chances of getting A passes on SW

[DaisyD]

I have to get my boarding passes today for our trip tomorrow. If I get on exactly 24 hours in advance will I have a good chance of getting A boarding passes? Or will everyone else be doing the same thing and I might be stuck with B or C? Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

A lot of passengers don't bother getting BP at exactly the 24 hour mark. The only issue is if your flight has connecting or continuing passengers. Those passengers were able to get their BP 24 hours before their first flight. That may be a factor if you're flying from an airport that has a lot of connecting passengers. Baltimore, Chicago and Vegas are good examples.

edited to say I see you're from Maryland. All passengers who are connecting (or continuing through) at Baltimore will be able to get a BP an hour or more before you can. If you're stuck with a "B" it's not because other passengers beat you by a few minutes but because other passengers were able to check in two hours before you.

 

[DaisyD]

OIC. Thanks! Hopefully there aren't that many coming from other places.

 

[bg4]

to answer original question:

if you check-in exactly at 24 hr mark you have close to 100% chance of getting an A bp considering that a lot dont check-in on line and those that do may not be there at the 24 hr mark.

 

[Lewisc]

to answer original question:

if you check-in exactly at 24 hr mark you have close to 100% chance of getting an A bp considering that a lot dont check-in on line and those that do may not be there at the 24 hr mark.

The issue is how many passengers on the OP's flight will be able to get a BP more than 24 hours before the flight. I've gotten high sequence numbers, almost a B BP, under those circumstances.

The OP is flying from Baltimore which is sort of a hub for SW.

 

[WillCAD]

I have never gotten less than an A boarding pass for flights from BWI-MCO, as long as I have checked in at the 24-hour mark.

 

[DaisyD]

Wohoo! I got As!!! Thanks all!

 

[Jestocost]

A lot of passengers don't bother getting BP at exactly the 24 hour mark. The only issue is if your flight has connecting or continuing passengers. Those passengers were able to get their BP 24 hours before their first flight. That may be a factor if you're flying from an airport that has a lot of connecting passengers. Baltimore, Chicago and Vegas are good examples.

edited to say I see you're from Maryland. All passengers who are connecting (or continuing through) at Baltimore will be able to get a BP an hour or more before you can. If you're stuck with a "B" it's not because other passengers beat you by a few minutes but because other passengers were able to check in two hours before you.

If passengers are continuing through and not connecting, they could have a C boarding pass and still be on the plane before the Baltimore passengers have a chance to pick a seat.

 

[PlutosFriend]

I always get A when I check in 24 hours in advance. You should be fine!

 

[Lewisc]

If passengers are continuing through and not connecting, they could have a C boarding pass and still be on the plane before the Baltimore passengers have a chance to pick a seat.

Good point. The passenger that got a "C" BP at the airport gets to pick his favorite seat after the other passengers leave the plane and before even the new pre-boards board the plane.

 

[WildGrits]

Ok, I feel stupid.

I will be flying SW this year. First time. What's the difference between the BPes?

 

[Jestocost]

Ok, I feel stupid.

I will be flying SW this year. First time. What's the difference between the BPes?

Southwest does not assign seats, but boards the plane in three letter groups—A, B & C—of about 45 people each, and you pick your seat from those that aren't already occupied once you get on the plane. When they board, anyone continuing on the flight from a previous airport already is on the plane with their seat. They then preboard families with small children and other people who need special assistance. After that, people with A boarding passes board, followed by B and C. As a result, people with A BPs have a good chance of getting whatever seat they want, B and C passengers have fewer options. Passengers also form lines in the airport, so the worst position you can be in is at the back of the C line.

BP groups are assigned based on order of check in. As a result, if you check in earlier you have a better chance of getting an A. SW allows online check ins 24 hours in advance of the flight, so checking in as soon as you can online gives you the best chance of getting an A.