Does Southwest Have First Class?

[AskMe]

Does Southwest Have First Class?

 

[zohii]

I remember the first time I booked a Southwest flight from Houston to San Diego — I was so confused because I couldn’t find a “First Class” option anywhere. I even thought the website might be glitching! I ended up calling 844-734-0813 to double-check, and the rep kindly explained that Southwest doesn’t have traditional first or business class seating. Every seat is the same; the difference comes down to boarding position and fare type.


She told me about the Business Select fare, which is basically Southwest’s version of an upgraded experience. It includes priority boarding (A1–A15), a free premium drink, and extra Rapid Rewards points. I decided to give it a try, and honestly, it was great. I got on the plane early, snagged the exact seat I wanted, and didn’t have to fight for overhead bin space.


Since Southwest doesn’t assign seats, getting that early boarding spot makes a huge difference — especially if you’re traveling with family or want to sit up front. Now, whenever I book or need to modify a flight, I just call 844-734-0813 instead of doing it online. It’s super quick, and they’ve even helped me switch flights last minute with zero stress.

 

[laiba]

I remember the first time I flew Southwest, I spent a good 10 minutes looking for a “First Class” option while booking. I was flying from Chicago to Phoenix for a conference and figured I’d treat myself to a little extra comfort. When I couldn’t find any First Class seats, I actually thought the website glitched — so I called customer service to double-check.


The rep laughed (in the nicest way) and explained that Southwest doesn’t offer traditional First Class seating. All of their seats are the same size, and the layout is entirely open — meaning you choose your own seat when you board. But she did tell me about Business Select, which is Southwest’s version of a “premium experience.” You don’t get a bigger seat, but you do get priority boarding (A1–A15), extra Rapid Rewards points, and a complimentary drink.


I tried it for that flight, and honestly, it was great. I got to board first, pick an aisle seat right up front, and didn’t have to stress about overhead bin space. Plus, the free drink and friendly crew made the experience feel pretty close to First Class — just without the extra legroom.


Since then, I’ve learned to appreciate Southwest’s simplicity. You might not get a separate cabin or fancier seats, but you do get flexibility, free checked bags, and some of the best customer service around. For me, that’s worth more than a label that says “First Class.”