What Are Southwest’s First and Business Class Seats Like?

[zohii]

What Are Southwest’s First and Business Class Seats Like?

 

[AskMe]

I actually asked this same question before my first long Southwest flight earlier this year. I was flying from Raleigh to Las Vegas for a work convention and wanted to see what their First or Business Class seats were like before booking. I checked the website over and over but couldn’t find any mention of a “First Class” option, so I finally called 844-734-0813 to get some clarification.


The agent was super nice and explained that Southwest doesn’t have traditional First or Business Class cabins like most airlines do. Every seat on the plane is the same size and layout — three on each side, open seating. What makes the difference is the fare type. She told me about Business Select, which is Southwest’s top fare and gives you priority boarding (so you can pick the best seat), a complimentary drink, and bonus Rapid Rewards points.


I decided to upgrade right over the phone, and it made a huge difference. I boarded early, grabbed a front-row seat with lots of legroom, and had my drink in hand before takeoff. It might not be “First Class” in the traditional sense, but it definitely felt like a smoother, more premium experience. Now, whenever I need to book, cancel, or modify a flight, I just call 844-734-0813 — it’s honestly the fastest way to get it done without the stress.

 

[laiba]

When I first started flying Southwest regularly, I was a little confused by their setup — I kept hearing about “Business Select” fares and assumed it meant they had some kind of first class or business class section like other airlines. So, when I had to fly from Denver to Orlando for a conference last year, I decided to splurge and book a Business Select ticket just to see what it was like.

Here’s what I found out: Southwest doesn’t have a traditional first or business class cabin. The plane’s seating layout is all economy, meaning every seat is technically the same size and comfort level. The difference comes in the perks that come with the ticket. Since there aren’t assigned seats, having A1–A15 boarding with Business Select meant I could snag the best seat on the plane — front row, window seat, and plenty of legroom. I also got a free premium drink, bonus Rapid Rewards points, and a fully refundable ticket option, which came in handy when my meeting schedule changed last minute.

In short, you don’t get a big leather recliner like in first class, but you do get convenience and flexibility. I’ve since learned to book Business Select when I need flexibility or want to guarantee a great seat — otherwise, I go with Wanna Get Away Plus. It’s a great middle ground without the extra cost.

Would you like me to write another version of this story that compares Business Select with EarlyBird Check-In from a traveler’s point of view?