You're wondering about "first class" on Southwest Airlines, right? Well, let's dive in, because Southwest has a unique approach that's different from most other airlines. They don't offer a traditional "first class" cabin, but they do have ways to make your experience feel first-class for your specific needs. Let's explore how you can get the most out of your Southwest flight!
How Much is "First Class" on Southwest Airlines? A Comprehensive Guide to Upgrading Your Experience
Southwest Airlines is renowned for its low fares, two free checked bags, and no change fees. However, unlike many other major airlines, Southwest operates on an "all-economy" model. This means you won't find separate first-class or business-class cabins with lie-flat seats or dedicated service. But don't despair! Southwest offers several ways to enhance your travel experience and secure some "premium" perks, which can often feel like their version of first class. The "cost" of these enhancements varies depending on your chosen options and how you prioritize your travel needs.
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| How Much Is First Class On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Understand Southwest's Unique Seating and Fare System – No Traditional "First Class" Here!
Before we talk about costs, it's crucial to grasp Southwest's fundamental differences.
Southwest's Open Seating Policy
This is perhaps the biggest distinction. Southwest doesn't assign seats. Instead, they use an open seating policy. Passengers board in groups (A, B, and C) and positions (1-60+). Once on board, you can choose any available seat. Your boarding position is key to getting your preferred seat, whether that's a window, aisle, or even an exit row for extra legroom.
Fare Types, Not Cabin Classes
Southwest offers different fare types, each with varying benefits and levels of flexibility, rather than distinct cabin classes like First Class or Business Class. These fare types are:
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Basic (formerly Wanna Get Away): This is their most economical fare, offering the lowest price with some restrictions, such as a shorter flight credit validity period if you cancel.
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Wanna Get Away Plus: A step up, offering more flexibility, including transferable flight credits and free same-day confirmed changes.
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Anytime: This fare provides even greater flexibility, including refundable tickets and EarlyBird Check-In.
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Business Select: This is Southwest's most premium fare option, packed with perks that offer a "first-class" like experience without the separate cabin.
Now that we've set the stage, let's look at how you can get those "first-class" benefits.
Step 2: Exploring Southwest's "Premium" Offerings and Their Costs
Since there's no traditional first class, the "cost" is embedded in the fare type you choose or additional services you purchase.
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Sub-heading 2.1: Business Select - Southwest's Closest Equivalent to First Class
If you're looking for the most comprehensive "first-class" experience on Southwest, Business Select is your answer. While the seats themselves are the same as any other, the benefits are designed to provide a smoother, more prioritized journey.
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What it offers:
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Guaranteed A1-A15 Boarding Position: This is arguably the biggest perk. Being among the first to board means you get your pick of any available seat, including coveted exit rows or bulkhead seats with more legroom, and ample overhead bin space for your carry-on.
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Refundable Fare: If your plans change, your ticket is fully refundable to your original form of payment.
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14x Rapid Rewards Points: You earn the highest rate of Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent, accelerating your path to free flights.
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Complimentary Premium Drink: Enjoy a free alcoholic beverage on flights of 250 miles or more.
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Free Inflight Internet: Stay connected from take-off to landing without an extra charge.
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Two Free Checked Bags: While Southwest already offers two free checked bags for all fares, this is a consistent benefit with Business Select.
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Priority Lane and Express Lane access: At participating airports, you can often use dedicated check-in and security lanes.
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How much does it cost? The price of Business Select varies significantly based on the route, demand, and how far in advance you book. It will always be the most expensive fare option for a given flight. For example, on a short-haul flight, it might be an additional $50-$100 compared to a Wanna Get Away fare, while on longer or more popular routes, the difference could be several hundred dollars. The best way to determine the cost is to directly compare the fare types when searching for your flight on Southwest.com.
Sub-heading 2.2: Upgraded Boarding - A la Carte Priority
Don't want to pay for the full Business Select fare but still want to board early? Upgraded Boarding is an excellent option, available for purchase within 24 hours of your flight's departure.
