Advice on flying Southwest Airlines

[tx2tn]

We have never flown Southwest before and was hoping for some advice. Are there any tricks to flying Southwest? We are a little nervous about not having assigned seating. How do you guys handle that? All suggestions are welcomed!!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

We love SWA. For us, they have nonstop flights at great times to MCO. Also, we don't worry about bag fees. Another HUGE plus is you can reschedule a flight or even rebook for a lower fare with no penalties. If you find a lower fare and rebook you will get credit on SWA to be used by the same person within 1 year of the original ticket purchase date. Seating is the only challenge. If I will be home the day before we travel I plan to check in exactly 24 hours before our flight to get the best boarding pass possible. If we will not be home or near a computer ot iPhone type device I will spend $10 per person more to get the early bird, which means that SWA will check you in just prior to the 24 hour mark and you will get one of the earliest boarding passes. There are about 60 per boarding group. If you check yourself in at 24 hours you NORMALLY get late group A or early group B. Families with young children (under 5 I think) you will usually be able to board after group A if you don't get an A boarding pass. If we will be flying out after getting off of a cruise I will usually get the early bird because I may not be able to check in at 24 hours and even a few minutes late can push you back to group C. If you are alone it may not be a big deal, but if traveling with others you want to sit with the earlier boarding the better off you will be. More questions..just ask!

 

[DonnaL]

Don't know what your personal circumstances are......i.e. small children, how many, etc. However, we absolutely love SWA simply BECAUSE they don't assign seats.......they allow us to choose where we sit as we board......which can mean several things for us.......if we are with our kids and grandson.....we usually sit near other families with children......if we are traveling as empty nesters and would prefer some "quiet, adult time" during the flight we scope out where the majority of families with kids are seated and head away from that area....so don't allow anyone to tell you SWA doesn't know what they're doing by not having assigned seating........they know EXACTly what they are doing and we love it!!!

 

[danceintherain]

The last time I flew Southwest I forgot to check in until a few hours before our flight left. My husband and I were still able to find seats together.

It is best to check-in as soon as they'll let you, especially if you're traveling with a large group. Then, you have to make sure to get to the airport in time to board with your group.

In general, it seems that not many solitary travelers fly Southwest, so I've always found completely empty rows, even if I board pretty late. Basically, when families travel together they don't hoard aisle seats, because they want to sit together.

 

[kwdw]

On a Disney trip - I pay the $10 for early-bird check-in - because the LAST thing I want to do is remember to log in 24 hours in advance on the way home to get my boarding pass. If this is not a problem for you - then skip this.

Now - if you have small children (toddlers/infants/stroller age) - you can do the family boarding between boarding groups A and B - then I probably wouldn't bother with the extra fee for auto-check-in.

The whole no luggage fee is well worth the risk of getting a late boarding number and a bad seat for me. But then - my flight is only a couple hours.

The thing that works surprisingly well on Southwest is that folks seem to get it - couples typically sit together (with one in a middle seat), families together, etc - so seat selection tends to make sense unless you are a really, really late boarder.

 

[bumbershoot]

However, we absolutely love SWA simply BECAUSE they don't assign seats.......they allow us to choose where we sit as we board......

YES.

Honestly, before I started using SW (I don't use them exclusively anymore, but for some time I was), I had my careful chosen seats changed anyway, so I wasn't actually choosing a seat, and my assignment wasn't where I wanted to be! So I let go of the concept of having an assigned seat before starting to use SW.

Check in right on time to get the early boarding positions, and the process of boarding now is a lot more civilized than it was before (but even that wasn't bad to me). In fact, when I fly airlines with assigned seating, people are crowding the boarding area anyway (why, I haven't a clue), which SW passengers are actively advised *against* (I've heard them tell us over the PA system to *sit down* and they'll tell us when certain groups should go stand in line), so SW is actually *better* in that way, in my experience.

If your'e nervous, spend the extra money for early bird...once you're on the plane you truly choose the seat you want from what's available.

 

[Thumper_Man]

DW and I love SWA. It's the only airline that offers direct flights from our airport. Here are a few of our tips.

