Post all SW questions concerns, etc. here...

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That seems unusual. I've always been in A16-30 with Anytime and I fly Southwest often. That's exactly why I pay the extra for Anytime. I thought the number sold was limited. I'm really curious about what happened to cause this.

And my husband is rarely if ever A16 with A-list and flies frequently for work. Typically lows to mids 20s but 30s and 40s also occur. The lowest I've ever gotten was A19 (A-list perk tied to my boarding position). Just using my boarding screenshots where my husband is A-list so I get checked in with him In 2024 I've had A27,A25,A30. Last year A19, A20, A40, A34, A28, A29. So if you're always getting A16-A30 with just Anytime Fare you're doing extremely well IMO.

It's not about limited amount sold. EBCI SWA advised they would limit on certain flights how many were available but aside from that "limited" isn't really tied to fare class. The only fare class that has limited is Business Select because it's strictly for A1-A15 boarding positions and thus has to be limited in the amount available per flight.

 

[Lsdolphin]

The ONE time I had to move was on as assigned seat airline to make way for a last-to-load father and his 4 yr old son. I was targeted because I was sitting next to my friend headed on a girls’ trip. We hadn’t seen each other for a long time and I was looking forward to visiting on the plane. The flight attendant was clear we were not leaving the runway until I moved. I went from my row 4 seat to mid plane, far away from my friend.

WoW usually they ask for a volunteer and if no one volunteers they start offering a bribe like a voucher for a free flight….I’ve never heard of them forcing a passenger especially one with an assigned seat to move.

 

[LoveToDisney]

WoW usually they ask for a volunteer and if no one volunteers they start offering a bribe like a voucher for a free flight….I’ve never heard of them forcing a passenger especially one with an assigned seat to move.

Yep, they asked for volunteers and when that didn’t work, they pressured me. Said the plane wasn’t moving until I did. This was many years ago. BTW, the airline no longer exists.

 

[disneylover81]

That seems unusual. I've always been in A16-30 with Anytime and I fly Southwest often. That's exactly why I pay the extra for Anytime. I thought the number sold was limited. I'm really curious about what happened to cause this.

We have always been the same position with Anytime, which is also why I always spend the extra money/points for it.

Just seems like there might be a lot of people with status on your flight unfortunately.
Anyone with A list status & everyone on their reservation got checked in before you. And if anyone who was in front of you in the check in process traveling with a companion pass holder, the companion gets checked in with them too. Did you book on opening day?

Maybe that was why..and we don’t have A-List status. DH is my companion. We booked in early February, but I can’t remember if it was opening day or not. I’ve booked last minute Anytime and gotten better position than that though. It just had me baffled.

It's always about each flight. My husband is A-list (so higher than Anytime) and recently got A50. That's not the norm for him but combination of the flight time and destination. Normally for him he flies early in the morning and this one was mid-morning.

Wow, that’s wild that he got A50! I have wondered if more and more people have been purchasing Anytime since WGA doesn’t ever seem to give a good boarding position anymore. When we purchased our tickets I told my son, we needed to get BS, but he didn’t want to spend the extra money. After this flight, he wished he’d listened to me. We were on the first flight out to HNL from BNA. It was a completely full flight on both legs, the layover was in LAS, which was where our worst boarding positions were.

On another note, it was our first time at LAS… that’s one long airport when you get off at a gate in C and have to go all the way down to gate B for your next flight. We barely had time to get there. Luckily on the way home, we got dropped off at C8 and boarded right back onto C8 again. We had to deboard and reboard the same plane instantly, which was kinda stupid.

 

[focusondisney]

Wow, that’s wild that he got A50! I have wondered if more and more people have been purchasing Anytime since WGA doesn’t ever seem to give a good boarding position anymore. When we purchased our tickets I told my son, we needed to get BS, but he didn’t want to spend the extra money. After this flight, he wished he’d listened to me. We were on the first flight out to HNL from BNA. It was a completely full flight on both legs, the layover was in LAS, which was where our worst boarding positions were.

So your flight in Las was connecting? That explains more. You were checked in 36 hours prior to your first flight, in Honolulu if I read it right? Anyone who had Las Vegas as their starting point, or any other city in an earlier time zone were checked in before you. So all the other factors & checked in after all those people too.

