Southwest Airlines Begins Cabin Reconfiguration to Introduce Extra Legroom Seating
ID 154223263 | Southwest Airlines © Ajdibilio | Dreamstime.com
Southwest Airlines is officially launching a major cabin reconfiguration initiative aimed at introducing extra legroom seating across its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet. The project is set to roll out fleetwide beginning April 30, 2025, with completion targeted by the end of 2025.
Reconfiguration Details and Cabin Impact
As part of the new layout, 37 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft will have standard seat pitch reduced by one inch to make room for a newly designated extra legroom section. While precise details of the seat map have not yet been disclosed, the reconfiguration signals a shift in Southwest’s traditionally uniform cabin offering.
Historically known for its single-class, open seating model, Southwest has not offered differentiated seating products such as extra legroom or premium economy options. This marks a significant departure from its legacy cabin model and introduces a more tiered experience for passengers.
Assigned Seating Timeline and Future Rollout
Despite the addition of new seating zones, assigned seating will not be introduced until late September 2025, and even then, it will only apply to flights beginning in Q1 2026. Until that point, the airline will continue operating under its current open boarding process, where passengers select seats based on check-in order.
For travelers flying Southwest throughout the remainder of 2025, these reconfigured cabins may begin appearing without any formal distinction in the seating chart or reservation system—at least until assigned seating goes live. Passengers should anticipate subtle changes in seat pitch as the program scales up.
Bottom Line
Southwest Airlines is beginning to reconfigure its 737 MAX 8 fleet to accommodate extra legroom seating, with standard seat pitch reduced by one inch in some rows to make space for premium seats. The fleetwide reconfiguration will run from April through the end of 2025, though assigned seating won’t be implemented until late September for flights starting in early 2026. In the meantime, passengers should be aware of potential layout changes under the current open seating model.
