How bad is SW's lack of seating assignment policy?

[klfrech]

My husband and I will be traveling with two small children to Orlando. Can't beat SW's fares out of Providence, but am concerned about their seating assignment policy. Can anyone give me their opinion of SW, good and bad? Any tips or suggestions on how to get seats together? Thanks!

 

[tiggerlover]

My advice is to arrive early and get in line as soon as you arrive to get a low number. We travelled out of Hartford and were among the first to arrive and got into the first batchof boarding numbers. Then when they called for boarding they asked for people needing assistance and people with children under 5 so we got to board even sooner. Even on the return from Orlando to Hartford we had no problems boarding and were able to find seats together.

 

[jctwizzer]

If one of your children is under 5, you can preboard and there will be no problem getting 4 seats together. Or, If the flight originates where you board, being in the first group (1-30) or second(31-60) group should permit your to all sit together, and its possible you could do it even if you're in the third group. Best bet is to get there a little earlier than usual. Seating goes faster with the SW system and it is democratic--first come, first served. Hated it the first time(a bunch of Dallas Cowboy fans did that). Now think it's the only way to go.

 

[travelcoupons]

I don't care for it. It was difficult finding 4 together...we got the last 4 together and we were pre-boarders with small children.

 

[pbhunt]

Well, it's rather difficult to find 4 seats together on SW, because they fly 737's and there are only 3 seats on each side of the aisle. They are phasing out the rear facing seats, where it might have been possible. On our last flight, the KC to MCO, leg.; A couple that had been on our flight from Oakland simply had one child sit with one parent, separated by a couple of rows.

 

[atigeg]

The lack of seat assignments (coupled with the fact that the supposedly great fares from Chicago to Orlando are never available when I check) has kept me from flying Southwest. As a childless couple, I can just picture us being the last to board after the pre-board for folks with children has pretty much cleared the terminal! We are lucky, because we have ATA in Chicago. ATA is very reasonable, and United & American often match their fares, so we have lots of choices other than Southwest. Otherwise, if they were the cheapest, I'd probably try them because I am a penny-pincher (it's the only way to afford 9 Disney cruises in one year!).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[DVC-Don]

We have flown Southwest for a couple of years now. We always sit 2 and 2. My son and I right behind my wife and daughter. The kids each get a window seat and that leaves the isle seat for someone else. It's worked every flight so far. And my kids are too old to preboard us.

 

[Pluto4President]

once again, I ditto DVC-Don!

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

When we went to WDW in January I took the kids (14 mo. & 33 mo.) and left DH at home. My best friend and her 5 yr. old DS came with us. We took advantage of the preboard and never had any problems. We got in line early to get our boarding passes. I sat with my 2 kids and my friend sat behind us with her DS.

I would fly SW again - escpecially with those great airfares they offer!

 

[wetts1]

As long as you arrive early and are one of the first 30 people to board you will have absolutely no problem sitting with your family. We just used SW for the first time and thought it was a great airline. I did feel sorry for the last few people to board...I would doubt they got seats together.

 

[pbhunt]

The whole issue with Southwest becomes FARE vs. CONVENIENCE & COMFORT. There aren't many children on our flights, I think, because of the family issue. DH and I don't have kids. We generally are able to sit together, but we really don't stress about it too much if we have to sit apart. In spite of the news reports, most people in the air are quite civilized, if your older child has to sit very nearby, but not right next to you, he/she will be fine. If you can get a great fare on SW and skip the movie and the food, it's a fine way to travel, more $ @ WDW.

 

[Ted and Holly]

We LOVED Southwest! The fares are OKAY from here... we never seem to get the good deals. As for the seating, I LIKE choosing my seats. Just leave enough time and get to the airport EARLY!! Again, I like sitting there watching planes come and go... it helps me get prepared to get on a plane myself! We were easily able to sit together, and only a dozen or so people preboard.... it's not like half the plane or anything. You will love the airline. Their safety record is THE BEST, and they are almost always on time. I will only fly them for their safety record alone!!!
Holly

 

[Beanie]

Another lover of SW...we try to use them often, as they preboard people with children under 5 and both of mine are under 5! We do the same as DVC-Don and sit 2 and 2...and I always sit my youngest behind me, that way if she accidently kicks the seat, she is only kicking me! My oldest is always too busy looking out the window and wanting to know how far we are! LOL

 

[Pumbaa_]

Okay, I have to first say I got a great rate! I paid $75 round trip to WDW for DisCOn. COuld not beat the rate.

That beiong said, I would never fly them again!!!! I spent more time standing in line and sitting on the floor in line, that I do not know why they even bother to have seats in the waiting area! It was definately not for me. I prefer to know where my seat is and to know that whomever I am traveling with will be next to me, than take a chance on the plane. I also prefer sitting up front, and that is also hit or miss.

The crew was great and the flight was smooth, but I cannot stand the pre-boarding cattle call!

 

[aprincessmom]

We fly SWA out of Providence frequently and Orlando (not as frequently). We've never had trouble getting seats together (even once traveling with a group of 5).

As a former frequent traveller both nationally and internationally, I don't have a problem with the SWA boarding pass way of doing business. I've been bumped and displaced even with a boarding pass from Northwest, American, United, and Continental so I know even a pre-printed boarding pass is no guarantee I'll be seated.

What I like best about SWA, besides the fares which are usually quite good, is the attitude of the staff, the cleanliness of the airplane, and the fact that in all the flights I've ever taken with them (probably up to about 40 over the past 3 years) we've taken off and arrived on time (sometimes arriving ahead of schedule) consistently. They've never lost my bags, I've never been bumped after paying for my slot, and they've been unfailing courteous and customer oriented on ever flight. In all my years of flying I can not say that of any other airline I've flown.

 

[Shelly S]

I really hate to fly southwest. Of course. if it is the best fare I will use them. I am not opposed to pre boarding for certain situations (there are those who truly need special assistance) , but when at least half the plane is pre boarding it is really irritating, ecspecially when I arrive early and am forced to wait in such a long line for so long. I love pre assigned seats where I can just stroll on and know my seat is waiting for me.

 

[slp87]

We have been flying SW for years and don't mind the boarding procedures. We've never had trouble finding seats together for our family. But everytime the "herd" starts down the jetway to the plane, my husband says, "rattle, rattle, here comes the cattle." I really have no complaints, just bring snacks if you don't like peanuts.