Southwest Airlines’ new seats to enter service on October 16

Southwest Airlines has disclosed that its first aircraft to have the new seats installed will make its commercial debut on October 16, 2025, flying from Dallas to Houston, with the airline also planning to retrofit some of its Boeing 737-800 and 737-700 aircraft.

The first aircraft to have the carrier’s newest seats, a 737 MAX 8, registered as N8972S, should enter service on October 16, with Flightradar24 showing that the single-aisle jet is scheduled to fly from Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).

Boeing delivered the 737 MAX 8 on October 3, when the airline brought the aircraft to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on a delivery flight from King County International Airport (BFI). It moved the single-aisle jet from PHX to DAL on October 14.

Southwest Airlines highlighted that the new seats, based on the RECARO R2, including the ‘Extra Legroom (ELR)’ experience, will complement the airline’s other cabin upgrades, such as the new design of the cabins, in-seat power at every seat, and seatback design updates.

“The design is based on extensive research covering Customer and Employee perceptions of color, comfort, and aspirations for the overall onboard experience, and it’s meant to create a cabin environment that feels modern, welcoming, and uniquely Southwest.”

The airline noted that it will begin operating flights with assigned and premium seating options from January 27, 2026. Flying on the premium ELR seats will also allow travelers to board in either Group 1 or 2, and receive complimentary “premium” beverages and enhanced snack options.

ELRs are situated between the first and sixth rows (the sixth row has ELRs on only one side of the aisle) and between the 14th and 16th rows, which is the exit row, on board its aircraft. Southwest Airlines’ 737 MAX 8s will continue being fitted with 175 seats.

Southwest Airlines said that the new seats will be present on all new aircraft deliveries. Since the delivery of N8972S, Boeing also delivered on N8973S and N8975K on October 8 and October 9, respectively. All three operated their first flights in early September, according to planespotters.net.

N8973S entered service on October 14, while N8975K is scheduled to fly for the first time from PHX to Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) on October 16.

"The aircraft delivered after N8972S are also equipped with the elevated aircraft cabin design and Customer enhancements," a Southwest Airlines spokesperson said in a statement to The Engine Cowl.

Some 737-800 will be fitted with the new RECARO R2s later this year, while “more than half” of 737-700s will have the new seats. Retrofits of the smallest Southwest Airlines’ aircraft should begin in H2 2026 and be done by mid-2027. “Aircraft expected to remain in our fleet longest are being prioritized for this upgrade,” it said.

The passenger experience will be enhanced further with the launch of free WiFi for all Rapid Rewards Members from October 24. The airline unveiled the free and unlimited internet service in September, having begun installations of Viasat’s next-generation Ka-band satellite in-flight connectivity (IFC) system in 2023, as well as upgrades of its existing Anuvu hardware in 2022.

Southwest Airlines began rolling out passenger experience upgrades throughout 2024 and 2025. Perhaps the most controversial change was the end of the two-bags-fly-free policy starting on May 27, 2025.

Since then, only Choice Extra (its most expensive fare type), Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members, and Getaways by Southwest customers get two free checked bags.

Some of the passenger-side changes have been implemented after Elliot Investment Management (Elliott) had attempted to take over the C-suite of Southwest Airlines. The proxy fight lasted between June and October 2024, resulting in the eventual early retirement of Gary Kelly, the now-former Chairman and previous Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Southwest Airlines, as well as significant board changes.

Despite Elliott’s threats to oust him, CEO Bob Jordan kept his job at the carrier. At the same time, Southwest Airlines conducted its first-ever layoffs, announced in February 2025, in a bid to transform the airline “leaner, faster, and more agile organization,” Jordan stated then.

During the Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference on September 11, Jordan said that while it is still early, it has seen “really good results already.”

“And we just are not seeing a lot of customer pushback. We are not seeing any evidence of book away […].”