Southwest Airlines Trip Report: LAS-LGB | Boeing 737 MAX 8 | Economy | January 2026

This trip report is a look at Southwest Airlines Flight 4299 from Las Vegas to Long Beach on January 27, 2026. This was a significant day for the airline as it marked the official move from open seating to assigned seats. This report shows how the new boarding process and seat assignments work in practice. Flight Details: Airline: Southwest Airlines (WN4299) Route: Las Vegas (LAS) to Long Beach (LGB) Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8 (N8948Q - Heart livery) Seat: 24C (Aisle) Date: January 27, 2026 Observation: The flight was nearly full, which provided a clear view of how the airline handles a crowded cabin under the new seating rules. This video captures the gate organization and the process of finding overhead bin space for the later boarding groups. It also includes the cabin announcements and the overall atmosphere on board this newer aircraft. This report is for travelers interested in how Southwest's new seating model affects the flight experience and for those looking at the layout of the Boeing 737 MAX 8. Other Southwest Airlines Trip Reports between Las Vegas and Long Beach The last with open seating Long Beach to Vegas:    • Southwest Airlines Trip Report: LGB-LAS | ...   Las Vegas to Long Beach November 2025:    • Southwest Airlines Trip Report: LAS-LGB | ...   Las Vegas to Long Beach September 2025:    • Southwest Airlines Trip Report: LAS-LGB | ...   Las Vegas to Long Beach March 2024:    • Southwest Airlines Trip Report: LAS-LGB | ...   Las Vegas to Long Beach October 2018:    • Southwest Airlines Trip Report: LAS-LGB | ...   Channel Support ✈️ Flight Crew – $1.99 Loyalty badges & emojis Members-only live chats Priority replies to comments Occasional behind-the-scenes photo or video ✈️ Captain's Club – $2.99 All Level 1 perks Early access to select uploads Member shout-outs in videos Use the Join button next to Subscribe to support the channel.