How does Southwest Airlines boarding work?

[Minnesota!]

This was probably covered later in the thread (only read to this post) but EBCI is $10 per way. So it's $20 per person, per round trip.

I've never been able to choose EBCI just one way, like some others have claimed. My only option has been doing it for the entire round trip and I'm fine with that.

We are only flying one way with them. Taking Airtran down.

However, that brings up a new question (that was probably answered already)....I have a layover. Change planes in St. Louis. Does the $10 EBCI I bought carry over to THAT plane, too?

 

[Jestocost]

We are only flying one way with them. Taking Airtran down.

However, that brings up a new question (that was probably answered already)....I have a layover. Change planes in St. Louis. Does the $10 EBCI I bought carry over to THAT plane, too?

You will be checked in for both flights when the EBCI goes through for your first flight.

 

[SaraJayne]

We are only flying one way with them. Taking Airtran down.

However, that brings up a new question (that was probably answered already)....I have a layover. Change planes in St. Louis. Does the $10 EBCI I bought carry over to THAT plane, too?

Yes. I just asked this question a few weeks ago here on the board.

When you get your boarding passes, you'll have two of them ~ one for each leg.

 

[Minnesota!]

You will be checked in for both flights when the EBCI goes through for your first flight.

Yes. I just asked this question a few weeks ago here on the board.

When you get your boarding passes, you'll have two of them ~ one for each leg.

Muchos gracias! I am hoping I love SWA after I fly them - got the credit card and enough points for 4 RT tix for next year to somewhere that ISN'T Minnesota

 

[vacationclub]

I have never seen people squeezin in to fill their number spots..it works very nicely.

Huh? It happens hundreds of times a day, especially if it's a small gate area. You stand in line, near the window or a row of seats, but, as people try to get to their spot in line they have to squeeze by others already standing with their bags, stuffed into and area that no one wants to walk away from to not loose their spot. People are basically forced to get uncomfortably close to each other to hold their place in the line.

It is so much better, in my very humble opinion, then standing there, politely waiting for your zone or row number to be called, all the while watching other, less polite people, scoot in before their row/zone was called. I watch it happen every single time I fly. How do I know?? Just by listening...I hear...'Yeah, row 18 is close enough to 10, let's go.'...for example.

That's not a real comparison. Because they have seat assignments, those people are going to sit in the same seat regardless of sneaking on early. And, many airlines enforce this, and tell people to stand aside if they try to sneak.

And what airline changes seats??? Almost every single one. Every time I have flown with Delta, I have had seats changed due to changes in flights...either schedule or equipment changes. Same thing with JB, although not nearly as frequent. It has happened on AirTran and DirectAir (most recently).

I didn't ask "what airline changes seats?" I know that. I was asking about any airline that may have moved you to a less desired seat even if you paid. Your experience is completely different than mine. In any of those cases, did you pay for an assigned seat then get moved to a seat that was less desired, from say a row to a window, to a middle, from legroom to non-legroom? If so, which airline?

And A16 means A16.

Plus the through passengers...
But I guess what you're saying then is that B16 doesn't mean B16.

I have seen people asked to move by flight attendents many times on SW. I watched one woman walk around the gate area for 90 mins, with her son. This was prior to the current boarding process. We all boarded, and as the doors were being readied for closure, that woman came running onto the plane with her son..he was about 4 or 5. The FAs then asked for someone to give up their seats so the woman could be seated with her ds. No one moved. The FA finally said that the plane wouldn't move from the gate until that mother and child were seated beside each other. So....a couple gave up their seats (that they had stood in line for for over an hour..they were a few people behind me) and they were split up, seated rows apart from each other. So, that mother and child did whatever they wanted to and still got to sit together. I've seen FAs ask for people to give up their seats many times...it is not uncommon.

Sounds much more efficient than just giving people seat assignments that avoid these ugly scenarios.

Is it a perfect system? No, it's not. But, it isn't the devil incarnate as some would have us believe. It is a very easy system to use.

Except for getting to your computer at exactly 24 hours before the flight, or else pay $20 per RT per person.
Except for making sure you're in line, no matter what, at the time they line up...even if you did pay $20 per RT per person. I believe SW is the only airline that has multiple threads, including this one, just on how to get on the aircraft and "work the system". I don't think there is anything easier than going directly to a seat that is numbered and only meant for you, especially if you have the option to actually pick that seat ahead of time and know exactly where you are going and what kind of experience you may be having due to your seat location.

