Travel
Southwest Airlines Breaks with Tradition — Assigned Seating Comes to the Friendly Skies in 2026
Southwest Airlines is introducing assigned seating for the first time, starting January 27, 2026. Learn how SEATISFACTION™ will change your travel experience.
Last Updated on July 29, 2025 by Daily News Staff
737 MAX-8 // Ashlee D. Smith
For decades, Southwest Airlines has carved out a unique space in the airline industry by sticking to a first-come, first-served boarding process that passengers either loved or loathed. But all of that is about to change. Beginning July 29, 2025, Southwest customers will have the option to choose their seats at the time of booking for flights starting January 27, 2026.
Dubbed SEATISFACTION™, this new program marks a major evolution for the Dallas-based carrier, bringing with it more flexibility, upgraded options, and—for many—long-awaited peace of mind.
What’s Changing?
In a statement from Tony Roach, Executive Vice President of Customer & Brand, the airline emphasized that this move is all about “more choice and greater control” for travelers. “Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our Customers,” Roach said, “including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats—and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin.”
For the first time, Southwest flyers will be able to:
Choose seats during booking, including Extra Legroom, Preferred, and Standard seats. Opt for upgraded seating through various fare bundles. Purchase seat upgrades even with a Basic fare. Priority boarding can now be purchased 24 hours before departure.
Special Perks for Rapid Rewards® Members and Loyal Flyers
Southwest is also rewarding loyalty in new ways. A-List and A-List Preferred members, as well as Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Cardholders, can select seats at booking or within 48 hours of departure—even when flying on Basic fares.
This makes it easier for loyal customers to access top-tier experiences without needing to upgrade their entire fare.
Rethinking the Boarding Process
To complement the rollout of assigned seating, Southwest is also introducing a new boarding process. No more jockeying for position in the A, B, or C groups.
Starting January 27, 2026, boarding will follow a group-based structure based on seat location, with Extra Legroom passengers and premium fare holders boarding first in Groups 1–2. Frequent flyers and credit cardholders will also enjoy earlier boarding positions.
Marketing the Moment: “Are You Sitting Down?”
To promote the change, Southwest has launched a cheeky new campaign called “Are You Sitting Down?” The ad series uses the airline’s trademark humor to introduce the new era of assigned seating, promising a smoother, more enjoyable travel experience without losing the friendly flair Southwest is known for.
Why Now?
While Southwest has built a brand on simplicity and no-frills flying, growing demand for customization—especially post-pandemic—has pushed even the most steadfast legacy practices to evolve. For business travelers, families, and tall passengers alike, knowing where you’ll sit before boarding has become less of a luxury and more of an expectation.
With this move, Southwest aims to balance customer autonomy with its core identity of hospitality and affordability.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’ve always rushed to check in early to nab that perfect aisle seat or dreaded the uncertainty of the open-seating scramble, 2026 promises a more tailored flying experience on Southwest Airlines.
The choice is now truly yours.
Related Links:
SEATISFACTION™ details at Southwest.com
Rapid Rewards® Credit Card information [Southwest’s “Are You Sitting Down?” campaign video]
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home gardening
Start Planning Now for a Thriving Spring Garden
Winter offers an ideal time to plan for a successful spring garden. Assess your current space, research planting ideas, and design an efficient layout. Enhance soil health with compost, start seeds indoors for stronger plants, and organize tools to ensure readiness for the growing season. Prepare now for a thriving garden.
Start Planning Now for a Thriving Spring Garden
(Family Features) While winter weather puts outdoor gardening on pause in most parts of the country, the colder months offer a perfect opportunity to begin preparing for a lush garden come springtime.
With a little creativity, and some extra time spent creating a plan, you can set yourself on a path toward success before the growing season even begins.
Assess Your Space and Research Ideas
Evaluate your current garden, taking note of what worked well last season and where improvements can be made. Use this downtime to sketch an updated layout, research companion plants and decide which fruits, vegetables or flowers you want to grow next based on what did (or didn’t) work last spring.
Build an Updated Blueprint
Winter is the ideal time to upgrade your garden design and make tweaks for efficiency. Use the offseason to consider crop rotation patterns for optimal soil health as well as ways to maximize your space such as raised beds, trellises or containers. You can also make a list of materials needed for any new features you may be adding, such as an irrigation system, and map out their placement so you’re ready to build as soon as the weather allows.
Nourish the Soil
Even if the ground is frozen, you can prepare your garden beds by adding compost, leaves or organic matter in late winter, ensuring nutrients are available when spring arrives. Also remember to test your soil’s pH level now, which can help guide your fertilization plan.
Start Seeds Indoors
If you’re eager to get your hands dirty, consider starting your seeds indoors. Early seed starting gives plants a head start, allowing you to transplant stronger seedlings outdoors when temperatures warm.
Get Organized
Use the slower pace of winter to clean and sharpen your garden tools, sort through leftover seeds and make a supply checklist so you’re ready to dig in when warmer days arrive.