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What it offers:
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A1-A15 Boarding Position: Similar to Business Select, this gives you early access to the plane and your choice of seat.
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How much does it cost? Upgraded Boarding costs between $30 and $149 per segment, per passenger. The price varies based on the route and demand. You can typically purchase this at the gate or through the Southwest app after you've checked in for your flight. Availability is limited, so it's not always an option, especially on full flights.
Sub-heading 2.3: EarlyBird Check-In - Automated Early Boarding
If you prefer a hands-off approach to securing a better boarding position, EarlyBird Check-In is for you.
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What it offers:
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Automatic Check-in: Southwest automatically checks you in 36 hours before your flight, 12 hours before general check-in opens. This typically secures you a better boarding position (often in the A or early B group), though not a guaranteed A1-A15 like Business Select or Upgraded Boarding.
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Earlier access to overhead bins: With a better boarding position, you're more likely to find space for your carry-on.
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How much does it cost? EarlyBird Check-In typically ranges from $15 to $99 per one-way flight, per passenger. The price depends on the popularity and length of the flight. You can purchase this when you initially book your flight or add it later, up to a certain point before departure (subject to availability).
Step 3: Leveraging Rapid Rewards Status for "First Class" Perks
If you fly Southwest frequently, achieving A-List or A-List Preferred status through their Rapid Rewards program can unlock many "first-class" like benefits without additional cost on each flight.
Sub-heading 3.1: A-List Status
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How to earn it: Fly 20 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.
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What it offers:
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Priority Boarding: You and everyone on your reservation get an earlier boarding position (often in the A or early B group).
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25% Earning Bonus: Earn points faster on every qualifying flight.
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Dedicated A-List Phone Line: Get quicker access to customer service.
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Priority Lane and Express Lane: Expedited check-in and security at participating airports.
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Free Same-Day Standby: Flexibility to try for an earlier flight.
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First Checked Bag Free: While all Southwest fares already include two free checked bags, this ensures your first bag is free even if you book a fare that might eventually charge for it (e.g., if bag policies change in the future for Basic fares).
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Sub-heading 3.2: A-List Preferred Status
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This is the highest tier and offers the most premium benefits.
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How to earn it: Fly 40 qualifying one-way flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.
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What it offers (in addition to A-List benefits):
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Guaranteed A1-A15 Boarding Position: Similar to Business Select, you'll be among the first to board.
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100% Earning Bonus: Double the points on every qualifying flight!
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Free Inflight Internet: Stay connected on every flight.
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Up to Two Complimentary Premium Drinks: Enjoy a drink or two on eligible flights.
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Second Checked Bag Free: Again, this is generally standard, but guaranteed with this status.
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Ability to select any available seat at booking, including Extra Legroom (effective May 28, 2025): This is a significant new perk, allowing A-List Preferred members to reserve the best seats at no extra cost from the moment they book.
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Cost of Status: The "cost" here isn't a direct payment per flight, but rather the investment of your travel over a year to achieve the required flights or points. If you fly Southwest regularly, these benefits can save you money on EarlyBird Check-In or Upgraded Boarding and significantly enhance your travel experience.
Step 4: Maximizing Comfort and Perks Without Direct "First Class" Payments
Even if you don't opt for Business Select or have elite status, you can still enhance your Southwest flight.
Sub-heading 4.1: Strategic Check-in
Set an alarm! Southwest's online check-in opens exactly 24 hours before your flight's departure. Being among the first to check in can significantly improve your boarding position (getting you into the A or early B group), giving you a better chance at your preferred seat and overhead bin space. This costs nothing but a few minutes of your time!
Sub-heading 4.2: Family Boarding
If you're traveling with a child six years old or younger, Southwest offers Family Boarding. This occurs after the A group has boarded and before the B group begins, allowing up to two adults traveling with the child to board early and find seats together. This is a free benefit for eligible families.
