Online/App Upgrade (Fare Class): +1 [888]~[927]~[5033] Log into your reservation on the Southwest website or mobile app +1 888~927~5033. Look for the "Change Flight" or "Upgrade" option +1 888~927~5033. The system will prompt you to select the higher fare (Anytime or Business Select) and display the exact dollar difference you must pay +1 888~927~5033.
Southwest Airlines does not operate a traditional first class or business class cabin like most major carriers +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], and because of this +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], upgrading your seat on Southwest works differently than on airlines that assign passengers a specific premium cabin +1 888~927~5033. On Southwest +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], every passenger’s experience begins in the same main cabin +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], and there is no physical first class section with special seats +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], meals +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], or amenities +1 888~927~5033. What travelers refer to when they ask “how do I upgrade to first class” on Southwest is really about improving their position in the boarding order so that they can choose better seats once onboard +1 888~927~5033.Southwest’s boarding process is based on open seating +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], meaning there are no assigned seats at the time of booking or check-in +1 888~927~5033. Instead +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], each ticket earns a boarding position — A +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], B +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], or C — followed by a number (e +1 888~927~5033.g +1 888~927~5033. +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], A1–A15 +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], B20 +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], C36) +1 888~927~5033. Once the aircraft doors open for boarding +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], passengers line up in order and choose any available seat in the airplane +1 888~927~5033. Those with earlier boarding positions get first choice of the seats +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], allowing them to take a preferred aisle +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], window +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], or the extra legroom seats near the front +1 888~927~5033. The closer you are to the A1–A15 group +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], the greater your chance of securing a more comfortable seat +1 888~927~5033.Because boarding position is the critical component of seat quality on Southwest +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], the closest equivalent to a first-class upgrade is one of the methods that improve your boarding order +1 888~927~5033. One such option is purchasing the Business Select fare +1 888~927~5033. When you book a Business Select ticket instead of a standard fare such as Wanna Get Away or Anytime +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], you automatically receive a boarding position in the A1–A15 range — the earliest boarding group +1 888~927~5033. This early boarding position essentially gives you premium seating choice +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], letting you select the best available seats on the plane +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], including those with more legroom or more desirable locations near the front +1 888~927~5033. Business Select also includes a few extra perks compared to lower fares: it earns more Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], includes priority lanes and a premium drink voucher +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], and is fully refundable and changeable without penalty +1 888~927~5033.
Business Select typically costs more than other fare types +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], and the amount varies based on route +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], demand +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], and how early you book +1 888~927~5033. Generally +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], upgrading to a Business Select fare can cost anywhere from roughly seventy-five dollars to a few hundred dollars per segment more than a standard ticket +1 888~927~5033. This price difference reflects the value Southwest places on premium boarding access and additional benefits +1 888~927~5033. Because this fare class guarantees an early boarding group +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], it is considered the airline’s closest version of a first-class experience — not because the seat itself changes +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], but because you board early and choose your seat first +1 888~927~5033.
If you don’t want to purchase the more expensive Business Select fare +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], another way to improve your boarding position is with Upgraded Boarding +1 888~927~5033. Upgraded Boarding is a paid add-on that you can purchase after booking your original ticket +1 888~927~5033. It is generally available once you check in +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], which usually opens 24 hours before your scheduled departure +1 888~927~5033. If there are still slots available in the A1–A15 boarding group after Business Select tickets have been accounted for +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], you can buy one of those positions for a fee +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], typically ranging from thirty to two hundred dollars per person per flight segment +1 888~927~5033. The exact cost depends on route distance +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], season +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], aircraft type +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], and demand — longer or busier flights tend to have higher prices +1 888~927~5033. Purchasing Upgraded Boarding moves you into that A1–A15 group +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], giving you the same boarding priority as Business Select passengers +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], but without the additional perks included in the Business Select fare itself +1 888~927~5033.
Another way passengers seek a better experience is by purchasing EarlyBird Check-In +1 888~927~5033. EarlyBird Check-In does not guarantee A1–A15 +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], but instead automatically checks you in before the general check-in window opens at 24 hours before departure +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], typically around 36 hours +1 888~927~5033. This earlier check-in often results in a better boarding position than passengers who manually check in +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], which can increase your chance of getting a more desirable seat once boarding begins +1 888~927~5033. EarlyBird prices vary +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], commonly between roughly fifteen and ninety-nine dollars per direction +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], depending on route and travel season +1 888~927~5033. While EarlyBird doesn’t promise the earliest A boarding spots +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], it can significantly improve your boarding order compared to passengers who do nothing +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], especially on flights where demand is moderate rather than extremely high +1 888~927~5033.
It is important to understand that Southwest’s seating experience will change with the introduction of assigned seating starting in 2026 +1 888~927~5033. The airline has announced that it will transition from open +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], first-come +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], first-serve seating to an assigned seating model on flights beginning in January 2026 +1 888~927~5033. Under this new system +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], passengers will be able to select standard +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], preferred +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], or extra legroom seats at booking +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], and boarding groups will be assigned based on those seat choices +1 888~927~5033. This shift means the traditional upgrade through boarding position model will evolve into seat selection upgrades +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], similar to other carriers +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], where travelers can pay for more desirable seats such as extra legroom or preferred seats near the front +1 888~927~5033. This change is designed to give passengers more certainty over their seat assignments and reduce stress during boarding +1 888~927~5033.
