How Taylor Swift kept the middle seat empty when she flew Southwest

Taylor Swift, soon to be Taylor Kelce, may be one of the biggest stars in the world today, but her early travel experiences were far from glamorous. Long before private jets and VIP treatment, she spent plenty of time flying Southwest Airlines while balancing a hectic touring schedule and schoolwork.

Back in May 2022, Swift was awarded an honorary degree from New York University and gave the commencement address at Yankee Stadium. My nephew was part of the graduating class, so I read through the transcript of her speech. One part stood out for its humor and honesty about what life was really like in her early years.

In her words:

“I never got to have a normal college experience per se. I went to public high school until 10th grade and then finished my education doing homeschool work on the floors of airport terminals. Then I went out on the road for a radio tour, which sounds incredibly glamorous, but in reality, it consisted of a rental car, motels and my mom and I pretending to have loud mother/daughter fights with each other during boarding so no one would want the empty seat between us on Southwest.”

It’s a clever way to claim some extra space, and it worked because of Southwest’s unique boarding system. Unlike most airlines, Southwest has long allowed passengers to pick their seats as they board, which is why tricks like Swift’s were possible.

That system won’t be around much longer, though. Starting in January 2026, Southwest will move away from its long-time open seating policy and begin assigning seats, bringing it in line with most other U.S. airlines. Until then, here are some tips that still work for making the most of your flight:

Check in exactly 24 hours before departure

Your boarding position is determined by when you check in. Set an alarm for the 24-hour mark so you don’t miss your best shot at a good seat. Southwest also sells Business Select fares that guarantee a boarding spot in the A1–A15 group.

Don’t be late to the gate

Even with a strong boarding number, arriving late means losing your place in line.

Spread out if you can

If you’re flying with someone and the plane isn’t full, take the aisle and window seats in the same row, leaving the middle open. Since Southwest’s fleet is entirely made up of Boeing 737s, the seating layout is always three on each side.

Taylor’s tactic—or another prop

Swift’s pretend argument with her mom was one way to keep people away from the middle seat. Others have tried leaving tissues or similar items there, though that can sometimes backfire in today’s health-conscious environment.

Swift may no longer need to worry about middle seats, but for regular passengers flying Southwest through the end of 2025, her playful trick is a reminder that sometimes creativity pays off at 35,000 feet.