Sub-heading 4.3: Leveraging Credit Card Benefits
Certain Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer perks that can enhance your travel, such as:
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Annual Rapid Rewards Points: Helps you accumulate points for free flights.
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Anniversary Bonuses: Additional points just for being a cardmember.
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EarlyBird Check-In Credits: Some cards offer complimentary EarlyBird Check-Ins each year.
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Tier Qualifying Points Boost: Spending on certain cards can help you earn A-List or A-List Preferred status faster.
While these cards have annual fees, the benefits can easily outweigh the cost if you fly Southwest frequently.
The Bottom Line on Southwest's "First Class"
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Southwest Airlines doesn't have a traditional first-class cabin. Therefore, there's no fixed "first class" price. Instead, the cost of a "premium" experience on Southwest is determined by:
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Your chosen fare type: Business Select offers the most integrated benefits, at the highest price point.
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Optional add-ons: Upgraded Boarding and EarlyBird Check-In provide individual perks for a fee.
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Your Rapid Rewards elite status: Frequent flyers can unlock a suite of complimentary "first-class" benefits.
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Smart travel strategies: Timely check-in and utilizing family boarding can also enhance your flight without extra cost.
Ultimately, "how much is first class on Southwest Airlines" is a question of what benefits you value most and how much you're willing to pay for them within Southwest's unique system.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to get early boarding on Southwest Airlines?
You can get early boarding by purchasing a Business Select fare, buying Upgraded Boarding (if available within 24 hours of departure), purchasing EarlyBird Check-In, or by holding A-List or A-List Preferred elite status. Checking in exactly 24 hours before your flight also helps secure a better boarding position.
How to get extra legroom on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest doesn't have dedicated extra legroom seats that you can specifically pay for (like "Economy Plus" on other airlines). However, with an early boarding position (A1-A15 from Business Select, Upgraded Boarding, or A-List Preferred status), you'll have the first choice of available seats, including exit rows and bulkhead seats, which offer more legroom. From May 28, 2025, A-List Preferred members can select Extra Legroom seats at booking.
How to get free checked bags on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines offers two free checked bags to all passengers on all fare types. There's no additional cost for the first two checked bags, provided they adhere to weight and size limits.
How to get free Wi-Fi on Southwest Airlines?
Free Wi-Fi is included with a Business Select fare or if you have A-List Preferred elite status. Otherwise, inflight internet typically costs $8 per device.
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How to change a flight on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines is known for its flexible change policy. You can change your flight without a change fee, though a fare difference may apply depending on the new flight's price. You can make changes online through your reservation or by calling customer service.
How to get a refund for a Southwest Airlines ticket?
Refundability depends on your fare type. Business Select and Anytime fares are fully refundable to your original form of payment if canceled at least 10 minutes before departure. Wanna Get Away Plus and Basic fares offer flight credits instead of refunds, with varying validity periods.
How to earn Rapid Rewards points faster with Southwest Airlines?
You can earn Rapid Rewards points faster by purchasing higher fare types (Business Select earns the most), flying frequently to achieve A-List or A-List Preferred status (which offers earning bonuses), using Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards for everyday purchases, and shopping with Rapid Rewards partners.
How to select seats on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest operates on an open seating policy, meaning you don't select seats in advance (with new changes for A-List Preferred members starting May 28, 2025). Your ability to choose your preferred seat is based on your boarding position. The earlier you board, the more options you'll have.
How to use a Southwest flight credit?
Southwest flight credits are typically valid for a certain period (e.g., 6 or 12 months from the original ticketing date) and can be applied towards the purchase of a new flight. You can usually apply them during the booking process online.
How to get priority security at the airport with Southwest Airlines?
Priority security lane access (Express Lane) is typically available for Business Select customers and A-List/A-List Preferred members at participating airports. This helps expedite your passage through security checkpoints.
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