Not to mention that SW seldom changes a flight once they put it out there. Yes, if there were to be an issue with the equipment or such, then there would be a change, but with SW, you don't have to continually be checking to see if your flight is still valid.

I've never had a flight change on another airline, ever, that didn't alert me to that change. It's great that SW rarely changes. Definitely a plus. Free bags a plus. No change fees a plus. Now if they could just let people get a seat assignment and avoid all this other stuff they'd be perfect.

I was unsure of Southwest and the boarding till I tried it. Once you try it you will like it. As others have said, the whole boarding process to me goes so much faster then on other airlines. With free baggage check most people check their bags, so they are not taking all the time trying to find a place on the plane for the 2 or 3 bags they bring, they just pick a seat and get out of the way for the next passenger.

Once you try it you will like it....or not like it. There's a 50/50 chance.

I see people on SW boarding with bags just like they have bags on every other airline. The rules of bringing important stuff with you on the plane still apply even if checked luggage is free. The overheads still seem to fill up on SW just like every other airline, so apparently there are still a lot of people placing bags up there. Jetblue gives you the first bag for free also, but still has filled up overhead space. FYI, people are only allowed 2 bags (a bag and a personal) not 3.

 

[SaraJayne]

Muchos gracias! I am hoping I love SWA after I fly them - got the credit card and enough points for 4 RT tix for next year to somewhere that ISN'T Minnesota

I got the CC, too...for somewhere that isn't WI.

 

[goofy4tink]

Huh? It happens hundreds of times a day, especially if it's a small gate area. You stand in line, near the window or a row of seats, but, as people try to get to their spot in line they have to squeeze by others already standing with their bags, stuffed into and area that no one wants to walk away from to not loose their spot. People are basically forced to get uncomfortably close to each other to hold their place in the line.
Please, people close to each other everywhere. It has never bothered me to stand close to someone in that SW boarding line. You don't need to stand there for long...you can remain in your seat until the group in front of your spot moves. It's all very simple.

That's not a real comparison. Because they have seat assignments, those people are going to sit in the same seat regardless of sneaking on early. And, many airlines enforce this, and tell people to stand aside if they try to sneak. Sure, but again, those people are all hovering around the jetway entrance, making it difficult to get through when your row/zone is called.



I didn't ask "what airline changes seats?" I know that. I was asking about any airline that may have moved you to a less desired seat even if you paid. Your experience is completely different than mine. In any of those cases, did you pay for an assigned seat then get moved to a seat that was less desired, from say a row to a window, to a middle, from legroom to non-legroom? If so, which airline?
Um, DirectAir, Delta, Airtran, Jetblue.


Plus the through passengers...
But I guess what you're saying then is that B16 doesn't mean B16. Sounds much more efficient than just giving people seat assignments that avoid these ugly scenarios.
Haven't seen too many 'ugly scenarios'.


Except for getting to your computer at exactly 24 hours before the flight, or else pay $20 per RT per person.
Except for making sure you're in line, no matter what, at the time they line up...even if you did pay $20 per RT per person. I believe SW is the only airline that has multiple threads, including this one, just on how to get on the aircraft and "work the system". I don't think there is anything easier than going directly to a seat that is numbered and only meant for you, especially if you have the option to actually pick that seat ahead of time and know exactly where you are going and what kind of experience you may be having due to your seat location.
People post about it so often because they normally fly the legacy airlines and have no idea how SW works. Then, they complain about the system. But, they sure do like the price of the offered fares and the fact that they can check two bags for free. It's new to them, they ask questions.


I've never had a flight change on another airline, ever, that didn't alert me to that change. It's great that SW rarely changes. Definitely a plus. Free bags a plus. No change fees a plus. Now if they could just let people get a seat assignment and avoid all this other stuff they'd be perfect.
Well, then you're lucky. I know that when I fly Delta, and book as early as I can in order to get the flights I want, they make a change at least three times before I actually fly. And only once have they actually alerted me to the fact. When they do alert me, it is usually after the last change, which is a week or so before my flights. I prefer to know when my flights have changed, so feel the need to check the status often.



