Southwest grows complex

Southwest is turning into a more layered airline, with seat classes, bag fees and airport rankings all shifting at once. (southwest.com) Its route map is shifting too. Cirium schedule data cited by Simple Flying shows Las Vegas passed Denver in April 2026 by departures, 7,367 to 7,304, and stays ahead in May at 7,611 to 7,504 before Denver moves back in front after that. (simpleflying.com) Southwest’s own fare pages show how different the product now looks: assigned seating is bookable for trips starting Jan. 27, 2026, with Basic fares getting a standard seat at check-in and Choice Extra including an Extra Legroom seat and two free checked bags. (southwest.com) Bag pricing changed again on April 9, 2026. Southwest said first checked bags rose from $35 to $45 and second checked bags from $45 to $55, while A-List Preferred and Choice Extra customers still get two free checked bags and A-List and Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers still get one free bag. (swamedia.com) That means the cheapest ticket no longer tells you much about the final price. Southwest says Basic customers board last, may have bag fees, and get a standard seat assigned at check-in, while higher bundles add earlier boarding, seat choice and free bags. (southwest.com) The seating overhaul also changed how extra space works for larger travelers. Southwest’s extra-seat policy now says customers who encroach on a neighboring seat must buy the needed seats before travel, and if adjacent seats are unavailable they can be rebooked onto another flight. (southwest.com) At the airport, the stakes are higher than under Southwest’s old open-seating system. The airline says a traveler who did not reserve an extra seat in advance can be required to buy one at the day-of-travel fare, and if that determination comes after boarding the passenger may have to deplane for rebooking. (southwest.com) Some passengers say the new rules have made those decisions more public. Business Insider reported on April 19 that TikTok posts criticizing the policy drew millions of views, with travelers describing gate interactions they said felt humiliating, while Southwest’s policy says refunds for an extra seat are available only after travel and only if at least one seat went out empty. (businessinsider.com, southwest.com) At the same time, Southwest is adding pieces that look more like a legacy airline. The carrier began St. Maarten service on April 7, 2026, with daily Orlando flights and weekend Baltimore service, and Chief Executive Bob Jordan told Bloomberg on April 14 that lounges are a “near term” pursuit. (swamedia.com, bloomberg.com) For travelers, especially families, the old Southwest shortcut of comparing base fares is fading. The airline still flies the same Boeing 737 network, but in 2026 the real comparison is ticket price plus bags, seat selection, boarding position and whether everyone in the group can sit together. (simpleflying.com, southwest.com)