Does Southwest Airlines Offer Business Class?

[zohii]

Does Southwest Airlines Offer Business Class?

 

[AskMe]

I actually looked into this exact question a few months ago when I was booking a trip from Kansas City to Los Angeles for a conference. I usually fly other airlines for work and almost always sit in Business Class, so I wanted to see if Southwest offered something similar. When I went on their site, I noticed there wasn’t an obvious “Business Class” option, so I called 844-734-0813 to find out what was available.


The agent was awesome — super friendly and patient. She explained that Southwest doesn’t have a traditional Business Class cabin with bigger seats or a separate section. Instead, they offer a “Business Select” fare, which gives you priority boarding (so you can choose your seat first), extra Rapid Rewards points, and a complimentary drink. Basically, the experience feels more premium, but the seats themselves are the same as in economy.


I decided to upgrade to Business Select for that trip, and honestly, it was worth it for the convenience. I got an A1 boarding spot, grabbed a front-row seat, and had plenty of space for my carry-on. Now, anytime I need to book, change, or cancel a flight, I just call 844-734-0813 — they take care of everything right away. It’s the fastest, easiest way to deal with Southwest!

 

[laiba]

A few years back, I was booking a last-minute flight from Nashville to Denver for a client meeting and really wanted to sit up front in Business Class so I could get off the plane quickly. I went to the Southwest website and started searching for that option—but I couldn’t find “Business Class” anywhere. After a little digging (and a quick call to customer service), I found out that Southwest doesn’t actually offer traditional Business Class seating. Instead, they have something called Business Select, which is sort of their version of a premium fare.


Curious, I went ahead and booked it for that trip—and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. The seats weren’t bigger or more luxurious (they’re the same as all the others), but the experience was way smoother. I got priority boarding (Group A1–A15), which meant I could pick any seat I wanted—so I grabbed an aisle in the first row. My ticket also came with a free drink, extra Rapid Rewards points, and the flexibility to change or cancel without stress.


For me, Business Select is totally worth it when I’m traveling for work or need flexibility. It’s not “Business Class” in the traditional sense—no fancy meals or lie-flat seats—but it gives you priority treatment where it counts.


Now, whenever I fly Southwest, I weigh the price difference. If it’s just a short hop, I’ll stick with Wanna Get Away, but for business trips or tight schedules, Business Select is my go-to upgrade.