Once you try it you will like it....or not like it. There's a 50/50 chance.

I see people on SW boarding with bags just like they have bags on every other airline. The rules of bringing important stuff with you on the plane still apply even if checked luggage is free. The overheads still seem to fill up on SW just like every other airline, so apparently there are still a lot of people placing bags up there. Jetblue gives you the first bag for free also, but still has filled up overhead space. FYI, people are only allowed 2 bags (a bag and a personal) not 3.

I see many more carryon bags when flying Delta, or JetBlue. Yes, there are always going to be carryon bags on SW flights. I've taken them myself, but that was simply because I didn't need a checked bag and didn't want to wait for it in any event.


Seriously, it would seem that you don't like SW. And that's fine. This is America. You get to choose what airline you use. But, really?? With the numbers of people that fly with SW, they must be doing something right. I have a choice as to which airline I fly with. I usually choose either JB or SW...depends on flight times that are available. SW isn't going to be what 100% of the flying public needs when flying. And that's fine. But for someone to come along and try to make it appear that SW is the worst thing since bubonic plague??? Sorry, that's not fair. It's always ok to give the other side of the coin so to speak. But, as you said, your experiences are different than mine, but that doesn't mean my experiences or feelings are invalid.

Man.....just trying to give a fair and concise view of SW and it's boarding proceedures. Cut a girl some slack here.

 

[vacationclub]

Please, people close to each other everywhere. It has never bothered me to stand close to someone in that SW boarding line. You don't need to stand there for long...you can remain in your seat until the group in front of your spot moves. It's all very simple.

OK, cool. But you can't make an argument against being crowed at the gate, people milling around, etc, and not also acknowledge the crowded awkward line procedure for SW. I was simply pointing out that whatever disadvantage you've observed with all the other airlines can be matched with some other disadvantage from SW

Sure, but again, those people are all hovering around the jetway entrance, making it difficult to get through when your row/zone is called.
Not I my experience would I ever call it difficult to get through. People always stand in a sort of semi-circle around the outside. I't no more difficult than the line up procedure.

Um, DirectAir, Delta, Airtran, Jetblue.
OK, cool. So, just curious, in those situations, where you paid for a certain seat, and then they moved you to a lessor seat (I'm don't know the details because you didn't provide any) did you explain that you paid extra for a seat perference? What were the details of these events that would make it seem like paid seat assignments aren't really seat assignments?

Haven't seen too many 'ugly scenarios'.
But you just described one. How many is too many? The point is you never see that scenario on airlines that know where people will sit before they actually get on the aircraft. That's all I'm trying to point out here.

People post about it so often because they normally fly the legacy airlines and have no idea how SW works. Then, they complain about the system. But, they sure do like the price of the offered fares and the fact that they can check two bags for free. It's new to them, they ask questions.
Yes. I agree with that. So, essentially you agree that it's not as simple as your presenting otherwise people wouldn't need to ask so many questions about it.

Well, then you're lucky. I know that when I fly Delta, and book as early as I can in order to get the flights I want, they make a change at least three times before I actually fly.
Yes, this happens. Airtran always emails me, even when it's a 5 minute change, and if I don't like it can change for free (or cancel I think). USAirways, same thing, they alert me. I don't know who else does this



Seriously, it would seem that you don't like SW.
I don't like the boarding procedures. I've stated that, beyond that factor, they would be perfect.

And that's fine. This is America. You get to choose what airline you use. But, really?? With the numbers of people that fly with SW, they must be doing something right.
Yes, they have a lot of options for flights, decent cost (not always the best), free bags and free changes. They fly a lot to a lot of places, which explains their numbers, but doesn't mean their boarding is good or bad.

But for someone to come along and try to make it appear that SW is the worst thing since bubonic plague???
The bubonic plague?? I said they were perfect. Perfect, except for their boarding process.

Sorry, that's not fair.
It's not fair to discuss what happens compared to other airlines, even while saying they are the perfect airline except for that?

It's always ok to give the other side of the coin so to speak. But, as you said, your experiences are different than mine, but that doesn't mean my experiences or feelings are invalid.
I completely agree. Who said they weren't?