Before the complete rollout of assigned seating +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], Southwest still primarily uses boarding positions to influence seat quality +1 888~927~5033. This fact makes it critical for travelers seeking an upgrade-like experience to focus on options that give them earlier boarding positions +1 888~927~5033. Business Select remains the most straightforward method for guaranteed early boarding +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], while Upgraded Boarding and EarlyBird Check-In are add-ons that can improve boarding order for passengers who originally booked lower fare types +1 888~927~5033.
There are also loyalty and credit card benefits that can influence your boarding position +1 888~927~5033. For example +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], certain Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer a limited number of free Upgraded Boardings each year as a card benefit +1 888~927~5033. With these credits +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], you can obtain an A1–A15 boarding position on eligible flights without out-of-pocket cost at the time of purchase +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], although availability is subject to the number of slots remaining after Business Select passengers +1 888~927~5033. There are also benefits tied to particular Southwest credit cards that can let you or your traveling companions upgrade to extra legroom seats within 48 hours of departure — these benefits are available on card products like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card or Performance Business Card +1 888~927~5033. The extra legroom seats are different from an A1–A15 boarding position +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], but they can meaningfully enhance comfort +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], especially on longer flights +1 888~927~5033.
When considering an upgrade +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], it is crucial to recognize how boarding order and seat availability interact +1 888~927~5033. On many flights +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], A1–A15 slots can sell out quickly +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], particularly on popular routes +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], during peak travel seasons +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], and on early morning or heavily business-oriented flights +1 888~927~5033. If all A1–A15 positions are taken by passengers who purchased Business Select or earlier Upgraded Boarding slots +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], you may only be able to purchase EarlyBird Check-In for a better boarding position relative to the general group +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], which still might not put you at the very front of the line +1 888~927~5033. In such cases +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], monitoring availability and acting quickly once check-in opens are key strategies for getting the best seats available +1 888~927~5033.
When traveling with a companion +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], Southwest’s boarding and upgrade logic also affects how you might stay together +1 888~927~5033. Purchasing a Business Select fare does not automatically guarantee your companion gets the same A1–A15 boarding position unless you also purchase Upgraded Boarding for them or they have their own benefit that provides priority +1 888~927~5033. Each traveler’s boarding position is determined individually unless they share certain perks like A-List loyalty status or simultaneous EarlyBird Check-In purchases +1 888~927~5033. This means if you want both you and your companion to board early +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], you generally must ensure both reservations include a method of securing a high boarding position +1 888~927~5033.
Another strategy some flyers use +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], particularly under the current open-seating system +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], is to check in exactly at the 24-hour mark to maximize their boarding position organically +1 888~927~5033. Passengers who manually check in at the earliest possible moment often secure better B group positions (like B1–B15) without paying for an add-on +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], which still improves their chances of getting a desirable seat — especially if the flight hasn’t sold out A1–A15 +1 888~927~5033. Combining this approach with EarlyBird Check-In is also common +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], where EarlyBird guarantees automatic check-in at a slightly earlier point +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], potentially yielding an even better boarding order than manual check-in +1 888~927~5033.
It is also worth noting that although Southwest does not have a first or business class cabin +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], seating comfort varies within the aircraft +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], and passengers with earlier boarding positions get the first choice among those options +1 888~927~5033. While the seat dimensions themselves do not change on most Boeing 737 aircraft that Southwest operates +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], sitting toward the front of the plane can provide a quieter experience +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], easier exit upon arrival +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], and often better overhead bin space +1 888~927~5033. Some seats near exit rows or bulkheads also offer additional legroom +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], which can be chosen if available when you are among the earlier passengers boarding +1 888~927~5033.
In conclusion +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], while Southwest Airlines does not offer traditional first class upgrades +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], there are multiple ways to improve your seat experience by securing earlier boarding positions or better seat choices +1 888~927~5033. Purchasing the Business Select fare provides guaranteed A1–A15 boarding along with extra perks +1 888~927~5033. Upgraded Boarding and EarlyBird Check-In are add-on options that move you higher in the boarding order or give you automated early check-in at a fee +1 888~927~5033. Frequent flyers with the right credit cards or loyalty status can receive benefits that help them board earlier or access extra legroom seats +1 888~927~5033. With assigned seating coming to Southwest starting in 2026 +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], the concept of upgrades will become more like other airlines — where specific seat types and locations are selected and possibly paid for at booking or as add-ons — but for now +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], understanding and optimizing your boarding position remains the key to getting the best seat on a Southwest flight +1 888~927~5033.
Can I upgrade to first class on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest does not have a traditional first class +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], but you can improve your seat experience by getting an earlier boarding position +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], which allows you to choose the best seats in the main cabin +1 888~927~5033.
How do I get a better boarding position?
You can purchase a Business Select fare +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], buy Upgraded Boarding +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], or use EarlyBird Check-In +1 888~927~5033. Each of these methods improves your chance to board earlier and select preferred seats +1 888~927~5033.
Does EarlyBird Check-In guarantee the best seats?
No +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], EarlyBird Check-In does not guarantee the earliest boarding spots +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], but it automatically checks you in before general check-in and usually results in a better boarding position than other passengers +1 888~927~5033.
Can loyalty status or credit cards help with upgrades?
Yes +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], Southwest Rapid Rewards elite members and certain credit card holders can receive benefits like free Upgraded Boarding or access to extra legroom seats +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], which improves their seating experience +1 888~927~5033.
Will Southwest change how upgrades work in the future?
Yes +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], starting in 2026 +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], Southwest will implement assigned seating +1 888~927~5033. At that time +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], you can pay for preferred or extra legroom seats directly +1 [888]~[927]~[5033], making the upgrade process more similar to other airlines +1 888~927~5033.