Check-in exactly at the 24 hour mark if you didn't purchase Early Bird check-in. If you did purchase EB, SW will check you in 36 hours prior to your flight. We usually purchase the EB for when we come back. Like another poster mentioned, don't want to have to worry about checking-in at exactly the 24 hour mark.

Use curb-side service to check your luggage. Much faster than checking your luggage inside.

You get 2 checked bags, just make sure not to go over the 50lb. weight limit. They will charge you $50 to check the overweight bag.

If you have an infant that is 4 years old or younger, you can utilize family boarding.

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

DW and I love SWA. It's the only airline that offers direct flights from our airport. Here are a few of our tips.

Check-in exactly at the 24 hour mark if you didn't purchase Early Bird check-in. If you did purchase EB, SW will check you in 36 hours prior to your flight. We usually purchase the EB for when we come back. Like another poster mentioned, don't want to have to worry about checking-in at exactly the 24 hour mark.

Use curb-side service to check your luggage. Much faster than checking your luggage inside.

You get 2 checked bags, just make sure not to go over the 50lb. weight limit. They will charge you $50 to check the overweight bag.

If you have an infant that is 4 years old or younger, you can utilize family boarding.

Another thing to note about the 50 lb limit...If you are only taking one bag and you go over that limit, SW does offer you the option of purchasing one of their duffle bags for $25. I had this happen recently when I went on a work related trip, and instead of having to rearrange my bags the lady at the counter mentioned this option to me. $25 was better than having to stress about what should go and what had to stay behind. And for the price, I was able to get a pretty nice, brand new, duffle bag. I paid her at the counter and she brought back the bag still in its packaging and I was able to move the stuff I needed over to the new bag and check it in without a problem. Now i have a new bag (Granted it says Southwest Airlines on it...but no biggie in my eyes).

I do realize thats not much of an option when you have your 2 bag allotment already. But its just one more way that SW actually takes care of their customers. Most other airlines would just make you pay the fee and try to get you out of there as quickly as possible.

 

[pooch]

although I no longer use them exclusively as their times are not always the best for me, I check them first whenever I fly to Florida. AND they have, hands down, the friendliest flight attendants in the air!!!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Another hint. I find it easier to book each leg of the trip as a one way instead of RT. If you do it this way and want early bird for return flights only you can do that without having to buy early bird for both legs. Also, if one leg goes on sale it is just a bit easier to rebook just the one leg. It is much easier to rebook now than it used to be though.

 

[tx2tn]

Don't know what your personal circumstances are......i.e. small children, how many, etc. However, we absolutely love SWA simply BECAUSE they don't assign seats.......they allow us to choose where we sit as we board......which can mean several things for us.......if we are with our kids and grandson.....we usually sit near other families with children......if we are traveling as empty nesters and would prefer some "quiet, adult time" during the flight we scope out where the majority of families with kids are seated and head away from that area....so don't allow anyone to tell you SWA doesn't know what they're doing by not having assigned seating........they know EXACTly what they are doing and we love it!!!

It's just my DW and I. No kids etc. I am one of those SUPER planners that likes to have all of the T's crossed and the I's dotted. Walking onto a plane with the possibility of us not getting to sit next to each other puts me into a nervous fit.

All of the excellent inforation here has really calmed me down. Thanks everyone!

 

[pooch]

you don't check in until you get to the airport or have a very full connecting flight, there is almost ZERO chance you & your DW won't sit together. If this is what's concerning you, put it to rest. It ain't gonna happen!!!! Sometimes, especially at the end of a vacation, I HOPE DH & I can't sit together!!!!

 

[LoveToDisney]

It's just my DW and I. No kids etc. I am one of those SUPER planners that likes to have all of the T's crossed and the I's dotted. Walking onto a plane with the possibility of us not getting to sit next to each other puts me into a nervous fit.

All of the excellent inforation here has really calmed me down. Thanks everyone!

Even though it many times is just the two of us, I still use the EB check-in both ways....just takes that stress out of the picture and I don't have to worry checking in going or coming back at the 24 hour mark. I love that option!!

