Southwest Airlines' signature policy to come to an end on Tuesday

"Southwest Airlines is set to overhaul its boarding procedure on Jan. 27 as it switches from open to assigned seating for all passengers, a change that could eliminate its problem of accommodating "Jetbridge Jesus" cheaters who use wheelchairs to get the best seats; with the Transportation Security Administration's Real ID deadline looming, the agency says thousands of passengers every day still don't have acceptable documents;"

"Alaska Airlines lays out the details of its new Atmos Rewards loyalty program for 2026; American Airlines' mobile app now gives customers options for revising their trips during schedule disruptions; United Airlines says its Connection Saver product saved a million customers from missing their onward flights last year; United is set to introduce a new transcontinental route from San Francisco this summer; and public charter operator JSX plans to bring turboprop service to the Bay Area."

"Since late July, the airline has been offering seat selection to passengers who made reservations to fly Jan. 27 or later, and the policy change means customers will have to adjust to new boarding procedures. Along with assigned seats, new seating categories are also in effect. Southwest now offers three kinds of seats: Extra Legroom in the front of the aircraft, which it has been installing for months now; Preferred seats, which are regular coach seats mid-cabin behind the extra-legroom section;"

Southwest Airlines will end its decades-old open seating policy and implement assigned seating on Jan. 27, requiring passengers to select seats and follow new boarding procedures. The airline added Extra Legroom, Preferred, and Standard seat categories and has offered seat selection since late July. The Transportation Security Administration reports thousands of travelers daily still lack acceptable Real ID documents ahead of the deadline. Alaska Airlines revealed its Atmos Rewards loyalty program for 2026. American Airlines updated its mobile app to allow trip revisions during schedule disruptions. United's Connection Saver protected a million customers from missed connections last year. United plans a new transcontinental San Francisco route this summer, and JSX intends to add turboprop service to the Bay Area.

Read at SFGATE