Going forward, even more changes are on the horizon. On Thursday, Southwest shared a revamp to its Rapid Rewards Credit Cards. Those adjustments involve new perks that are effective immediately, but come with a cost. Each of the five credit cards will have a spike in annual fees .

Just two months after ending its long-standing “Bags Fly Free” policy, the airline has announced when it will roll out assigned seating — a significant shift from its traditional boarding process. For decades, Southwest used a first-come, first-served system, along with free checked bags, that set it apart from its competitors.

Southwest Airlines, long praised for its "Bags Fly Free" policy, announced in March it would end free checked baggage for most travelers. The revised policy took effect on May 28, requiring the majority of passengers to pay for their first and second ...

Southwest Airlines' transition to assigned seating follows recent policy changes including the end of their bags fly free policy, prompting mixed reactions from passengers.

Though larger airlines serve Milwaukee, Southwest operates the most flights out of Mitchell International Airport, including 17 nonstop flights to destinations in the U.S. and Mexico. Here's what else to know about Southwest's new assigned seating rules, plus which other policy changes the airline has adapted recently:

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is on target to reach its financial goals after it reported higher-than-expected revenues from checked bags.

Southwest Airlines has announced a major change coming to its current seating system. The Texas-based airline previously had a “pick any seat” policy, allowing customers to purchase tickets in different boarding groups by selecting where they wanted to sit upon boarding the plane.

As it turns out, that's only increased since Southwest ended free bags and made those other unpopular changes.

Southwest Airlines will officially end its decades-old open seating policy and introduce assigned seating starting January 27, 2026.