Need a refresher on SW boarding

[NYEmomma]

It's been about 7 or 8 years since I've flown SW and this will be our first time flying with children. Could you give me a brief rundown of how boarding works with SW and my best strategy to get us all near one another? We're a family of 7 -- two parents, two grandparents, 6yo and 2yo twins. Our plan is to do grandparents + 6yo in a row of 3 and then me with a twin in a row of 2 & DH with a twin in a row of 2.

 

[stormer]

You still have to go online 24 hours before and check in to get your boarding number. There are three boarding groups A, B, and C. I think there are about 60 people in each group. The earlier you check in the better boarding position you get. Children 4 and under are allowed to board between the A and B group. They usually let one adult board with each child so that could work for parents and twins. You could then let grandparents board with 6 year old in the spot they get when checking in. SW also offers Early Bird Check in. It costs 12.50 per person each way. If you are worried, you can always do that for grandparents and 6 year old. If you only care about those three being together and don't care if they are near you, you probably don't need EBCI.

 

[NYEmomma]

You still have to go online 24 hours before and check in to get your boarding number. There are three boarding groups A, B, and C. I think there are about 60 people in each group. The earlier you check in the better boarding position you get. Children 4 and under are allowed to board between the A and B group. They usually let one adult board with each child so that could work for parents and twins. You could then let grandparents board with 6 year old in the spot they get when checking in. SW also offers Early Bird Check in. It costs 12.50 per person each way. If you are worried, you can always do that for grandparents and 6 year old. If you only care about those three being together and don't care if they are near you, you probably don't need EBCI.

Exactly 24 hours before our flight, right? Thanks for the info!

I'm not terribly concerned about my parents & oldest being physically close to us... I just need the 3 of them sitting together. In fact, it might be a bit better if they're further away because I've got a lot of anxiety over flying (got Xanax for this trip, yay!) and my parents just don't "get it", so it tends to stress me out a little bit when I'm struggling with my anxiety and they're nearby to witness it.

 

[stormer]

Yes, exactly 24 hours before. Coming home if you are in the park at your 24 hour mark you can check in on your phone and then print the boarding pass at the airport.

 

[tjmw2727]

Southwest seating is 3/aisle/3 so some of you will be sharing a row with another passenger.

As PP's have said for 12.50 per person you can purchase Early Bird Check In (EBCI) and SWA will check you in automatically at T36, or you can be at the computer at T24 to check yourself in. Each person will be assigned a boarding letter A, B or C and a number 1-60. If you get A just board in your position, if you get B or C your immediate family can use family boarding (including the 6yo) as you have children under 4, this happens after the A group. Grandparents will be expected to board in their boarding positions and will not be able to use family boarding.

We usually take our chances on the outbound and use EBCI for the return so I don't have to worry about checking in at t24 while on vacation. Although my kids are older so we don't mind being separated - if they were young I would purchase the EBCI both ways to be sure we could sit together.

SWA website has details - https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-experience/boarding-your-flight/index.html

 

[coastgirl]

So I was wondering if many people are using the EBCI, to the extent where it's harder to get a decent spot? It's been a while for us too since the last time we were on SW. We are travelling with the dog this time, and I guess that doesn't get us any favours?

 

[Dacky619]

So I was wondering if many people are using the EBCI, to the extent where it's harder to get a decent spot? It's been a while for us too since the last time we were on SW. We are travelling with the dog this time, and I guess that doesn't get us any favours?

It just depend on what you mean by decent. We have used EBCI and still ended up as late as the mid B boarding group. We didn't have a problem finding seats together, but they were further back on the plane then we had hoped for.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would actually give one of the twins to the grandparents! That way they should be able to board in the family boarding group as well.

Does buying EBCI get you a 'decent' seat? Depends on what you consider decent. Some would say that a decent seat is in the first 5 rows. Another person might say it's a window seat, another an aisle seat. I usually don't buy EBCI for my flight down to Florida, but I do buy it for my flight home. Why? I hate worrying about being aware that it's that 24 hr window! Yes, I can checkin on my phone or at guest services. But buying EBCI allows me to forget about it!