Find more advice to get your garden ready to burst to life in spring at eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Last Updated on January 4, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Urban Gardening 101
(Family Features) Urban living and lush gardens aren’t as mutually exclusive as one might assume. In fact, it’s possible to cultivate thriving gardens in even the smallest spaces.
The first step toward creating a successful small garden space is planning. Sketching out your garden area with a clear understanding of the actual dimensions is important. This allows you to allocate adequate growing space for the vegetation you choose and prevent overcrowding.
Part of your planning should also take climate into account. If the sun reaches your garden area, knowing what time the sun typically hits matters. Some plants are poorly equipped to handle the strength of direct afternoon rays.
Other matters to consider are the soil quality and whether it is adequate to nourish vegetation. If not, you may need to excavate and refill your planting areas with nutrient-rich gardening soil. Access to water is also a concern; if you’ll be forced to water by can, avoid choosing plants that would better benefit from a thorough hose soaking.
As you begin planning the actual contents of your garden, don’t hesitate to blend edibles with beauty. Many herbs offer attractive textures and colors that can add variety to a colorful selection of flowering plants. Edible plants such as strawberries offer color from blooms (and later brightly hued fruit), as well as trailing greenery that looks pretty along the edges of potted containers.
If your goal is color, give consideration to the blooming season for your selected plants. Unless you plan to enjoy your garden for just a short season, choose a variety of plants and flowers that bloom throughout your region’s entire growing season.
Especially in the smallest garden spaces, it’s smart to make the most of vertical space. Use a trellis or other structure to encourage vining vegetation to grow upward rather than outward. Hanging baskets or buckets are ideal for inverted growth of plants such as tomatoes or peppers, and shelving or tiered plant stands are handy for creating more plant real estate in smaller garden spaces.
Beautiful gardens need not be limited to those with expansive lawns in rural communities. Though smaller in scale, urban gardens can deliver equal beauty and a surprising volume of edible bounty with proper preparation and design. Find more tips at eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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holidays
This Holiday Season, No Wrapping Required: Give the Gift of Connection Through Travel
Give the Gift of Connection: The most thoughtful gift this holiday season might not be something you can unwrap, but rather something you can experience. A travel getaway offers the promise of sunrise hikes, city lights and ocean breezes that create meaningful moments and memories lasting well beyond the holidays.
Last Updated on December 20, 2025 by Daily News Staff
This Holiday Season, No Wrapping Required: Give the Gift of Connection
(Family Features) The most thoughtful gift this holiday season might not be something you can unwrap, but rather something you can experience. A travel getaway offers the promise of sunrise hikes, city lights and ocean breezes that create meaningful moments and memories lasting well beyond the holidays. Meaningful experiences are easier to give and receive than ever before. With exclusive holiday offers, you can help your loved ones create unforgettable memories in the destinations that inspire them most, showing them just how much you truly care. An Escape for Everyone From romantic weekends and family getaways to solo retreats and wellness escapes, there’s a world of connections and experiences waiting to be discovered. Whether your next bucket list getaway or a return stay in a beloved destination, World of Hyatt’s 2025 Cyber Offer invites members to start planning one-of-a-kind holiday season getaways or start booking now for 2026 trips. Members receive early access to savings, up to 30% off qualifying stays on trips booked by December 11, 2025 for travel between November 20, 2025-April 30, 2026. With more than 750 hotels and resorts featured in the sale, there’s an adventure for every type of traveler at destinations like:
United States- Hyatt Regency Times Square: Discover legendary theater and culture, renowned restaurants and iconic attractions all within minutes of this historic Broadway neighborhood.
- Caption By Hyatt Downtown Nashville: Enjoy one of Nashville’s most vibrant and walkable neighborhoods with a location just steps from live music, local art, buzzing nightlife and top-rated restaurants.
- Hyatt Studios Mobile/Tillmans Corner: This extended stay hotel concept offers everything you need to live, work and rest well with thoughtful comforts, sleek studio apartment-style rooms and a 24-hour fitness studio.
- Grand Hyatt Baha Mar: Delight in every moment of your stay and make memories that last a lifetime at this stunning resort in Nassau, Bahamas, from authentic service to pristine waters and sugar sand beaches.
- Secrets Tides Punta Cana: Experience a serene seaside retreat along a palm-studded beach, offering over 650 suites designed for relaxation and comfort.
- Alila Mayakoba: Set amid tranquil lagoons and tropical forests, this Riviera Maya sanctuary combines modern elegance with a deep connection to its surroundings, inviting guests to unwind, explore and reconnect with nature.
- Hyatt Place Cancún Airport: Perfectly suited for leisure and corporate travelers, discover a launchpad for travel and adventures adjacent to Cancún International Airport and local business parks.
- Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica: Relax, reconnect, stimulate your senses and connect with local culture at this immersive resort that offers multi-bedroom villas with plunge pools, three beaches, adventure programming, world-class golf and more.
- Park Hyatt Toronto: Blending contemporary sophistication with timeless Canadian character, this urban retreat offers refined design, elevated dining and panoramic city views that capture the spirit of modern Toronto.
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