If you are heading to the airport this week, the experience might feel drastically different than it did just a month ago. Travelers across the United States are currently navigating a perfect storm of aviation changes as three major regulatory and policy shifts collide in late January 2026. From the final days of Southwest Airlines' historic open-seating model to a controversial new $45 TSA verification fee for travelers without Real ID, the landscape of American air travel is shifting beneath our feet.

The New $45 TSA ConfirmID Fee: What You Need to Know

Starting February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is implementing a strict new protocol for passengers who still lack Real ID-compliant identification. While the official full enforcement deadline technically passed in May 2025, the TSA has introduced a new stopgap measure that hits travelers in their wallets: the TSA ConfirmID program.

Under this new rule, if you arrive at a checkpoint without a Real ID, passport, or other acceptable federal identification, you will no longer simply face additional screening delays. You will now be required to pay a non-refundable $45 verification fee on the spot to utilize the biometric TSA ConfirmID service. This fee covers the cost of the advanced identity verification process required to clear non-compliant passengers.

How to Avoid the Fee

To avoid this new charge, ensure you are traveling with one of the following:

  • A Real ID-compliant driver's license (look for the star in the top corner)
  • A valid U.S. passport or passport card
  • A Global Entry or NEXUS card
  • A U.S. Department of Defense ID

With the February 1 deadline just days away, industry experts predict longer lines at airport service counters as confused travelers attempt to sort out their credentials before hitting the security queues.

Southwest Airlines: The End of an Era on January 27

Perhaps the most emotional change for frequent flyers is the official end of Southwest Airlines' 55-year tradition of open seating. January 27, 2026, marks the hard cutover date where the carrier transitions to a fully assigned seating model.

For flights departing on or after next Tuesday, the familiar cattle-call boarding process—where passengers lined up by A, B, or C groups and scrambled for the best available seat—will be history. Instead, Southwest is introducing a new eight-group boarding structure. Passengers will now see specific seat assignments on their boarding passes, selected at the time of booking.

What Changes Next Week?

Travelers flying Southwest after January 27 will notice:

  • Assigned Seats: You must sit in the seat number printed on your ticket.
  • Premium Cabins: The front of the plane now features "Choice Extra" seats with extended legroom, which come at a premium price.
  • New Boarding Groups: The A/B/C stanchions are being replaced by Groups 1 through 8, prioritizing premium fares and elite status holders.

If you have a flight booked for late January, double-check your itinerary. Flights departing before the cutoff will operate under the old rules, while return legs after the 27th will require a selected seat.

Overhead Bin Ban: New Lithium Battery Rules

Caught in the mix of these operational changes is a critical safety update regarding lithium-ion power banks. Following new guidance from international aviation safety regulators, major airlines have begun strictly enforcing a ban on storing portable chargers in overhead bins as of mid-January 2026.

While spare lithium batteries have long been banned from checked luggage, the new 2026 regulation specifically targets the cabin storage of these devices. Power banks must now be kept on your person or in a bag stowed under the seat in front of you. The rationale is simple: if a battery enters "thermal runaway" and catches fire, flight attendants can spot and extinguish it immediately if it is at floor level. A fire inside a closed overhead bin can go undetected until it becomes catastrophic.

Flight crews are reportedly making specific announcements during boarding to enforce this. Passengers caught stowing smart bags or loose power banks in the overhead compartments may be asked to remove them before takeoff.

Navigating the Changes

These simultaneous shifts represent one of the most significant weeks in recent aviation history. If you are flying in late January or early February 2026, the advice is clear: check your ID, confirm your seat assignment (especially on Southwest), and keep your portable charger in your pocket. The days of open seating and lenient ID checks are officially behind us.