Just got SW tickets for $54 each way!!! But we've never flown SW before

[TruBlu]

What are our chances of getting to sit together? Or at least getting two groups of two seats together?

Any tips for a SW newbie?

 

[disneyfreakmike]

The seats are unassigned on SW, but you will board in 3 groups (A,B,C). A goes first,etc. You can print out boarding passes 24 hours in advance of your flight online. I would reccomend doing that, so you can be sure to be in the A group. Even then, i've flown in the B group before and never had a problem sitting with the whole family. Hope that helps, and have fun!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Make sure you do online check-in at exactly the 24hr. mark -- that will place you in the "A" group for boarding. Then get to the airport early enough to wait in the "A" line. You shouldn't have a problem. Also, if there are any small children in your party you will be allowed to preboard. For your return trip, do the same thing. Just about any resort or guest services location will allow you to use their computer for online check-in.

 

[zurgswife]

What are our chances of getting to sit together? Or at least getting two groups of two seats together?

Any tips for a SW newbie?

I've flown SW many times with my family of 6. I get my boarding pass 24 hrs in advance and 98% of the time I get an A and we have never had any problems sitting together.

 

[DonnaL]

Like zurgswife, we have flown SW many times with family of six and never had a problem getting seats together. Sometimes if the flight originated elsewhere and there are passengers onboard already you may find you won't get one row across (3 and 3) but, you shouldn't have a problem getting at least two together and all within a row or two of one another. We fly from PHL and don't usually have that happen since the flight we usually take originates in PHL. Just try to check in online at 24 hrs and with A passes you shouldn't have a problem. As another poster above also said, if you have small children (I think it's under 4, not sure) you should be able to preboard. However, keep in mind if there are a lot of preboarders on a flight SW will limit preboarding to the small child, parents and slightly older siblings, not extended family (i.e. grandparents, aunts, uncles, older cousins, etc.) They also have been known in the past to suspend preboarding on flights especially if it appears practically everyone on the flight is eligible for preboard due to small children or disability. You will love SW I'm sure. IMO they're the best in the industry.

 

[cmwade77]

Be prepared if you are over 150 pounds to pay for a full price extra ticket (not the price you paid, but what it would be if there were a seat available when you show up).

 

[DonnaL]

cmwade77, don't know what kind of experience you had, but, my DH is 6'1" and 275 lbs. (he's a big guy) and never has had to pay extra for a seat on SW and we fly several times a year. No one has ever even suggested it and he certainly doesn't take up additional seat space.

 

[TruBlu]

Be prepared if you are over 150 pounds to pay for a full price extra ticket (not the price you paid, but what it would be if there were a seat available when you show up).

Really??? Why don't they tell you that when you buy the ticket. DH and I are both over 150 lbs. Will we both need 2 tickets each?


Since our kids are only 50 and 70 lbs, will they take an average of the entire family ???

 

[Donna2105]

Be prepared if you are over 150 pounds to pay for a full price extra ticket (not the price you paid, but what it would be if there were a seat available when you show up).

What

 

[ottawamom]

Be prepared if you are over 150 pounds to pay for a full price extra ticket (not the price you paid, but what it would be if there were a seat available when you show up).

I have no idea what you are talking about. A little more background information please. I feel as if I have missed a few posts along the way.

 

[cmwade77]

Really??? Why don't they tell you that when you buy the ticket. DH and I are both over 150 lbs. Will we both need 2 tickets each?


Since our kids are only 50 and 70 lbs, will they take an average of the entire family ???

I know we questioned it too, but they showed us in the fine print about it and no they won't take it off, it's a shame as they are really an inexpensive airline to fly with otherwise.

Ok, I found the link to the issue here they claim that as long as you can put the Arm Rest Down (which both my Wife & I can) they will not charge for an extra seat, but they do with us anyway, why on earth would this be? We never have this issue with any other airline, so really this seems quite rude of them to me.

 

[TruBlu]

I just started a new thread with the info. I found on the SW website. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1420002

They state that it isn't based on weight, so I don't understand how they could enforce that! AND how do they know how much you weigh? Do they make you step up onto the thing that weighs your luggage? I would be very upset!

 

[cmwade77]

They CLAIM it is based on lowering the Arm Rest, but then they also claim that other Airlines do the same thing, which they do not, at least I have never had this issue. This is flat out discrimination and we won't fly Southwest, I would love to see everyone boycott them over this issue, but I know that will never happen.

 

[TruBlu]

They CLAIM it is based on lowering the Arm Rest, but then they also claim that other Airlines do the same thing, which they do not, at least I have never had this issue. This is flat out discrimination and we won't fly Southwest, I would love to see everyone boycott them over this issue, but I know that will never happen.

Do you think it would help to print out a copy of the policy and have it with us when we check-in? DH and I have no problem lowering the armrest! We will also have small children sitting next to us.

 

[zurgswife]

Trublu I sent you a PM....

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Be prepared if you are over 150 pounds to pay for a full price extra ticket (not the price you paid, but what it would be if there were a seat available when you show up).

This is not true - this applies to morbidly obese people - I would say over 290. ... Not to be insulting, but those seats are only 17 inches across.

Also, SW will sell you the seat at the cheap price you paid if you buy an advance ticket. If you have a full fare ticket, the price would be a childs fare. Certainly not what you implied. If the flight is not full, you will receive a refund -which means you may benefit from the extra seat and NOT end up paying for it. How could an airline be more fair?

And this has been a policy for more than 25 years and yes it does exist on other airlines. If you have ever travelled in a middle seat between very large people, you would see why this is an issue. It is uncomfortable to have someone infringe on my space.

 

[DonnaL]

chicagodisneyfan, if you would look at my above post.....as I said my husband is 6'1" and 275 lbs and it has never even been suggested to him that he need an extra seat on SW, which we fly exclusively, so, I think you're right on when you say upwards of 290 or maybe even a bit more. Also, keep in mind someone who is slightly over 5' tall and maybe tips the scale at 225 is going to take up more seat width than someone who is over 6' at 275, so, while I agree the airline can't truly set a weight (maybe it should be a width???) I don't know what the answer is, but, for someone to make the statement the weight limit is 150 lbs is absolutely absurd.

 

[Reminiscing_Cody]

Am I the only one that didn't miss the (bitter?) sarcasm in the 150lb comment?

 

[goofy4tink]

Several things here people....first of all, 150 lbs is ridiculous. Either it was posted in error or the poster has a strange sense of humor. Secondly, I would imagine that those who may be asked to buy another seat based on their size are probably aware of the policies. My ds is on the large side....6' and about 280 and has yet to have to buy another seat when he flies.
So....lets not start with any of that 'infringing on my space' nonsense. If someone has an issue with their seatmate on a flight, then they should take it up with a flight attendant....not here on the DIS boards. Try to keep things put nicely or this thread is dead.

 

[cmwade77]

Several things here people....first of all, 150 lbs is ridiculous. Either it was posted in error or the poster has a strange sense of humor. Secondly, I would imagine that those who may be asked to buy another seat based on their size are probably aware of the policies. My ds is on the large side....6' and about 280 and has yet to have to buy another seat when he flies.
So....lets not start with any of that 'infringing on my space' nonsense. If someone has an issue with their seatmate on a flight, then they should take it up with a flight attendant....not here on the DIS boards. Try to keep things put nicely or this thread is dead.

I was being nice, I was trying to give a heads up on this, they always try to charge us (I am 6'2" tall and I honestly don't know my weight, but I know that I can put the Arm Rest down)

They also always charge my wife, yes she is a bit bigger but can still put the arm rest down.

150 lbs is the limit that the person working the counter said they use, I can't help that.