Flying Southwest for the first time....tips?

[CJK]

I've been reading a few threads on southwest and to be honest, I'm a bit worried! Is there anything I can do to increase the chances of sitting with dh on the flight?? It's only the 2 of us and we're going to Disney for free dining in August via Buffalo. If we check-in at the airport the day before, would that increase our chances? I've just never heard of such a seating system (A, B or C rather than assigned seats on our boarding passes) so I have no idea what to expect. Thanks for any info!

 

[tone.def]

WHAT... I think you're reading too much mis-information

Okay, what you need to do is check in online 24 hours before your flight. You do not need to go to the airport the day before. When you check in online, you will be assigned a boarding letter A, B or C. If you do this 24 hours in advance, you're pretty sure to get an A. As you will be checking in together (one reservation I assume?), you should both be in the same boarding group.

When you get to the gate approx. 30 minutes before boarding, you will be required to line up under your corresponding boarding group. Customers holding boarding pass A will begin general boarding (this is the group you want to be in), followed by Customers with boarding pass B and then C.

Line up together and get on the plane together and you're sure to sit together!

 

[lizzyb]

We flew with them last October and had no issues. We could not do the online check in as we had an infant so we boarded with group B and had no issues getting our seats

 

[disneyfan2]

plus even if you don't get an A, with only 2 people you should still be able to sit together, but further back in the plane

 

[misslissa]

If you follow all of tone.def's tips, you'll be fine! I also tend to get to the gate an hour or 2 in advance and just sit down in line. We have been both A and B and have sat together.

There are just the two of us and we have flown with Southwest 14 times. Only once have we sat apart, DH sat behind me and I met some nice people on board.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Southwest has slightly changed their boarding procedures. You check in online 24 hours before the flight and you will receive a boarding pass that has a letter, A, B or C on it but it will also have a number as well -- ie. you'll get something like A24, A25 etc. You don't need to be at the boarding area an hour before your flight and sit on the floor as you'll line up in order, according to the A, B, C but also according to your number as well. I believe A1-A16 are reserved for those booking the business select ticket so the tickets start at A17 and then you board in line. It's easier than it probably sounds. We've flown many times and only once have we sat apart and that was because we were at the end of the C's -- first flight and we didn't check in online the night before.

Have a great flight!!

 

[mickeywho?]

Don't forget to do the same for your flight going home. If you have a laptop with you - you can do it on your own, if not, go to any guest services or front desk at any hotel (not just the one you're staying in) and they will do it for you. Have your confirmation #s with you and watch the clock! Good luck - but really it's not a big deal and you'll both be fine.

 

[NikP]

Don't forget to do the same for your flight going home. If you have a laptop with you - you can do it on your own, if not, go to any guest services or front desk at any hotel (not just the one you're staying in) and they will do it for you. Have your confirmation #s with you and watch the clock! Good luck - but really it's not a big deal and you'll both be fine.

Will they do this for you at Guest Services in the Magic Kingdom?

 

[disyady]

Will they do this for you at Guest Services in the Magic Kingdom?

Yes - or any of the other parks as well.

 

[CJK]

Ohh, thanks so much everyone! I'm feeling better now.

Question about the 24hr window for checking in... If we're flying at 7:30am, would we need to checkin online the day before at 7:30am? I was planning to just checkin at our Orlando airport hotel the night before, but maybe that's not enough time? I may have to go to the Magic Kingdom that morning afterall....

 

[cdnmickeylover]

The checkin is 24 hours prior so if your flight is Friday at 8:05am the online checkin will open Thursday at 8:05am.

 

[karters*mom]

I've been reading a few threads on southwest and to be honest, I'm a bit worried! Is there anything I can do to increase the chances of sitting with dh on the flight?? It's only the 2 of us and we're going to Disney for free dining in August via Buffalo. If we check-in at the airport the day before, would that increase our chances? I've just never heard of such a seating system (A, B or C rather than assigned seats on our boarding passes) so I have no idea what to expect. Thanks for any info!

Make sure to check in online at the 24hour mark!
I was on the computer and tried like 5 min/ 4min..3 min and so on. Their time seems to be a minute slower or so!I hit refresh page and it allowed me to log in! I was section A32-33-34. we sat in the front of the plane, lots of leg room!

On the way back front desk printed out passes, we were there at the 24 hour mark. She got us A21/22/23.

The last few people on the plane didn't get to sit together! But they all sat in isle seats next to eachother

 

[hockey mom]

If your departure time is 7:30 get comfy at your computer at 7:25 and keep hitting refresh.

I like to set up someone at home to do my return boarding passes then I just reprint them at the airport. If you have a sister or mother or someone with a computer it takes the worry out of doing it while on my vacation.

 

[who's ur daddy?]

Just remember that the "A" boarding pass is the golden ticket. Get one of those and you'll be fine.

Whatever your plans are 24 hrs in advance of your flight - change it and sit in front of the computer to get the coveted "A"!

 

[karters*mom]

Just remember that the "A" boarding pass is the golden ticket. Get one of those and you'll be fine.

Whatever your plans are 24 hrs in advance of your flight - change it and sit in front of the computer to get the coveted "A"!

I agree. We were suppose to be having dinner at Coral Reef at 8pm but changed our reservations to a different place. Would have been impossible to get back to the hote in time to check in at 8:55...no chance at losing my "a" spot...lol

 

[maryrego]

We had C on our last trip
Luckly we were able to get 2 ailse seats so we still kinda beside eachother
Could have been worse

 

[OatsZoo]

I am so glad SW changed there boarding passes to A1,A2,A3 etc. If you go on SW website there is a really cute cartoon skit on how the new boarding works. No more sitting on the floor and lining up 1-2 hrs ahead of time. I love it!

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

We checked in for our flight home at the Epcot Guest Services on the Sunday of the long weekend. We were about 45 minutes past the 24 hour mark and got in the first part of the B group. Of course, we were travelling with a wee one, so got on after the A group anyway.

The CM at guest services was more than happy to do it for us. You don't have to run back to the hotel to do it -- just hit any Guest Services.

 

[pxlbarrel]

We checked in for our flight home at the Epcot Guest Services on the Sunday of the long weekend. We were about 45 minutes past the 24 hour mark and got in the first part of the B group. Of course, we were travelling with a wee one, so got on after the A group anyway.

The CM at guest services was more than happy to do it for us. You don't have to run back to the hotel to do it -- just hit any Guest Services.

Wow...it's tips like these that are a reason Disboards should be read by everybody going to WDW. I was worried that I'd have to rush back to get on the internet in the middle of the day (flight leaves at 12:40 or around then). The last day is always our hopping extroardinaire day where we go from park to park to park redoing the best part of the week. LOL Nice to know I can go to guest services for this. Wonderful!!

 

[canron]

we fly 3 times ayear with them never any trouble..just came back last week..going again in july..just waiting for a ding deal....enjoy...check in 24 hours ahead on line...its great..we went 5times in 1 year with them...been going with southwest for 8 or 9 years now