New WILMA boarding system starts with window seats
By Jordan Grim
Southwest Airlines is preparing for one of its biggest updates in decades. The Texas-based airline, known for its open seating model for over 50 years, will begin assigned seating starting January 27, 2025. Alongside this, a new and more structured boarding process will roll out nationwide.
The overhaul, called Project USA, has been quietly tested in Houston and Cancun, Mexico, for several months. It marks a major shift in how travelers experience boarding with Southwest Airlines changes taking shape across the system.
Under the updated WILMA system, passengers with window seats will board first, followed by middle seat passengers, and finally those with aisle seats. Boarding will begin from the back of the aircraft moving forward, according to The Wall Street Journal.
This marks a significant change for passengers used to the old open seating approach. Southwest Airlines changes are designed to streamline the boarding process and reduce delays, all while maintaining fairness and order.
The airline is removing its long-standing numbered stanchions that divided passengers into nine separate boarding groups. Instead, gates will now feature just two main lines — one for the group currently boarding and one for the next group in line.
Frequent flyers, credit card holders with boarding benefits, and those purchasing extra legroom will automatically be assigned early boarding positions. Southwest Airlines changes also introduce a new “priority boarding” option available for last-minute purchase, with prices varying by flight.
According to the airline’s official website, travelers with premium tickets and frequent flyer status will get priority boarding and access to more desirable seat options.
Passengers in basic economy fares will board last, maintaining the tiered boarding experience introduced by the WILMA system.
Southwest is launching redesigned boarding passes that will now include seat numbers and indicate whether the seat is a window, middle, or aisle. This change aims to improve clarity and reduce confusion during boarding.
The airline’s overhaul doesn’t stop with boarding. Earlier this week, Southwest Airlines unveiled its first Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft featuring a fully refreshed interior. The upgrade includes:
These updates highlight the company’s broader goal to modernize its fleet and elevate customer experience, showing that Southwest Airlines changes are about more than just how you board — they’re about how you fly.