I used to wonder the same thing — does Southwest Airlines have Business Class seating? I fly pretty often for work, and when I first started booking with Southwest, I couldn’t find any clear “Business Class” option like other airlines have. So on one of my early trips from Phoenix to Chicago, I called their customer service to ask about it before booking.
The rep explained that Southwest doesn’t have a traditional Business Class cabin with larger seats or separate service. All of their planes have the same seat layout — 3 seats on each side, all economy-style. What they do have, though, is a fare type called Business Select, which offers many of the perks you’d typically associate with Business Class. That includes priority boarding (A1–A15), a complimentary premium drink, and extra Rapid Rewards points.
I decided to try it for that trip, and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. Since Southwest has open seating, boarding early meant I got the exact seat I wanted — front row, aisle. The flight attendants were friendly, the service was quick, and the overall vibe was super relaxed. It may not be “Business Class” in the traditional sense, but it’s definitely a premium experience if you value flexibility and comfort.
Now, whenever I’m traveling for business and need a little extra convenience, I go for Business Select. It’s simple, efficient, and gets me exactly what I need without the hefty price tag of a standard Business Class seat.
