Southwest revealed how its going to change its signature open-seating policy to let passengers pick their own seats. In July, Southwest Airlines announced that it would be ditching its signature open-seating model for a more standard assigned-seating system—leading some to wonder whether Southwest is losing its most defining brand features.

Southwest Airlines executives have unveiled their vision for turning the carrier into an airline that gives passengers assigned seats, charges them extra for more legroom and offers red-eye flights but bags still fly free.

The shift from open seating is expected to begin in the second half of next year, Southwest says. DALLAS — Southwest Airlines on Thursday unveiled the first details of its plans to begin assigning seats,