Explain southwest Airlines to me

[connie1042]

We may change our flights to southwest after Air Tran messed with our flights. I am not sure on the seating and boarding thing. It says to check-in right at the 24 hour mark. What does it cost to board with the A pass. I am flying with my sons family and they would totally go off the deep end it their kids were not seated with them. They are 5 and 7. So should 2 of us buy the early boarding or A pass and just save three in the one row and two across from them. We are going to talk about this on Sun when they are here for Easter, so I need information quick. Thanks.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Here are some sites to help you understand SWA and answer your questions.

http://www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/index.html

http://www.southwest.com/flight/early-bird-faq.html?int=HOMEACTGSTELYBRD100223

 

[pamjb]

Personally, if you are able to check in at the 24 hour mark, I wouldn't bother with the Early Boarding fee of $10.
DH's aunt flew Southwest last week. I checked her in at the 24 hour mark in both directions. She got A 45-47-48-49-52 for Philly to Orlando. Very similar numbers for the way home. (not that it mattered,since they didn't pay attention to the boarding announcements until it was last call . In that case, they were separated) But they had no problems getting seats together (3 & 2) for the first flight.
I have even had high B boarding numbers and still been able to find 3 seats together for my family.
Technically, you aren't allowed to save seats.

 

[Hannathy]

If sitting together is their high priority they should get ECB. That is what is great about ala carte tickets you pay for what is important. If it isn't important enough to pay for it then they can't complain if they aren't together. As far as saving seats, do you think that is right? Also if I pay for early check in and get an A and I come on and someone is trying to save the seat I want you better believe I'm sitting in it unless the other persons body is there. Especially if it is a whole row with only 1 person.

PS I would warn them that sitting together isn't guaranteed on any flight/any airline so they can get used to the idea they may be separated.

 

[ccgirl]

I only fly Southwest and have never purchased EBCI. Even when I had C passes my family was still able to sit together. EBCI does not guarantee you an A either. It depends on how many business class customers there are along with how many passengers purchased the EBCI. As others stated, you can attempt to save the seats but someone can sit in those if they want. In any case, I love them. They have never changed flights on me and always have the lowest fares. Good luck.

 

[connie1042]

I went to those sites, so now I can show them that. The only reason I said should I have someone check-in and save the seats, is because I read that on another post. we have never flown SW, so did not know how to proceed. Thanks guys for the info.

 

[bumbershoot]

they would totally go off the deep end it their kids were not seated with them.

When I was flying the legacy airlines and "chose" my seats ahead of time, I probably had that seat changed by the time I got to the gate, oh, half the time.

Your son's family could have issues no matter who they fly...they need to be aware of that.

IMO, there's actually LESS chance of it with SW, because when you get on board, you actually choose the seats from what you can see.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I went to those sites, so now I can show them that. The only reason I said should I have someone check-in and save the seats, is because I read that on another post. we have never flown SW, so did not know how to proceed. Thanks guys for the info.

I'm glad the sites helped. SWA has no policy against saving seats, and as you stated, some have done just that by having a couple of people in the party buy EBCI and saving seats for others. Realistically, if you check in at 24 hours, all of you should be able to board together and find seats near each other.