just checked into flight on SW without EB

[kristenrice]

I always purchase EBCI for our return trip. There is no way I want to worry about where I will be at the 24-hour mark. I don't typically care too much about where I sit, but I don't want to be near the back of the plane and out of Orlando, a B-spot could be an issue. The middle seat doesn't particularly bother me, but I would still prefer the aisle.

We recently lost our non-stops out of Michigan so now we have layovers and plane changes. I decided to do EBCI for the trip to Orlando now too. Frankly, the extra $30/ticket is worth the piece of mind of not having to worry about remembering to check in. Sure, getting a preferred seat is nice too, but I prefer the convenience of having check in done automatically.

 

[Goldys4]

Just checked in, about 2.5 after my check in time (totally forgot!). Is B52/ B53 typically at the end of boarding period? I've not flown SW before. Do we line up according to our number, or do they call a group of numbers and you get in random line within that group? We have EBCI for the way home (we'll be on a cruise and I don't want to deal with checking in while we are at Castaway Cay!). Not a big deal if we don't sit together, it's just my hubby and me. I mean, we'd love to sit together, but I'd give up a seat to keep little ones with their parents. I'm on vacation without our kids for a reason, don't want to be a babysitter, LOL!

 

[nkereina]

Is B52/ B53 typically at the end of boarding period? I've not flown SW before. Do we line up according to our number, or do they call a group of numbers and you get in random line within that group?

If it's an empty plane and a full flight, boarding should go like this: pre-boards, A1-60, family boarding, B1-60, C1-60. So you still have 60+ people to board after you, potentially. If it's not a full flight, then you could be near the end of boarding. Similarly, if you board a plane that has carry-over passengers continuing onto the next destination, you could also be at the tail end of the boarding process.

You will line up in numerical order, according to your number. A1-60 will line up first at the designated signs. Once they begin to board, the B group can line up, and so on. You can ask the people around you their numbers so you know whether you should be in front of or behind them. In my own experience, people try to get as close to the right order as possible.

 

[Day-Day]

Southwest aircraft have from around 143 seats to 175 seats depending on the variant of the B737. There are usually some gaps in group A from what I've seen but basically, close to 120 passengers make up Groups A and B. Adding preboards and family boarding, I'd think people near the end of Group B are near the end of the line for some flights even when starting with an empty aircraft.

 

[Allison]

I recently got B20 for EBCI purchased 5 months early. That is the highest I have ever had.

 

[FreeTime]

I recently got B20 for EBCI purchased 5 months early. That is the highest I have ever had.

We have booked further out than this and gotten even worse when Orlando is involved. It depends on so many factors. I think more people are buying them for MCO. For another flight, to Denver, I purchased EBCI 60 days ago and got A35 yesterday.