Man.....just trying to give a fair and concise view of SW and it's boarding proceedures. Cut a girl some slack here

Me too. Why are you implying that I'm not giving you that opportunity? I'm pointing out legitimate and obvious differences and flaws in their system, while also questioning why it exists to begin with. Could I also have slack?

 

[Minnesota!]

I got the CC, too...for somewhere that isn't WI.

Don't blame ya! You see one lake/deer/tree/snowflake...you have seen them all

I want to take my "free" trip somewhere that has sun, beaches (that can be used year round!), etc.

 

[goofy4tink]

vacationclub....Seriously, I'm done with the quoting thing...it's getting confusing to me.
A few thoughts....yes, I still think (and that's just my opinion) that there is less crowding and angst with SW's boarding proceedure the way it is now. And as far as having to explain to people, constantly, it's purely a case of the unknown. I have to explain how to get from resort to resort constantly as well...or how Fast Passes work. Until someone has used it, the system can be confusing. Doesn't make it a bad system, just a new system.

As far as seats being reassigned, I now choose to pick my own seat, rather than count on the airline to allow me to keep the one I chose originally with them. When flying SW, I can checkin, online, as soon as I am able to. Then, when I get to the plane, I see where the empty seats are and choose accordingly. Sometimes, it's even better than haven already chosen a seat...this way I can scope out where the little kids are, or just choose a seat in front of an older person. A lot more options this way. It is my choice to no longer have to worry about my 'chosen' seat being reassigned at the last moment. Not a concern anymore. As far as being compensated for a 'lesser' seat, sometimes that has happened. When we flew DirectAir a few weeks ago, we flew as part of a special program, which allowed us to choose our seats prior to travel at no addtl cost. Of course, that program cost $50 more to begin with, but the fares more than made up for that. But, one member of our party flew the regular way...we didn't have enough of the special passes available. So, he had to pay $10 to choose his seat so he could sit with us. But, upon arrival at the airport, we found that our seats had been 'given' to someone else...even though it was more than 2 hrs to flight time!!! I did complain, and we were given exit row seats..which was nice since there is a lot more legroom. BUT, I also emailed them to let them know that we had paid for the seat and weren't given it. My account was credited with that $10. But, I don't feel that I should have to track down these people to get what is due me.
Jetblue changed their aircraft so the seating changed.....I ended up much further back in the plane than I like...they did nothing about it. And one time I had paid for extra legroom and the flight was changed and they lumped two flights together...I ended up just behind the wing...again, too far back for me and less leg room. My fault that I didn't follow up on it and get a refund. And with Delta, they are forever changing seats. They once took my dd and I, on the same itinerary, and put us on different ends of the plane..yeah, I was happy about that one.

I never said we couldn't have a discussion about SW's boarding proceedure. What I did say was that it wasn't fair to make it sound like SW's proceedure was the worst thing since the bubonic plague. It isn't. There is a learning curve. For crying out loud, there is a learning curve to figuring out when to checkin with SW as well. Or a learing curve to figuring out how to get to DME from your gate. Doesn't mean it's bad...you just have to figure it out.

As I said, the vast majority of people that fly SW have no issue with the boarding proceedure. You do...and that's your right. And it's your right to come here and tell us how you feel about it. But it is also within our rights to offer up the way we see it as opposed to the way you see it. We are free to disagree...and obviously we do. I think the boarding policy works just fine. Others don't. That's cool.

 

[vacationclub]

vacationclub....Seriously, I'm done with the quoting thing...it's getting confusing to me.

Ok, Serirously....(we weren't serious before apparently) This will be very difficult without quoting since that's how you address multiple thoughts or statements so you know what I'm responding to....but if you prefer it this way....here goes.

Disagree about less angst. They create more angst....you don't know where you will sit....you are nervous too many people will take seats if your number is high or you're delayed....you must get to computer 24 hours ahead if you don't pay $20 per person per RT.
Airtran, USair, Jetblue. No Angst...just buy ticket, show up, sit in seats together that you know are there waiting for you and the rest of your party.


Seat reassigns:
You didn't really describe anything that would make it seem like picking your seat ahead of time is really not an advantage because they just change it anyway. Yes, you don't have to worry about losing something you never had. I guess that's like saying I don't have to worry about being downgraded from First class to coach if I never had first class to begin with. I guess I don't have to worry about crashing my BMW if I don't own one.

