Southwest Airlines has officially set a date for the long-anticipated shift from its decades-old open seating policy to assigned seating. Passengers can expect to start booking assigned seats on July 29, with the new policy rolling out on January 27. This significant change aims to enhance the flying experience with a new 8-group boarding process, allowing travelers to choose their seats ahead of time. The airline has confirmed that this change is part of a broader strategic overhaul to strengthen its market position and improve ancillary revenue. As the rollout approaches, Southwest Airlines promises to provide more details on how this new seating and boarding system will work.