Sales for assigned seats are expected to begin in the second half of 2025, and the first flights with the new model will operate in the first half of 2026.

It's the end of Southwest Airlines' open seating era. Customers will be able to get assigned seats and and pay for extra legroom. Here's what to know.

Southwest Airlines executives have unveiled their vision for turning the carrier into an airline that gives passengers assigned seats, charges them extra for more legroom and offers red-eye flights but bags still fly free.