Anyone fly southwest?? out of Buffalo?

karters*mom

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We are flying Southwest out of buffalo...We've always flown out of Pearson....any advice...It was suggested to check in online..how does that work? thanks
 
Southwest lines you up for boarding (more or less) based on the order you check-in, so definitely check-in on-line beginning 24 hours before your departure time. That should get you coveted "A" boarding passes. There are no seat assignments so the A-passes get you on the plane early and you get the pick of the litter for seats. (You'll have to do the same for your return flight too.)

Make sure you have plenty of time to get through the border; many people with early flights will come over the night before and stay in a motel.

That's about it. Southwest has a good reputation for on-time flights; in a few hours you'll be in sunny Florida!

BobK/Orlando
 
First of all Great Job! Discovering the little secret.

We've done it MANY times. No problems, no worries.

Do you have a very early morning flight? If so I suggest booking a hotel near the Airport thenight before. There areshuttles that take you to the airport AND you can leave your car at the hotel for up to 2 weeks ...try Comfort Suites Dick Rd if interested. They also have continental breakfast.

Do not use curbside check in at the airport just an extra expense b/c you have to tip the bagage handlers. SouthWest is right inside anyway not a big deal to bring your luggage.

Online check in is done up to 24 hrs before your flight. If you have booked online and have etickets...you go to the southwest main page online. Click on "Check in online" on the right hand side. Enter your confirmation number (you only need one). If you try this now it will tell you it's too early to do this (but try as a test).

It will ask you to confirm all passengers. click each box for your travel party. Then print boarding passes.
The sooner you do this 24 hrs to your flight the better "wave" you are in. Southwest does not have specified seat selection. Wave A enters the gate
1st. There is a first come first served seating. Then Wave "B" followed by "C". If you are in "C" you will still get a seat but just not guaranteed to have your whole party sit together.

Take boarding passes with you to the airport. You will enter the number of your boarding pass into the Kiosk at the airport, right at the Southwest desk (don't worry people there to help). You input how many pieces of luggage and your party etc...

TIP: If you are travelling with someone 5 and Under your immediate family (not auntie or granny and grandpa) can be with Wave "A" as preboarding guests, regardless what wave your ticket has been issued.

REMEMBER to do this on the way home to. Ask at your concerge desk to assist 24hrs ahead or wait till the airport (we are always group B coming back b/c we do at airport) REMEMBER your confirmation number for the way home!!!!

On your return trip YOU take your own luggage, after it's been weighed and tagged to the security area before you can head to your gate!

It's super easy, super simple.
 
First of all Great Job! Discovering the little secret.

We've done it MANY times. No problems, no worries.

Do you have a very early morning flight? If so I suggest booking a hotel near the Airport thenight before. There areshuttles that take you to the airport AND you can leave your car at the hotel for up to 2 weeks ...try Comfort Suites Dick Rd if interested. They also have continental breakfast.

Do not use curbside check in at the airport just an extra expense b/c you have to tip the bagage handlers. SouthWest is right inside anyway not a big deal to bring your luggage.

Online check in is done up to 24 hrs before your flight. If you have booked online and have etickets...you go to the southwest main page online. Click on "Check in online" on the right hand side. Enter your confirmation number (you only need one). If you try this now it will tell you it's too early to do this (but try as a test).

It will ask you to confirm all passengers. click each box for your travel party. Then print boarding passes.
The sooner you do this 24 hrs to your flight the better "wave" you are in. Southwest does not have specified seat selection. Wave A enters the gate
1st. There is a first come first served seating. Then Wave "B" followed by "C". If you are in "C" you will still get a seat but just not guaranteed to have your whole party sit together.

Take boarding passes with you to the airport. You will enter the number of your boarding pass into the Kiosk at the airport, right at the Southwest desk (don't worry people there to help). You input how many pieces of luggage and your party etc...

TIP: If you are travelling with someone 5 and Under your immediate family (not auntie or granny and grandpa) can be with Wave "A" as preboarding guests, regardless what wave your ticket has been issued.

REMEMBER to do this on the way home to. Ask at your concerge desk to assist 24hrs ahead or wait till the airport (we are always group B coming back b/c we do at airport) REMEMBER your confirmation number for the way home!!!!

On your return trip YOU take your own luggage, after it's been weighed and tagged to the security area before you can head to your gate!

It's super easy, super simple.

Thanks..I am a bit nervous flying out of buffalo...Our flight is at 7:25am.
We live about 15 min away from the US border. Driving is much better there than Toronto for us!
So I guess we will park and fly? I am assuming they have that option there....:yay:


I booked my flight on-line..so easy to do. Saved the $83 booking charge through CAA!


It sounds easier than Toronto airport!!! Much cheaper as well...less than half the price of TO / Hamilton!
 

Check out the park and fly options. I think around $60 (depending how long you're gone).

No worries. Just have all your paperwork handy for the border crossing. We've had no hassles.
 
My wife and i use to fly out of Perason until i discovered we can fly out of Buffalo 3 times for the same cost as once out of Toronto. When going on line for your boarding pass try and make it as close as possible to exactly 24 hours .:hippie:
 
My wife and i use to fly out of Perason until i discovered we can fly out of Buffalo 3 times for the same cost as once out of Toronto. When going on line for your boarding pass try and make it as close as possible to exactly 24 hours .:hippie:

So if we fly out at 7:25 am on the friday..check in like 7:30am on the thursday.....:upsidedow
 
I thought southwest changed the kiddie preboarding to AFTER the A group just recently...regardless, it should be soon enought that you get a decent seat. THey let us preboard with DS who was 5 and the whole family grandma and grandpa included. We flew with them when we were at disney last aug. but out of detroit. It was a great flight, and great crew. DS dropped some of his crayons just as he was boarding and they fell to the pavement below. When the FA saw him crying, she came to see why, and was soon back with the crayons - she told DS that the pilot had gone down to get them himself, which made DS's day. Have a great flight!!
 
Fly out 7-25am....check in 7-25am...:thumbsup2 :goodvibes
Seriously.....do it right on the exact time.You'd be amazed how many other folk are doing the same thing.

Go here for a Parking coupon
http://www.buffaloairport.com/pdfs/BNIA_Parking_Coupon.pdf

ohhh..thanks for the coupon..I just printed it out....So i check in then does it give me something to print out??
:confused: If SO I guess I have to do it from my computer not my blackberry....thanks for the great help!
 
ohhh..thanks for the coupon..I just printed it out....So i check in then does it give me something to print out??
:confused: If SO I guess I have to do it from my computer not my blackberry....thanks for the great help!

Yes.... you will see it quite clearly where you can print off the check-in doc.
If you do it from your Blackberry(or from a location where you have no access to a printer), you can still check-in online....but you simply go to the SWA computer kiosk at the desk in BUF and follow the onscreen prompts to print it off from there.
 















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