Best way to get my seats for Southwest??

[NJDisneymom]

I've heard you have to call the morning of your flight to get your seat assignments but figured there had to be some more tips to it than that. Are any seats avail in advance or do they just open the flood gates at 12:01am???

I got the CRT PS I wanted for Mother's Day and I'm prepared to try my hardest to get decent seats on the plane too!!!!

So, can anyone tell me exactly when to call, the number to call and is there a place to see the plane layout ahead of time. And I know the back of the plane is usually the least desireable, but is there a "BEST" seat on the plane???

 

[nygrl]

you cant get seats on southwest by calling.. you can check in on line but that will only give you a boarding pass which should be A if you check in on line... that still doesnt give you a good seat though.. when you get to the airport you will line up in the A line if you have an A boarding pass.. if you are first in line that still doesnt get you on the plane first they will pre board people with babies and handicapped people. it really isnt as bad as it sounds but calling wont get you anywhere!

 

[cruiseonmagic]

You don't call in. Go online and print your boarding pass after 1201am the day of your departure. The pass will have a big letter A, B, or C. After the people who need boarding assistance board, group A, then B, then C boards.

 

[inkkognito]

Check in online right after midnight, then get to the airport early and be sure to get in the A line right away. If you have more than one person in your party, someone can hold your spot for potty breaks etc. But don't just put down your luggage and go sit. I've seen people try this, and others just kick the luggage out of the way and line up. We've usually third or fourth in the A line and manage to get in the front section of the plane. Actually, farther back is not all that bad. The only reason we like the front is because we don't check luggage and like to get off quicker because we won't be waiting for bags. But other than exit rows and rare seats, all of the seats are pretty much the same.
Barb

 

[NJDisneymom]

thanks for the info. Guess I was way off base thinking I had to call at 12:01am. So, if I wait until 5-6am will I end up with a "C" boarding pass??

What time zone does it have to be 12:01am in? I'm in EST.

 

[nygrl]

it is 12:01 est if you wait you take the risk of not getting an A pass.. since they started the online check in many people are usung it.. you used to have to get top the airport super early to get an A boarding pass which really stunk.that is why so many people are checking in on line

 

[Sarahsmom85]

I don't know what you mean by "good seats" all seats are the same. Where you sit it the plane is the only difference. The front 6 seats 3 on each side have a little more leg room but they do not have fold down tables so you have to do a balancing act with your drink and food. I believe the last seats do not lean back. Other than that all seat are the same. The worst thing in seat choose having a screaming baby or annoying person near you. Also the biggest problem is getting there late. Other than that, get there early get in line and you have it made. If you have small kids you get to board early. I know people worry about getting split up but if you have kids and can't find seat together just ask a attendent they will help. They do not want a kid crying all the way to Florida because they are not with mommy. Lets face it at these prices a short 2 hr plane ride is nothing to get upset about.

 

[CarolA]

I am not a person who gets up at midnight to print a boarding pass. I print them when I normally awake. Only once have I gotten a "B" by printing first thing in the morning. (The one time I did try at midnight the system was broken!)

 

[NJDisneymom]

I don't know what you mean by "good seats" all seats are the same. Where you sit it the plane is the only difference.

Yes, by best seats I did mean WHERE they are on the plane (ie, back tends to be bumpy, row 15 is a view of the wing, etc.) just things of that nature. I was looking for a diagram of the seat layout and haven't been able to find one. Are all southwest planes 3 seats on each side???

I guess I will stay up till midnight since its EST thats not so bad. And we are traveling with small children so hopefully that means we will board first. I am not sure how far the airport is from us but with an evening flight we shouldn't have a problem getting there nice and early.

 

[jetfxr69]

I am a southwest mechanic. All our airplanes have two columns of three seats on each side, except for the rightside overwing exit row. At row 15 on the right their are only 2 seats. There is no seat against the window for that row. If you are exceptionally tall or just want extra legroom get on as soon as you can and get seat 16f. You will not have a seat in front of you! Stretch 'em out good!

The earlier poster is correct about the last row not reclining because the seats are up against a wall. Other than that they are all pitched(legroom) the same. Most all Orlando flights are loaded down with families heading to Disney so if you dont have children of your own with you, there'll be plenty of 'em around! It will be noisy, but watching the excitement in their eyes is fun in itself.

