Southwest Airlines new fare bundles: Will your bags fly free?
Ahead of its plans to begin charging for checked baggage and end open seating, Southwest Airlines is implementing another customer service change.
Southwest is rebranding its fare classes and introducing new fare bundles based on them: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra.
Passengers' ability to pick a seat, their place in boarding and whether they must pay to check their luggage will depend on what fare bundle they book.
The new fare bundles will go on sale this summer for flights starting in the first three months of 2026, timed with the start of assigned and premium seating. Here's a look at Southwest Airlines' new fare bundles and what each one includes.
Here are Southwest's new fair bundles and which current pricing tier they correspond to:
Basic: The lowest-priced fares with the most restrictions. Formerly Wanna Get Away.
Choice: A moderately priced fare with more perks, including the ability to choose a standard seat. Formerly Wanna Get Away Plus.
Choice Preferred: Offers the ability to choose any standard or preferred seat; preferred seats are standard seats closer to the front of the cabin. Formerly Anytime.
Choice Extra: The most expensive bundle includes premium Extra Legroom seats, two free checked bags and early boarding, among other perks. Formerly Business Select.
Basic is Southwest's basic economy fare, with the most restrictions and fewest perks. Passengers earn two Rapid Rewards points for each dollar spent.
Basic fare passengers are assigned a standard seat in the back of the cabin at check-in, are the last to board and cannot make changes to their reservation once it's booked.
There are no fees to cancel a flight. Flight credits for Basic fares are nontransferable and expire after six months.
Passengers booking the Basic fare must pay to check luggage.
Passengers booking the Choice fare bundle can select a standard seat in the back of the cabin. Passengers earn six Rapid Rewards points for each dollar spent.
Flights can be changed at no extra charge other than the fare difference, and flight credits for changes and cancellations are valid for 12 months.
Choice fares qualify for same-day changes and same-day standby.
Passengers booking the Choice fare must pay to check luggage.
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Passengers booking the Choice Preferred fare bundle can select a Preferred seat, which are standard seats in the front of the cabin.
Passengers earn 10 Rapid Rewards points for each dollar spent.
Choice Preferred fares qualify for same-day changes and same-day standby.
Fares are refundable when canceled. Flights can be changed at no extra charge other than the fare difference, and flight credits for changes are valid for 12 months.
Choice Preferred passengers get early general boarding and can board from a priority/express lane.
Passengers booking the Choice Preferred fare must pay to check luggage.
With Choice Extra, passengers can book Southwest's premium Extra Legroom seats, which offer 3 to 5 more inches of legroom than standard seats.
Passengers earn 14 Rapid Rewards points for each dollar spent.
Choice Extra fares qualify for same-day changes and same-day standby.
Fares are refundable when canceled and flights can be changed at no extra charge other than the fare difference. Flight credits for changes are valid for 12 months.
Choice Extra passengers get early boarding and can board from a priority/express lane.
Choice Extra is the only fare class that offers up to two free checked bags, free in-flight internet and a free premium drink.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Southwest's new fare bundles: What you get for your money
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