Southwest seating

[fwm]

How does Southwest board passengers on the plane? Is it based on arrival time at the airport? Is it generally easy for two people to find seats together?

[Jimmac]

They give you a large plastic ticket with a number on it in the order that you check in at the gate. They then board by the numbers with those with small children or handicaps first. Then usually numbers in groups of thirty. They have roped off sections for 1-30, 31-60, etc. so you can line up in your sub group. Hope that's clear;)

[Rpsemont]

We've gotten numbers in the the 40's both times and these's been no problem getting seats together. (there are three of us) If it's really important to sit together, get to the airport early and stand at the gate counter whether it's open or not. If you get a number 1-30, you're fine. If you get a number in the next group, I would then move over to the gate and be first in line for the 30-60 boarding. If you're in the 60-90 same thing. And if you're in the over 90 be pleasantly surprised if you get to sit together.

[Gary M]

They start handing out the plastic boarding passes an hour before departure time. Some people line up well before time to give out passes.