Have a safe and smooth flight on me.

 

[mommi97]

I am a southwest mechanic. All our airplanes have two columns of three seats on each side, except for the rightside overwing exit row. At row 15 on the right their are only 2 seats. There is no seat against the window for that row. If you are exceptionally tall or just want extra legroom get on as soon as you can and get seat 16f. You will not have a seat in front of you! Stretch 'em out good!

The earlier poster is correct about the last row not reclining because the seats are up against a wall. Other than that they are all pitched(legroom) the same. Most all Orlando flights are loaded down with families heading to Disney so if you dont have children of your own with you, there'll be plenty of 'em around! It will be noisy, but watching the excitement in their eyes is fun in itself.

Have a safe and smooth flight on me.

This is mine and my childrens first flight, what is the best rows to actually sit in so they can see it all? I have a 4, 2, and 7 year old. I believe I read somewhere to sit in front of the wings for the best view, is this true? If so what row are the wings?

 

[CinderellasMama]

You realize there are no seat assignments though? Right? You are just getting a group letter and you go on with that letter. You sit where you want if there is a seat available. It's a basic plane with 3 seats on each side, no first class, and you get peanuts. I love SW for the price and the great people!

Brenda

 

[nygrl]

Yes, by best seats I did mean WHERE they are on the plane (ie, back tends to be bumpy, row 15 is a view of the wing, etc.) just things of that nature. I was looking for a diagram of the seat layout and haven't been able to find one. Are all southwest planes 3 seats on each side???

I guess I will stay up till midnight since its EST thats not so bad. And we are traveling with small children so hopefully that means we will board first. I am not sure how far the airport is from us but with an evening flight we shouldn't have a problem getting there nice and early.

how young are your children?? if any of them are under 5 than you get to pre board and you wont have to worry about an A boarding pass.. just line up in the pre boarding line and you will get on even before the A people get on

 

[ducklite]

Actually they don't always preboard! We've only flown SW once (and never again, just don't like the circus dealing with getting the seats you want!). From PHL to MCO they preboarded one family--they had an ifnat and had purchased a seat so needed to install a car seat. From MCO to PHL there was no preboard. Several families got on at the end and were split up because no other families were willing to split up to accomodate them.

Anne

 

[gw_lit]

how young are your children?? if any of them are under 5 than you get to pre board and you wont have to worry about an A boarding pass.. just line up in the pre boarding line and you will get on even before the A people get on

I would still try to get an A boarding pass, at times pre-boarding on flights to or from Orlando will be suspended for families with small children, due to the large number of families and children going to Orlando.

This is mine and my childrens first flight, what is the best rows to actually sit in so they can see it all? I have a 4, 2, and 7 year old. I believe I read somewhere to sit in front of the wings for the best view, is this true? If so what row are the wings?

Generally, the exit rows (the rows with doors) and a row or two on either side of them will be over the wings and will block your view of the ground. You won't be able to sit in the exit rows (I think Row 14 & 15... our SW mechanic can probably verify this) anyway since you have children under the age of 15, so that's not a worry. The front of the plane always is nice since you get off the plane quicker, but I don't have any problem sitting in back either. Some people say they feel turbulence less in the front of the plane than the back, but I've never noticed a difference, but turbulence doesn't bother me, so your results may vary!

 

[jetfxr69]

I wasn't aware they don't always pre-board in Orlando. I am in Baltimore and have always seen pre-boarding for small children. The reason we allow this is because it would take alot longer to try and get other pax's to move to accomodate a family and small child. It is in the best interest of SWA and the Orlando ops agents to pre-board and not delay the flight. I guess I will find out first hand in May as I am taking my 4 year old for her first Disney trip. Even though I get flight benefits I bought tickets for the trip. Didn't want to start the week stressing over a couple stand-by seats. I'm sure we will pre-board in BWI and will look forward to seeing how Orlando handles it.

As for good seats, just avoid between about rows 12-17 (wing view) other than that the rest have good views.

