How early to arrive...seats of choice on Southwest?

[DopeyRN]

I know I read this on the old boards but I don't remember...how soon before a flight do you need to arrive to get seats of choice on Southwest? (to get in the first 30 or 60).

 

[TravelSheryl]

Southwest begins distributing board passes at the gate 1 hr. before departure. The line often begins forming about 10-15 minutes before that time, so you should be at the gate 1 hr. and 15 minutes before departure to get a boarding pass numbered 1-30. Being in the second boarding group is no guarantee you will get a nice selection of seats, because most planes already have passengers on board from the previous city.

If you are running late, one person can check your bags and the other person can go straight to the gate with his own ticket or confirmation number of you have an e-ticket. As long as at least one person gets a boarding pass numbered 1-30, you can then save seats for the remainder of your party.

 

[DopeyRN]

Thanks Sheryl...I simply could not remember...

 

[Luv2Roam]

If you are traveling with small children you can get first boarding.
(Otherwise it is as stated above.)

 

[Lewisc]

Keep in mind if your flight originates from another city some of the seats are already taken. On flights to FL a lot of people pre-board (families with infants or grandparents in wheelchairs). SW let's the entire family pre-board if only one member qualifies. Remember SW boards by group (1-30) not by number. If you are concered about where your seat is, wait in the boarding line as soon as you get your card.

 

[DopeyRN]

Thanks again ya'll...we are flying to DC and the flight is no where near booked, so I may be worrying for nothing...

 

[ripleysmom]

DopeyRN, I just flew SWA and I would get there at least an hour and a half earlier than the flight. The line I was on started to form a half hour before the cards were passed out.

But even if you get a card in the 31-60 range if you go and wait by the numbered boarding area you can still be the first one on within the boarding group. In other words even with a number 60 boarding card, you can be the first one on in the 31-60 boarding group if you are first in line for that group which still has a pretty good seat selection available.

For myself, I don't think I would fly SWA with my kids. By myself yes, but waiting around an airport with children can be trying at best.

 

[TravelSheryl]

ripleysmom, I'm curious where you were flying to that the line began forming that early. Typically, that would only be the case on flights to Orlando and Las Vegas, unless it's a peak travel day.

That would be very unusual on a flight from New Orleans to Baltimore.

 

[CarolA]

I have a problem with the suggestion that if you are not in the first boarding group you should get in line to board right away. I HATE having to climb over people with boarding pass 99 that are standing directly in front of the door! At least get out of the way of the traffic flow. Also, if you don't get there early enough to get one of the first 60 or so boarding passes make sure your carry on will fit beneath the seat. SW is agressive on their on time departures and once the Flight Attendants tell the gate that overhead is full, they take it away and check it. (They don't let you get on and verify or try to shove it in someplace!)

 

[Lewisc]

Carol-- In most airports SW has separate lines set up for 1-30, 31-60, 61 and above so you're not getting in anyones way if you get in line early.

 

[mrsstats]

From Islip on Long Island, Southwest did not have separate lines for each group. And we formed the line about 1 1/2 hours before they gave out the tickets. Given a choice, I would rather have assigned seating. I don't like the scramble for seats and the fact that they allow entire families to board before others (I don't mean parents with the little kids, but your entire group, grandparents etc) JMO but no assigned seating should just be that.

 

[Lewisc]

Islip had the separate lines (4/19) has does MCO. I agree they allow too many people to pre-board. I think they should have the pre-boards use the last rows. That will speed up boarding.

 

[pbhunt]

On Southwest, you generally are trading comfort and amenities for a discounted price. DH and I fly with them alot together and seperately. Lewisc, I know you travel alot, but most of their gates DON'T have the 1-30, 30-60 signs, that would make boarding so much easier. You kind of have to prepare yourself for the fact that it's a cattle call, and you may not be able to sit with the other members of your party. As someone else posted, on long flights, I probably wouldn't recommend SW for families with young children either.

 

[TravelSheryl]

Southwest does not have separate lines at the majority of airports it uses.

Southwest did require pre-boards to sit in the back half of the plane a couple of years ago for a several month period. There was so much ill will caused, that they discontinued doing so.

 

[TSI_Fan]

I was always told to get to the airport a good 1-2 hours before the flight leaves. Since I am a single flyer, this is not a problem, plus since I carry my bag (or two) on, I avoid having to check baggage. So I got there a good hour and a half early. when they annouced check in for my flight, I got in line asap and got a first boarding pass.
NOW, just because you have a first boarding pass doesn't mean you can always get on that quickly. when they announce boarding for your ticket, get your butt to the gate ASAP! so you have to wait for everyone else..it means you get your pick of seats! I got a window seat on my flight from Tampa to Raleigh, and on the flight back by following this.

Good luck!