Honestly, booking a trip to Central Florida used to be predictable. You’d grab your bags, hope for an early boarding position, and settle into whatever seat was open. But if you’re looking at Southwest Airlines flights to Orlando right now, things look fundamentally different than they did even a year ago.
The airline is currently undergoing the biggest identity shift in its 50-plus year history. We aren't just talking about new snacks or a different paint job. We are talking about assigned seats, a brand-new fare structure, and—believe it or not—the end of the "bags fly free" era for the cheapest tickets.
The Massive 2026 Seating Overhaul
Starting January 27, 2026, the famous "open seating" cattle call is officially dead. If you’ve spent years perfecting the art of the T-minus-24-hour check-in just to avoid a middle seat, you can finally breathe. Every single one of the Southwest Airlines flights to Orlando now uses assigned seating.
This is huge.
Southwest split their cabin into three distinct zones. You’ve got Extra Legroom (the first five rows and exit rows) which gives you about five extra inches of space. Then there’s Preferred seating near the front, and finally Standard economy. If you’re flying into MCO for a Disney marathon, paying for that extra legroom might actually be a lifesaver for your knees.
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Fare Classes Explained (The New Math)
Don't get caught off guard at the ticket counter. The old "Wanna Get Away" labels are mostly gone, replaced by a tiered system that feels a bit more like the "legacy" carriers.
- Choice Extra: This replaced Business Select. You get two free checked bags and the best seat options.
- Choice Preferred: Formerly Anytime. Still includes two bags and flexible changes.
- Choice: This is the middle ground, often similar to the old Wanna Get Away Plus.
- Basic: This is the new "unbundled" fare. Crucial note: If you book a Basic fare on Southwest Airlines flights to Orlando, you no longer get free checked bags. You'll be paying for that first suitcase.
For a lot of families, this is a shock. Southwest's "Bags Fly Free" was a religion. Now, you really have to do the math to see if that $79 "Basic" fare is actually cheaper once you add $35 for a suitcase.
Popular Routes and What They Cost Right Now
Orlando (MCO) is one of Southwest's biggest fortresses. They are currently flying nonstop from over 60 cities. If you’re coming from Atlanta, you can often find one-way tickets as low as $59 if you book about six weeks out.
I’ve seen some interesting price shifts for the 2026 season. BWI (Baltimore) to MCO is a heavy-hitter route, often hovering around $99 for a one-way mid-week. If you're coming from further out, like Denver or Phoenix, prices jump closer to $180-$220.
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A pro tip? Look at the Southwest Low Fare Calendar. It's still the best tool they have. Tuesday and Wednesday remain the "sweet spot" for deals. I checked a random Tuesday in February 2026, and the price difference compared to a Friday was nearly $100 per person. For a family of four, that's a whole day's worth of theme park tickets just in airfare savings.
Navigating Orlando International (MCO)
Southwest still dominates Terminal A, specifically operating out of Airside 2.
When you land, you’ll take the automated people mover (the shuttle train) to the main terminal. It’s a quick ride, maybe two minutes. But here's the kicker: MCO is notoriously slow with baggage. Even with Southwest's generally efficient ground crews, the "Orlando wait" is real. I’ve stood at Carousel 8 for 45 minutes more than once while waiting for a stroller.
If you’re departing, MCO recommends arriving 3 hours early for a reason. Security lines at the West Checkpoint (which serves Terminal A) can back up into the hotel lobby during spring break or holiday weekends. If you don't have TSA PreCheck, you're going to have a bad time.
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Why the Change Matters
Why did Southwest blow up its own business model? Pressure from activist investors (specifically Elliott Investment Management) pushed the airline to find more revenue. They realized people were willing to pay for seat assignments and that the "free bags for everyone" policy was leaving money on the table.
It’s a bit sad for the purists, but the reality is that the planes are newer. Many of the Boeing 737-8 aircraft on the Orlando routes now have in-seat power (USB-A and USB-C). Plus, the WiFi—which used to be hit or miss—is now free for all Rapid Rewards members thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Flight
If you're planning to book Southwest Airlines flights to Orlando in 2026, don't just click the lowest price.
- Check your bags mentally before you buy. If you need two suitcases, the "Choice" or "Choice Extra" fares almost always end up being cheaper than a "Basic" fare plus bag fees.
- Join Rapid Rewards immediately. Even if you don't fly often, the free WiFi alone is worth the two minutes it takes to sign up.
- Use the "Re-book" trick. Southwest still allows you to change your flight without a fee (you just pay the fare difference). If the price of your flight to Orlando drops after you buy it, you can "change" to the same flight and get the difference back as a flight credit.
- Target the 2026 Expansion. Southwest just added new nonstop service from Orlando to St. Thomas (STT) and boosted frequencies from Austin and Nashville. These "expansion" routes often have lower introductory pricing to fill seats.
The "New Southwest" takes a little more planning, but it’s still one of the most reliable ways to get to the theme park capital of the world without feeling like you're being nickel-and-dimed for every single glass of water. Just watch those bag fees on the Basic fares—that's where they get you now.