I do, however, agree that the one single advantage of open seating is that you can, if you're quick, and there's room, make a last second adjustment to avoid what you think may be a bad situation like crying babies, etc, however that's a complete shot in the dark. I've moved on SW after sitting and couple with a baby sat across. I quickly moved back several rows. But, some loud first time flyers (who apparently don't get out much) sat there after I settled in...the baby never made a noise. So, it's tough to say there much advantage there....but it is there. Your situation with getting more legroom seems like an upgrade, not a bad thing. Plus, because you took it even further, you got all your money back. Still a good thing.


What you might call the bubonic plague, I call listing the exact nuances and negatives of the procedure. If it sounds like it sucks, um, maybe it sucks. I'm not comparing it to anything because there is nothing to compare it to....no airline does this. Buses do this. Ok, I guess I compared it to a bus.

I'm not complaining about a learning curve. Never even mentioned it. I'm complaining about the seating procedure.

Just curious, how do you know that the "vast majority" has no problem with it? Has there ever been a poll to determine that? People pay high prices for gas everyday, doesn't mean that nobody has a problem with it....they just have no choice. If I need to get to Chicago cheaply, I have no choice but to fly SW. Doesn't mean I don't have a problem with their seating. Almost every SW trip I take I overhear people asking about it, nervous about it, complaining about it, discussing it, or worse, getting caught in it...the dreaded C group destined to walk up and down the isle, separated from their family. Guess they didn't get the learning curve. They did get some angst though.

But it is also within our rights to offer up the way we see it as opposed to the way you see it.
Yes, of course it is. Why do you keep going back to that subject as if I'm saying you don't have the right to speak? This is twice you've implied that I'm restricting your opportunity to speak. I'm simply countering your points. If I happen to be persistent about responding to you point by point, it doesn't mean I'm saying you can't speak. Speak away....just expect rebuttal if it deserves it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Ok, Serirously....(we weren't serious before apparently) This will be very difficult without quoting since that's how you address multiple thoughts or statements so you know what I'm responding to....but if you prefer it this way....here goes.

Disagree about less angst. They create more angst....you don't know where you will sit....you are nervous too many people will take seats if your number is high or you're delayed....you must get to computer 24 hours ahead if you don't pay $20 per person per RT.
Airtran, USair, Jetblue. No Angst...just buy ticket, show up, sit in seats together that you know are there waiting for you and the rest of your party.


Seat reassigns:
You didn't really describe anything that would make it seem like picking your seat ahead of time is really not an advantage because they just change it anyway. Yes, you don't have to worry about losing something you never had. I guess that's like saying I don't have to worry about being downgraded from First class to coach if I never had first class to begin with. I guess I don't have to worry about crashing my BMW if I don't own one.

I do, however, agree that the one single advantage of open seating is that you can, if you're quick, and there's room, make a last second adjustment to avoid what you think may be a bad situation like crying babies, etc, however that's a complete shot in the dark. I've moved on SW after sitting and couple with a baby sat across. I quickly moved back several rows. But, some loud first time flyers (who apparently don't get out much) sat there after I settled in...the baby never made a noise. So, it's tough to say there much advantage there....but it is there. Your situation with getting more legroom seems like an upgrade, not a bad thing. Plus, because you took it even further, you got all your money back. Still a good thing.


What you might call the bubonic plague, I call listing the exact nuances and negatives of the procedure. If it sounds like it sucks, um, maybe it sucks. I'm not comparing it to anything because there is nothing to compare it to....no airline does this. Buses do this. Ok, I guess I compared it to a bus.

I'm not complaining about a learning curve. Never even mentioned it. I'm complaining about the seating procedure.

Just curious, how do you know that the "vast majority" has no problem with it? Has there ever been a poll to determine that? People pay high prices for gas everyday, doesn't mean that nobody has a problem with it....they just have no choice. If I need to get to Chicago cheaply, I have no choice but to fly SW. Doesn't mean I don't have a problem with their seating. Almost every SW trip I take I overhear people asking about it, nervous about it, complaining about it, discussing it, or worse, getting caught in it...the dreaded C group destined to walk up and down the isle, separated from their family. Guess they didn't get the learning curve. They did get some angst though.

