Does Southwest Airlines Have First Class Tickets?

[AskMe]

Does Southwest Airlines Have First Class Tickets?

 

[zohii]

I used to assume every major airline offered first class seats, so the first time I flew with Southwest, I was surprised not to see that option when booking. I actually called 844-734-0813 because I thought maybe I was missing something or the website wasn’t showing all the fare options. The rep explained that Southwest doesn’t have traditional first class or even assigned seating — all seats are the same. What they do offer, though, is a fare type called Business Select, which gives you priority boarding (A1–A15), bonus Rapid Rewards points, and a free premium drink coupon.


I tried Business Select on a trip from Chicago to Denver last year, and it honestly felt like the “Southwest version” of first class. I got to board early, pick a window seat up front, and had plenty of overhead bin space — a luxury on most flights! Plus, since I earned more points on that fare, it helped me get closer to a Companion Pass.


Now, whenever I need to make changes or upgrade my fare, I just call 844-734-0813 instead of dealing with the website. They’re super fast and can instantly modify, cancel, or rebook flights without any hassle. Definitely worth it if you travel often!

 

[laiba]

When I first started flying with Southwest, I remember searching all over their website trying to find First Class tickets. I was heading from Nashville to San Diego for a work trip and figured I’d splurge a little for extra comfort. But after a few minutes of clicking around, I realized — Southwest doesn’t actually offer traditional First Class seating. Curious (and a little confused), I called their customer service line to confirm, and the rep explained it perfectly.


Southwest keeps things simple. Their planes all have the same seat layout, so there’s no separate First or Business Class cabin. However, their Business Select fare is the closest thing you’ll get to a First Class experience. With it, you get priority boarding (A1–A15), a free premium drink, and bonus Rapid Rewards points. The big difference is that seating is still open — so the earlier you board, the better your pick of seats.


I decided to try Business Select for that trip, and honestly, I wasn’t disappointed. I boarded first, grabbed a front-row aisle seat, and had plenty of space for my carry-on. The flight attendants were amazing, and I liked that the vibe was casual but still felt premium.


So no, Southwest doesn’t sell traditional First Class tickets, but their Business Select option gives you most of the perks you’d want — minus the huge price tag. It’s a great balance of comfort, flexibility, and value, which is why I keep flying with them.