Boarding with Southwest?

bluesecrets · April 2012

I've never flown Southwest, but I'm using them for a conference next week. Are there any tips to ensure I get a decent seat? I'm thinking I'll just check a bag instead of dealing with a carry on since they do have no baggage fees.

Jells2dot0 · April 2012

Check in exactly 24 hours prior. I mean, EXACTLY. You can also purchase early bird seating.

MCsAngel2 · April 2012

They don't have assigned seating, just seating groups according to when you check in. So check in (you can do it online) as soon as the 24 hour window before your flight opens up. You should get into group A if you can do that.

bluesecrets · April 2012

That's what I figured, just hoped not. My flight leaves at 7am the day after I have off

Also, if I have a layover with a plane change and one without - will my boarding be the same as the initial for the plane change one?

Jells2dot0 · April 2012

Yes- if you check in for a flight that has a layover, your number is the same for both legs. Southwest does not make you deplane if you have a layover on the same plane, so you can even swtich to a better seat sometimes while they are waiting to board the next group.

sunshine_day_dreams · April 2012

If you don't want to wake up early to check-in at 24 hours before, you can pay for early bird check-in. It's $10 each way and pretty much guarantees you'll be in the A boarding group.

When you have a plane change, you will have two different boarding assignments. When you don't change planes, you won't have to get off the plane. They'll let everyone off who is staying there and then let you change seats before the other new passengers board.

sunshine_day_dreams · April 2012

Jells2dot0:
Yes- if you check in for a flight that has a layover, your number is the same for both legs. Southwest does not make you deplane if you have a layover on the same plane, so you can even swtich to a better seat sometimes while they are waiting to board the next group.

This must not always be true. I've had at least twice that I've had a layover and my assignment isn't the same for both legs. I'm assuming this has to do with others who have purchased Early Bird, etc. that they can't possibly always assign the same boarding when there are layovers and different passengers on each leg.

balbacm · April 2012

i'd just pay the extra $10 for early bird check in both coming and going especially if you are expensing the flight through work. that way you don't have to deal with "worrying" about checking in.

I am religious about checking in at exactly 24 hours prior, but I sometimes get the B group, especially flying to Vegas. Still get a decent seat though. More and more people are buying the early bird.

cindyhow · April 2012

Early Bird Seating does not always mean A group, sometimes ended up with B. My boss gets EB seating a lot and it varies. If you fly SW a lot get a FF # and that helps with A seating.

Jells2dot0 · April 2012

I've flown Southwest quite a bit, but maybe only once or twice had a layover that involved a plane change. I guess maybe I got lucky! I try to avoid layovers at all costs when flying Southwest, especially when flying through Vegas or Midway. So, that must just be my personal experience.

Temp536318000001135 · April 2012

I have boarded midway through the B group before on SW and gotten a good seat (on the aisle like I like and not too far back). But if you don't want to wake up 24 hours beforehand to check in, do Early Bird like others have suggested. I did it once and got the first half of the A group.

m+j · April 2012

I also like the fact that lots of southwest flights end up with open seats. I'm on a cross country southwest flight right now sitting in a row by myself! Maybe you'll get lucky.

RunningGal900 · April 2012

Whenever I've flown with a connection, my boarding numbers have been different. My second flight has always been a better boarding position than the first. I think it's bc while you are checking in 24 hours in advance of your first flight, they are checking you in 24 hours plus a few for your second. Of course, it could be worse if a ton of people do early bird checkin for the second flight. I just did Early Bird for a flight and was A55 for A is definitely not a guarantee. If more poeple buy Early Bird than are in A group (and A1-15 is reserved for Business Select) you're not getting A group. As long as you're not C group through you will be able to get a window or aisle seat. One of my SW flight attendants once said "C stands for Center".

Boarding with Southwest?

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