 

[LoveToDisney]

you don't check in until you get to the airport or have a very full connecting flight, there is almost ZERO chance you & your DW won't sit together. If this is what's concerning you, put it to rest. It ain't gonna happen!!!! Sometimes, especially at the end of a vacation, I HOPE DH & I can't sit together!!!!

I had one time (before the days of EB) that I forgot to check the two of us back in at 24 hour mark. It was during Spring Break so it was a busy time. When I finally remembered and got our boarding passes, we were "C's". Well, to make a long story short, the plane was overbooked so we had gotten the LAST TWO C's available!! We were the very last two people to walk onto the plane.....walking down the long isle, looking for a seat. Finally, the flight attendant showed us where the last two seats were....at the very back, one in front of the other, both window seats next to two sets of family of four who had taken the isle/middle seats, leaving us two window seats. I would always get EB at least for the trip home.

 

[pooch]

I had one time (before the days of EB) that I forgot to check the two of us back in at 24 hour mark. It was during Spring Break so it was a busy time. When I finally remembered and got our boarding passes, we were "C's". Well, to make a long story short, the plane was overbooked so we had gotten the LAST TWO C's available!! We were the very last two people to walk onto the plane.....walking down the long isle, looking for a seat. Finally, the flight attendant showed us where the last two seats were....at the very back, one in front of the other, both window seats next to two sets of family of four who had taken the isle/middle seats, leaving us two window seats. I would always get EB at least for the trip home.

boarding numbers, I would expect you sat separately hence my advice not to wait "til you get to the airport". OP indicates he's an uber-planner so my guess is he won't forget the 24 hr mark. But I do agree with getting EBCI for the return trip segment. I like not having to stop "playing" to check in!!!

 

[LoveToDisney]

boarding numbers, I would expect you sat separately hence my advice not to wait "til you get to the airport". OP indicates he's an uber-planner so my guess is he won't forget the 24 hr mark. But I do agree with getting EBCI for the return trip segment. I like not having to stop "playing" to check in!!!

I didn't wait until we got to the airport...but I did do it a few hours AFTER the 24 hour mark when I remembered. Those that waited until the airport did not get on that plane. By the way, I am an uber-planner but being AT Disney changes everything (you get immersed in another world). I'll always buy the EB for the return flight from Disney so I don't have to worry about checking in 24 hours before an afternoon flight.

 

[pooch]

I didn't wait until we got to the airport...but I did do it a few hours AFTER the 24 hour mark when I remembered. Those that waited until the airport did not get on that plane. By the way, I am an uber-planner but being AT Disney changes everything (you get immersed in another world). I'll always buy the EB for the return flight from Disney so I don't have to worry about checking in 24 hours before an afternoon flight.

and I too get EBCI on the way home. Although I miss that cute little room at Epcot Guest Services - like a private little lounge!!

 

[rrbar]

Does Southwest show any movies of any kind? Do they have music to listen to? I just need to figure out how to keep the kids busy for the 6 hours we will be on the plane. We stop and let some people off but don't change planes so it will be a long plane ride. Also, we need to plan on some food to bring to eat!

 

[pooch]

Does Southwest show any movies of any kind? Do they have music to listen to? I just need to figure out how to keep the kids busy for the 6 hours we will be on the plane. We stop and let some people off but don't change planes so it will be a long plane ride. Also, we need to plan on some food to bring to eat!

this is no frills flying. I'd suggest portable DVD players (with headphones PLEASE!!) and ipods.

 

[jelo]

I too am an uber-planner, our next trip is booked for March 2012 and I booked it in Feb./2011!
We just had a great Disney vacation last May and flew with SW. It was our first time with them, and both my 16 and 6 yr. olds first flight.

I FORGOT to do the online boarding...until midnight the night before!! I jumped out of bed and ran to the computer and completed it, but got "C" boarding passes.

I was so upset with myself, having planned this whole trip to have goofed up! So my dh was at the front of the plane, I was at the back aisle...3rd row from the back. My 5 year old was 2 rows behind me and my 16 yr. old was across the aisle, 3 ahead. I could hear them both crying quietly, and my heart broke!!

I will be paying the extra for our next trip for sure! It's not SW's fault, completely mine. At least the rest of the trip was fantastic!