Subway announces one-day-only offer

Subway is running a one-day-only promotion for customers who have been assigned a middle seat on flights—perfectly timed to coincide with the end of Southwest Airlines’ open seating policy, which begins on January 27, 2026. 

What Is Subway’s One-Day Offer?

Subway announced, in its press release, that it will offer $20 Subway gift cards—enough to cover a free footlong—to passengers who are seated in a middle seat (often referred to as a “sandwich seat”) on a 737 aircraft on Tuesday, January 27.  

How Do Passengers Claim Their Subway Gift Card

Subway says that to redeem their $20 Subway gift card, eligible travelers will need to take a photo of themselves in their middle seat and upload it to SubwayMiddleSeat.com with proof of the seat assignment on January 27, 2026. 

The offer is open to residents of all 50 U.S. states and D.C., but they must be aged 18 or older. The promotion is valid on January 27, 2026, only, and gift cards will only be available while supplies last Subway said in its terms. The $20 gift card can be used toward footlong subs or any other Subway menu items.

Dave Skena, chief marketing officer, Subway North America, said: “Getting sandwiched in a middle seat, no matter how early you check in, is not something many travelers will love. So, on Tuesday, we’re going to turn a bad ‘sandwich’ into a great sandwich by reassigning 737 middle-seaters a $20 Subway gift card. It’s as easy as A-B-C, and the bag is free.”

Southwest Airlines Open Seat Policy Changes

Southwest Airlines is ending its open‑seating system—a defining feature of the airline since it launched in 1967—replacing its policy with assigned seats, along with new fare bundles and an overhauled boarding process.

According to Southwest Airlines, beginning January 27, all Southwest flights will use assigned seating, meaning:

• Passengers will know their exact seat before boarding.
• No more choosing seats on the aircraft based on boarding position.
• Assigned seats are now bookable for travel on or after that date.

Southwest cabins will now be divided into three seat types: Extra Legroom (highest price), offering 3–5 inches of additional space. Preferred (mid‑level price), which gives passengers standard legroom, but the seats are located nearer the front of the plane, and Standard (lowest price), which has standard legroom but the seats are near the back of the aircraft. 

Tony Roach, executive vice president Customer & Brand at Southwest Airlines, said: “Our Customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience. Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our Customers—including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats—and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin. This is an important step in our evolution, and we’re excited to pair these enhancements with our legendary Customer Service.”