But it is also within our rights to offer up the way we see it as opposed to the way you see it.
Yes, of course it is. Why do you keep going back to that subject as if I'm saying you don't have the right to speak? This is twice you've implied that I'm restricting your opportunity to speak. I'm simply countering your points. If I happen to be persistent about responding to you point by point, it doesn't mean I'm saying you can't speak. Speak away....just expect rebuttal if it deserves it.

Sorry, didn't mean to repeat myself so often. You may think rebuttal is deserved....your opinion. Go right ahead.
When I say the vast majority, I say it because that's what I see here...and have seen for years. I don't say that those who have no other choice are happy about the proceedures, but those who do have a choice, seem to choose SW... a lot.
This is never going to be resolved. You are entitled to your opinion, as am I. I say that I prefer SW's boarding proceedures to other 'assigned seating' proceedures. It doesn't bother me at all not to have a seat waiting for me. And obviously others feel the same way.
You don't...I'm sorry you have to fly on an airline that doesn't suit your preferences...and I say that with all due respect. I refuse to fly with an airline that makes me pay for every piece of checked luggage...I can only imagine how I would feel if that were the only airline available to me.

 

[vacationclub]

Sorry, didn't mean to repeat myself so often. You may think rebuttal is deserved....your opinion. Go right ahead.
When I say the vast majority, I say it because that's what I see here...and have seen for years. I don't say that those who have no other choice are happy about the proceedures, but those who do have a choice, seem to choose SW... a lot.
This is never going to be resolved. You are entitled to your opinion, as am I. I say that I prefer SW's boarding proceedures to other 'assigned seating' proceedures. It doesn't bother me at all not to have a seat waiting for me. And obviously others feel the same way.
You don't...I'm sorry you have to fly on an airline that doesn't suit your preferences...and I say that with all due respect. I refuse to fly with an airline that makes me pay for every piece of checked luggage...I can only imagine how I would feel if that were the only airline available to me.

For the most part I agree with you.

Got it about "vast majority"- it's an informal survey and purely subjective, and well, pretty much your opinion. Again, I'm just directly responding to some of your points about comparisons, so there's nothing to resolve....only to simply acknowledge (the various negatives of the process compared to positives, and those positives and negative of the other airlines procedures.)

Some may "obviously" see it the same way you do, and others will "obviously" see it my way. (Neither way is actually obvious, though. Again, completely subjective).

I would love to refuse any airline, but sometimes you must use the airline that best suits the destination, sometimes that's Southwest if available, sometimes they don't go where you want (or cost way more). I'd love not to pay for luggage too, and if the tix are cheap, and they go there, SW may get my money, even though I still think their wild west approach is pointless and potentially stressful. Overall, as I've stated repeatedly, SW is the perfect airline except for their boarding procedure that stands out from the rest of the industry, including those that are budget airlines, and those that don't charge for a bag.

 

[jseuss]

Air Canada- Sunwing- Cathay Pacific are three off the top of my head that have moved me or my family. Then its up to me to deal with it either at the airport whem we arrive or over the phone when i get home. If flight attendant does not make a note of this it is very hard to get money back

 

[vacationclub]

Air Canada- Sunwing- Cathay Pacific are three off the top of my head that have moved me or my family. Then its up to me to deal with it either at the airport whem we arrive or over the phone when i get home. If flight attendant does not make a note of this it is very hard to get money back

Thank you for posting this. Just curious, when they moved you, did they move you to a similar set of seats, say from window/middle in row 21 to window/middle in row 8? Or were you travelling alone? If so, did you go from say an isle seat to another isle seat?

My only concern for paying for seat assignment ahead of time is either A: to insure two of us sit together or B: to insure we sit together on the left side of the isle on Airtran where they may have 2 seats and if on the right side against the window and middle, or C: to insure that I (if travelling alone) am not stuck in a middle seat. (non of these can be absolutely guaranteed on SW, even with EBCI). If I get moved at the last minute, as long as I'm still meeting those requirements, I don't really care if I'm in row 14 instead of 16 or 5 or whatever. Ultimately I just took whatever row was open to begin with, so if I end up in a different one that's fine as long as A, B or C is still met. If it's not, they will get an earfull.....but they've never done that. My gut tells me that if they do move passengers for some reason they will make it as much a parallel move as possible.