For those who have flown SWA, some ???'s

[paslea_pooh]

I downloaded the ding software, even though our trip isnt' until end of November I'm trying to keep an eye on the fares just for curiosity sake.

My questions is this - If you don't have seat assignments how do you go about where you are going to sit? Most importantly, I understand that families with children get to board first BUT does the whole family get to board (7 of us total including Grandma), if so how old does the youngest child have to be. Mine will be 5 Nov7th.


Do you have to print out your boarding passes? If you don't how do you board and I read somewhere about checking in online? I'd like to know all these things before I purchase tickets for our trip.

My Mom usually flies Continental out of Newark but I can't afford to pay $300 and up Per person!

thanks

 

[gigi1313]

here's what we've done historically and have never had a problem... bear in mind that no one wants to sit next to your 5yo more than you do

the first line of boarding is elderly/handicapped/children under 5... next is the A group... after that B and C... basically you need a boarding pass which you can either print out from your computer after midnight on the day you travel and bring with you (although there is no guarantee that this will be an A) or you can get your boarding pass when you curb-check your luggage... again, no guarantee whether it will be A B or C...

we have always had success w/curb-checking and getting an A pass... but we get to the airport 2 hours before flight time... that's just the way i am, better early than on time! LOL!

when our children were smaller or when travelling w/my parents (dad's in a wheelchair) we have always pre-boarded (gone before the As)... no matter when you get on, you go to the seats you would like (assuming they are empty) and sit down... what we have found that works for us is the following configuration: window, kid, mom, kid, aisle, dad, stranger, stranger window (all southwest planes i have been on have been three across aisle three across)

again, no one will want to sit w/your kids w/out you and typically passengers are very accomodating to help families stay together... we've never had a problem!

 

[klinlin]

We just flew SW in March. MY boys were 2 and 3 1/2, so I could pre board. However, if you check in online (anytime after 12:01 a.m.) you can pretty much be assured of getting "A" seats. We checked our bags curbside on both ends of the trip and had no problem.

SW is great... no need to worry!

 

[tebookie]

As far as preboarding goes: i'm not sure what age limit they cut off preboarding...I would think it would be for smaller children...to get car seats all in order. It also kind of depends on how full your flight will be. Lots of people boarding the plane, they may not allow a party of 7 all go at once. THen again, they may. They have let 4 of us preboard - 3 adults with 1 child all at once.

Once on the plane, seats are first come first serve. You can sit anywhere you like. YOu could be the first person on the plane and choose the first row or last row...its your choice.

To get your boarding passes, use curb side or go inside the terminal and proceed like you would normally. They may have automated check in machines or you can use an actually person. Either way, you can check your luggage there and obtain your boarding passes. ONce you ge to your gate, you can always ask them to preboard. even if only a few of you are allowed...just put something on the seat to save it.

Southwest is the first airline I check when I need to fly. Never had a problem with them!

 

[tebookie]

PS.. I am going down to FLA on Saturday. There are 7 of us all together. Only 2 kids, age 3, and almost 2. I will let you know what they let us do! We will try to preboard all together.