EARLY Southwest flights

[Alicnwondrln]

How are they? I have never flown SW I usually fly Jetblue.
Are they full? DO I still need to get thier super early for this seating thing?
My flight is at 630am outta Manchester.

 

[bearybubba]

My DH and I flew Southwest out of PIT in 5/05. OUr flight was at 7:20am and I thought it was pretty full.
Curious about getting to the airport so early as well. I want to get as much rest as possible before heading to the parks when we get there!

 

[Fonzy13]

Usually pretty full, but always on time, if not early.

 

[salmoneous]

For Southwest, the key is checking in at exactly the 24 hour mark. Getting to the airport super early isn't necessary.

 

[zumbergc]

Don't forget you can check-in online 24 hous before the flight.

 

[matysgrandma]

We usually take the first flight out of Chicago, and most of the time they're pretty full. But I like the fact that, unless weather is bad, you always leave on time and get to MCo a little earlier than scheduled.

 

[tebookie]

How are they? I have never flown SW I usually fly Jetblue.
Are they full? DO I still need to get thier super early for this seating thing?
My flight is at 630am outta Manchester.

I'm on the same flight out of Manchester and was wondering the same thing. I figured it wouldn't be so full, but not sure.

What day do you fly out?

 

[swilphil]

When I have flown to Orlando, the flight is usually full or pretty close. We do usually travel during peak times though.

 

[JCTigger]

How are they? I have never flown SW I usually fly Jetblue.
Are they full? DO I still need to get thier super early for this seating thing?
My flight is at 630am outta Manchester.

What day? Im going on the 630 flight on wednesday the 22nd. They are not really that bad that early in the morning.

 

[Snoozan]

I have always found the early flights from BDL to MCO basically full - whether SW or Delta. Last time I flew SW in February, I took a late morning flight, which I found less crowded. Just be aware - the airport will be quite busy in the early AM and security lines might be a bit long.

 

[MrMarv]

The recommendation is that you arrive at the airport 90-120 minutes before your plane departs.

I flew on Southwest four times last month, followed that rule to the letter, checked in online 24 hours in advance, and everything went flawlessly, even flying out of three huge Southwest cities--LA, Phoenix & Nashville.

With their on-time record, and since you're taking the first flight out, getting to Manchester's airport 60-90 minutes before takeoff should be perfect.

 

[jennib5426]

I flew out on a wed morning (7:30am) on SW out of Wash DC and there were 15- 20 people on my flight.
They didn't even do the A,B,C thing. They just made an announcement for everyone to board at once. They also made a joke about the flight being so empty.

 

[MrMarv]

Twenty passengers on a 7:30 AM flight?????

My goodness!!!!!

 

[jennib5426]

Twenty passengers on a 7:30 AM flight?????

My goodness!!!!!

That was in March and I am hoping for it again on my Sept, wed morning flight. I checked SW today and they still have seats left for $49, so it must still be an empty flight.

I had about 12 seats to myself on that flight

 

[Rpsemont]

Definitely get to the airport early. Getting through security can be a challenge.
Last fall DH and I were on a SWA - BDL - MCO Saturday morning flight (7:20AM) We got to the airport around 6AM. DH dropped me off with the bags and went to park the car. It took me about 30 minutes to get to the gate. DH was back about 20 minutes later but by that time the line through security was HUGE! I had asked how full the flight was and was told almost full. I called DH when we started boarding, I asked the gate agent to please wait for him. Departure time came and the plane was not even 1/3 full!!!! I kept calling him to gauge his progress. They announced that they were going to wait a few minutes so some people could get through security. DH boarded when the flight was about 70% full. The last family to board was 4 adults and 3 toddlers. (2 under 2) Needless to say they were spread out all over the plane. (I couldn't help but think preboarding doesn't work unless you're there in time to preboard) Anyway, we took off about 25 minutes late.

Of course if your flight is at 6AM, call and see when the airport opens, For some REALLY early flights, you don't want to be there 90 minutes early because security won't even be open.

 

[Praise God]

For Southwest, the key is checking in at exactly the 24 hour mark. Getting to the airport super early isn't necessary.

This is true.
I've only travelled on SWA twice but getting the section A is the best way to make sure you get your pick of seats. The online check in is essential for SWA
In terms of getting through security as mentioned by Rpsemont, you have to follow the guidelines for your airport. Philadelphia airport is always recommended 2 hours before, but there are times when you have to allow more time like around holidays. If it is weekdays, the early ones are full, but are often easy to get through security, because of the business travelers who know what to (and not) do.

 

[PlutoPony]

That was in March and I am hoping for it again on my Sept, wed morning flight. I checked SW today and they still have seats left for $49, so it must still be an empty flight.

I had about 12 seats to myself on that flight

We're taking the 7:30 SW flight out of Dulles on the 27th and there are still $79 seats left for that one (we snagged $49), and $49 left for the return on Labor Day weekend. Makes me wonder how well SW's doing at Dulles, kwim?
How was SW check-in that early? We're familiar with security lines that early but this is the first time we've used SW.....

 

[Alicnwondrln]

the flight leaves at 635am
i have a car service picking me up at 430 and they said that should get me to the airport by 530
is an hour enough time
the lady at the car service place said it was but I am a worrier and dont wanna be stucj behind osme huge line

 

[dburg30]

Leaving 12/8 out of CMH at 7am and the 2 lowest priced fares are blocked out now. At what point fare wise do you consider the plane 'full' then overbooked? At the next to highest fare 'full' then the highest only left over booked? In that case, if it would appear that maybe it would be overbooked, when you pre check in at that point would only the capacity get boarding passes or would everyone still get them? If everyone gets them, at that point does it become first come first served on the boarding passes?

Just curious on how that happens.