Please help clarify southwest ebci for me!

[mcd531]

I don't fly often. Please tell me if this sounds right regarding Southwest and Early Bird Check In. It's me, dh, and dd(8).

Our flight leaves at 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday and is direct to MCO. I'm thinking we don't need ebci for this because the plane will not already have passengers.

Our return flight leaves MCO at 2:20 p.m. the next Saturday. This is also non-stop. I'm thinking we should get ebci for our return flight so I don't have to worry about it while at WDW and because the flight out may be more crowded.

Do you agree? No ebci for the way to MCO, but yes for ebci on return flight?

Thanks!!!

 

[DaretoDis]

I think you should be ok on your way down. Just check in at 24 hours ahead of departure time.

Also, direct and nonstop are not the same thing.

 

[kristenrice]

This is exactly how we are doing it too! 6:50am flight on a Sunday to MCO and a 1:55pm return. I bought EBCI for the return only, simply because I just don't want to have to worry about it.

 

[mcd531]

Thanks! You're right, I don't know the difference between direct and non-stop. I just know that we get on one plane, fly for 2 hours, then land in Orlando!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thanks! You're right, I don't know the difference between direct and non-stop. I just know that we get on one plane, fly for 2 hours, then land in Orlando!

A direct flight has one or more stops. You may or may not have to change planes. You are on a nonstop flight, which does not have any stops.

 

[DaretoDis]

A direct flight has one or more stops. You may or may not have to change planes. You are on a nonstop flight, which does not have any stops.

Not quite. A direct flight makes one or more stops, but you stay on the same plane. If you change planes, you are on a connecting flight. And nonstop is just that.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Not quite. A direct flight makes one or more stops, but you stay on the same plane. If you change planes, you are on a connecting flight. And nonstop is just that.

Not quite correct. It is a connecting flight if there is a change in the flight number. A direct flight has no change in flight numbers, but you may indeed have to change planes.

People have enough trouble with the simple difference between nonstop and direct flights; let's not make it more confusing with technicalities.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think you should ask yourself how you will handle it if you can't sit together. Is it worth the savings if you are split up? How would your 8 year old handle it?

Is your flight direct, or non-stop?

 

[Disneylover99]

Personally, I would buy EBCI going both ways if travelling with a child. It would save me a few sleepless nights wondering if I should have bought it or not.

 

[1025cruise]

I recently had a 6:50am flight on Southwest to Orlando on Sunday. I bought EBCI and received A41 and A42. The flight was full.

 

[mhf]

Southwest flies out really early so don't count on your morning flight originating in your city. You might be able to input the flight number in either SW or another program and find out if it starts in your city or not. Or you could call and ask.

We fly out of Baltimore early early and quite often the flight is coming in from Rhode Island.