 

[sharona]

I love EBCI as it's not always possible for me to check in at T-24 if I'm at work or busy with other commitments. When I travel with my family we use it to ensure we can get seats together. I don't want my 12 yo DD sitting next to some strange guy on the plane with me 5 aisles away. When it's just me and I know I will definitely be able to check in exactly at T-24 and it's a short flight then I sometimes skip it. If it's longer than a 3 hour flight EBCI is a must for me as I want my left side aisle seat near the front.

If I were the OP, I would get the EBCI for the grandparents and the 6 year old to ensure they can get a row of 3. Well worth the small cost to eliminate the stress of worrying about that. Maybe it's just me but the uncertainty of that would stress me out. Based on the family boarding policy, it doesn't seem to be needed for the parents and twins.

Also, since OP is asking about the boarding process, you may not get sequential boarding numbers for your family. When it's just DD and me, what we do is stand together at the spot for whoever has the highest number, leaving our earlier spot open so we are not cutting in front of anyone who has a boarding number in between.

 

[NYEmomma]

I would actually give one of the twins to the grandparents! That way they should be able to board in the family boarding group as well.

Does buying EBCI get you a 'decent' seat? Depends on what you consider decent. Some would say that a decent seat is in the first 5 rows. Another person might say it's a window seat, another an aisle seat. I usually don't buy EBCI for my flight down to Florida, but I do buy it for my flight home. Why? I hate worrying about being aware that it's that 24 hr window! Yes, I can checkin on my phone or at guest services. But buying EBCI allows me to forget about it!

I was actually just thinking of that this morning (and thinking I was pretty darn smart for coming up with it, lol)... DH & I take my 6yo and one of the twins and then give the other twin to my parents to allow them to board. Because if we don't, we'll be shoving my oldest into an aisle all by herself and instructing her to look either properly sick or horribly unbehaved to every person that boards until my parents get on.

DH just did the 24 hour check in... the 7 of us range between B3 and B21. I have no clue whether that's "good" or not.

 

[DVC-Don]

Southwest has a "boarding school" post on YouTube. Search for "Southwest Boarding School there and you'll find it.

 

[PrincesCJM]

Those are pretty good numbers (especially if you didn't buy EBCI). You all should be able to be in the same vicinity, if that's what you want. I anticipate your plan will work with those numbers.

 

[DVC-Don]

I found the link at Southwest: https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-experience/boarding-your-flight/index.html

 

[NYEmomma]

One more quick question... I know they serve their pop in those little plastic cups, but what about hot drinks? I'm bringing a couple tea bags with me for some chamomile & peppermint tea (did I mention I was a nervous flier??? LOL) but am nervous about having an open container with hot liquid next to my 2yo. If they do serve it with no lid, would it be possible for me to bring an empty lidded thermos and ask them to just fill it with hot water?

 

[goofy4tink]

Those are decent numbers. You could actually do family boarding with your kids. Then give the B3 and next closest boarding pass to your parents. It should be very doable for them to get a an empty row. As already noted, seating is rows of three. Do your twins have their own seats? If they are in car seats, I believe the car seats have to go in the window seat. I would almost try for 2 full rows....one twin in the window, parent in the middle, grandparent on aisle. 2nd row....twin in window seat, parent in middle, 6 y/o in aisle. That puts one grandparent sitting alone.....may be very happy about that!!!!

Yes, you should be able to bring a thermos with you.

 

[stormer]

SW s very inconsistent in their procedures. Just be prepared for the chance they may not let grandparents do family boarding. I have seen many times where they say it is only immediate family and refuse grandparents and Once I also saw them let a family of 17 with aunts, uncles, and grandparents do family boarding. One thing about SW us you never know what they will do!