Navigating Changes at Southwest Airlines

Over the past year Southwest Airlines has implemented several significant operational changes that have been widely communicated and discussed. During these various changes, the Central Travel Office partnered with Southwest to offer multiple informational sessions designed to explain these changes and their potential impact on our UC travelers.

By the end of January 2026, the first flights featuring assigned seating and a new boarding process will be fully implemented. As the final rollout approaches, we will host two sessions in January during the week prior to launch:

• Thursday, January 22 – Southwest Airlines will return for a formal session providing an overview of the changes and what they mean for travelers.
• Friday, January 23 – The Central Travel Office will hold an informal session to address any remaining questions or concerns.

We encourage you to register today and bring any questions you may have. Please note that questions related to reimbursement or policy should be directed to your campus Travel & Accounting Office.