of $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second checked bag. Choice Extra includes two checked bags at no additional charge, subject to weight and size limits.
Some travelers receive different allowances. A-List Preferred members receive two free checked bags, while A-List members and qualifying Rapid Rewards credit cardholders generally receive a first-bag benefit. Active-duty military travelers and certain Hawaii itineraries have separate rules.
All ticketed passengers may bring one qualifying carry-on bag and one personal item without a charge. Southwest also provides free inflight entertainment on select aircraft. Rapid Rewards members currently receive complimentary Wi-Fi where available; the listed price for other passengers is $8.
Choice Extra includes a premium drink on select flights of 251 miles or more. Extra Legroom seats may also come with additional snacks and complimentary premium beverages when available. These benefits are closer to an enhanced economy experience than traditional First Class catering.
Is Choice Extra Worth It on Southwest Airlines?
Choice Extra can be worth the additional cost when several of its benefits match your trip. It is not automatically the best choice for every passenger.
Choice Extra May Be Worth It When You:
- Want to choose an Extra Legroom seat when booking.
- Need two checked bags.
- Value a refundable ticket and same-day travel flexibility.
- Want Group 1 boarding and earlier overhead-bin access.
- Expect to benefit from the 14X Rapid Rewards earning rate on an eligible paid fare.
- Would otherwise purchase several of these benefits separately.
A Lower Fare May Be Better When You:
- Are traveling with only a carry-on and personal item.
- Do not need extra legroom or a seat near the front.
- Have A-List status or credit-card benefits that already cover your preferred seat or checked bag.
- Can buy the exact seat you want for less than the difference between Choice Extra and a lower fare.
- Do not need a refundable ticket or same-day changes.
The best approach is to compare the final checkout price, including seats and bags, rather than comparing base fares alone. Choice Extra is Southwest’s top fare, but travelers seeking a true First Class cabin should compare other airlines that operate separate premium cabins.
Travelers planning a road-based trip instead of a flight can also review this guide to the best travel trailer batteries for extended adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Southwest Airlines offer First Class seating?
No. Southwest operates one cabin and does not sell First Class tickets. Its premium options are Choice Extra fares and Extra Legroom seats.
What is the best seat available on Southwest?
Extra Legroom seats provide the most space and are located at the front of the cabin and in exit rows. They offer up to three to five additional inches of seat pitch, depending on the aircraft.
Is Choice Extra the same as First Class?
No. Choice Extra is Southwest’s most premium fare bundle, but passengers remain in the same cabin as everyone else. It includes an Extra Legroom seat at booking, Group 1 boarding, two free checked bags, a refundable ticket, and other benefits.
Does Southwest still have Business Select?
Business Select was replaced by Choice Extra under Southwest’s current assigned-seating fare structure. Older articles and reservations may still display the Business Select name.
Does Southwest still use open seating?
No. Southwest introduced assigned seating for travel beginning January 27, 2026. Basic passengers normally receive a Standard seat at check-in, while higher fares include various seat-selection benefits.
Can I upgrade my Southwest seat after booking?
Yes, when seats are available. Passengers may purchase a Standard, Preferred, or Extra Legroom seat through Southwest. Current listed seat-upgrade prices range from $4 to $250 per passenger, per flight segment.
Do all Southwest fares include two free checked bags?
No. Choice Extra includes two free checked bags, but standard bag fees generally apply to Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred. Status, eligible credit cards, active-duty military travel, and certain Hawaii itineraries may provide different allowances.
Sources
- Southwest Airlines Assigned Seating — current seat categories, fare-name changes, assigned-seating date, and loyalty benefits.
- Southwest Airlines Fare Types and Benefits — Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra inclusions.
- Southwest Airlines Aircraft Specifications — seat pitch and aircraft seating measurements.
- Southwest Airlines Boarding Process — current assigned-seat boarding groups and priority rules.
- Southwest Airlines Optional Travel Charges — checked-bag fees, seat upgrades, Priority Boarding, Wi-Fi, and inflight charges.