Here is a tip that all with small children can use. If you have a child old enough(no toddlers) to be interested in the cockpit, and get to pre-board, once you have got your seat, walk up to the cockpit and ask the pilots if your child can take a look. most of our pilots are very accomodating and will allow them up there for a couple minutes while others are still boarding. It's very exciting for them and the crews are very kind. Please be aware though that they may be busy with their work and may respectfully say no. As a mechanic, many times I have been up front working and observed the pilots talking with children and asking them about their trip. It's an exciting way for them to start their trip. Have your camera ready too. Usually you can get a cool snapshot of them up there .

 

[SB in KY]

Don't get your hopes up about "the perfect" seats....its SOUTHWEST...perfect seats mean you are all on the same plane!!

If you are on a flight with preboarding chances are 2/3 of the seats will be taken by families with small children (so staying up until all hours for the A boarding passes won't help you a bit....just line up with the other 200 people on your flight flying with small children...) however if your flight does NOT preboard families with children the A pass will help some, but you will still need to stand in line at the gate with all 3 kids for 30 or 45 minutes to be at the front of the line (personally I would have rather flown in the baggage compartment than stand in line with my 3 for 45 minutes before boarding).

Now granted it isn't my first flight, but for the 30 seconds or so of view you might get out of the tiny window before you hit the clouds wouldn't make a whit of difference....and only the kid sitting next to the window will see anything anyways...I would relax....take any boarding pass I got, and sit there with your little ones happily playing while you chuckle at the clowns that line up an hour before boarding and stand there hollering at their kids to get back in line....get on when you can and enjoy the trip.

The difference between the "best" and the "worst" seat on the plane is negligible....the only seat worth fighting for is the exit row, with extra leg room and you can't sit there with kids anyways....none of the rest make any difference what so ever.

People kick and claw to sit at the front so they can get off the plane first...it's VACATION....will 5 minutes more make any difference??

Just don't set yourself up for disapointment....relax, sit anyplace and have a good time!!

 

[Pinnie]

People kick and claw to sit at the front so they can get off the plane first...it's VACATION....will 5 minutes more make any difference??

QUOTE]

I love it they way the kick and claw to the FRONT of the plane because the claim they need MORE TIME to board with their child. Then the converse is true. They need to stay IN THEIR SEATS until those of us without kids under the age of 5 can get off. so they can get their stuff together without holding up those of us with connections to make!

sorry..my little rant

pinnie

 

[ducklite]

I love it they way the kick and claw to the FRONT of the plane because the claim they need MORE TIME to board with their child. Then the converse is true. They need to stay IN THEIR SEATS until those of us without kids under the age of 5 can get off. so they can get their stuff together without holding up those of us with connections to make!

sorry..my little rant

pinnie

Amen to that!!! When our DS was young we'd hold back, collect ourselves, and wait until we weren't going to be holding anyone up as we deplaned.

Anne

 

[jetfxr69]

I'm sorry if you had an unpleasant experience with Southwest. Just a couple of corrections for others to note. All of our aircraft have 137 seats on them. If you have a child under 5 you will be allowed to pre-board regardless of the boarding group (a,b,or c) you hold. The order for pre-board is anyone that needs special assistance(wheelchairs and such), unaccompanied minors, and then families with small children.

If you do not qualify to pre-board and hold an A boarding card, then you will board after the pre-boarders. If you dont want to stand in line, then dont. Simply sit and wait until the end of the A line is boarding and then get up and go to the door. You will be put on before any B or C pax's. Because there are only 137 seats, even if you wait until all pre-boarders and all other A pax's to get on, you will still find plenty of seats together for your family. The plane will only be 1/2 loaded at the most at this point.

If you have older kids and cant pre-board and MUST sit together, then by all means do what it takes to get an A pass or stand in line early for the B or C group. Many people leave the middle seats empty and usually those at the end get these. If you are late getting to the airport or dont wait in line at the gate to baord, you will probably be split up in your seating.

Here is a tip I have seen work before. As you are looking for 2 seats together and realize you will have to be split up, offer someone to buy them their first drink if they will move to a single seat to help you out. This helps if you have a child in tow. Dont be afraid to ask someone directly. Most people flying alone understand and will help you out. Also be sure to look for anyone sitting in uniform. We fly alot of employees around the system for various reasons, and most all will be helpful. Good luck.