 

[Lsdolphin]

So just got an email for a special offer says 40% off base fares using code SAVEWOW…but when I checked the fares were same as I booked without code weeks ago. BWI to MCO offer says for “Select flights” so I guess Orlando isn’t selected… flights 10/24/2025 to 1/31/2025

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So just got an email for a special offer says 40% off base fares using code SAVEWOW…but when I checked the fares were same as I booked without code weeks ago. BWI to MCO offer says for “Select flights” so I guess Orlando isn’t selected… flights 10/24/2025 to 1/31/2025

Sales apply to certain routes, certain days of the week, certain times of day, certain days. Pretty standard here.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Wow, that’s wild that he got A50! I have wondered if more and more people have been purchasing Anytime since WGA doesn’t ever seem to give a good boarding position anymore. When we purchased our tickets I told my son, we needed to get BS, but he didn’t want to spend the extra money. After this flight, he wished he’d listened to me. We were on the first flight out to HNL from BNA. It was a completely full flight on both legs, the layover was in LAS, which was where our worst boarding positions were.

On another note, it was our first time at LAS… that’s one long airport when you get off at a gate in C and have to go all the way down to gate B for your next flight. We barely had time to get there. Luckily on the way home, we got dropped off at C8 and boarded right back onto C8 again. We had to deboard and reboard the same plane instantly, which was kinda stupid.

FWIW Vegas is an airport that I've had a love/hate with for years. In 2021 for example (before A-list check in at 36 hours was applied to others on the reservation) I got B60 checking in right at 24 hours on the dot which is the worst I've had except for a glitch of getting in the C's.

Looking at our trip to Vegas in September 2023 I got A26 on the way there and A31 on the way home and this was with the A-list benefit applying to me. And in 2022 (which also was with A-list benefit applying to me) it was A28. These were non-stop flights too and usually first flight out and last flight out back home.

And yeah that walk can be long. Actually it was last year's flight that I believe they held the plane on the flight next to us in the gate area (also a SWA) so that passengers could get from the C and B areas. As far as deplaning and reboarding if there is a crew switch they have to do that, basically if they consider that flight an end terminated flight you do have to do that process. When you're on a flight that has no plane change because it's a continuation of that flight you don't have to get off unless you want to.

 

[disneylover81]

So your flight in Las was connecting? That explains more. You were checked in 36 hours prior to your first flight, in Honolulu if I read it right? Anyone who had Las Vegas as their starting point, or any other city in an earlier time zone were checked in before you. So all the other factors & checked in after all those people too.

Oh wow, I see what you mean, I never even knew that was how it would work with check-in on different time zones. I just always thought it was from SWA's official time. Yes, we went from BNA (Nashville) to a connecting flight at LAS, then to HNL. And coming back was HNL to LAS back to BNA.

FWIW Vegas is an airport that I've had a love/hate with for years. In 2021 for example (before A-list check in at 36 hours was applied to others on the reservation) I got B60 checking in right at 24 hours on the dot which is the worst I've had except for a glitch of getting in the C's.

Looking at our trip to Vegas in September 2023 I got A26 on the way there and A31 on the way home and this was with the A-list benefit applying to me. And in 2022 (which also was with A-list benefit applying to me) it was A28. These were non-stop flights too and usually first flight out and last flight out back home.

And yeah that walk can be long. Actually it was last year's flight that I believe they held the plane on the flight next to us in the gate area (also a SWA) so that passengers could get from the C and B areas. As far as deplaning and reboarding if there is a crew switch they have to do that, basically if they consider that flight an end terminated flight you do have to do that process. When you're on a flight that has no plane change because it's a continuation of that flight you don't have to get off unless you want to.

Sometimes SWA boarding positions just seem so random to me and make no sense! I have a love/hate with LAS too and have only been there this trip. I didn't say this in my last post, but on our way to Aulani, while in LAS, we got off at gate C, grabbed a sandwich and made it to our B gate and sat down to eat, only to have them announce a gate change to another B gate clear across to the other end of the airport. So by the time we actually got to sit down to eat we had less than 10 min until boarding time and I didn't want to bring my sandwich on the plane.

DH, on the other hand was in heaven at LAS because they allowed smoking inside the airport. I had previously posted about how him not being able to smoke on the very long flight was going to work out, but since he did get to smoke at LAS, we survived. Also, when I found out there was no smoking at Aulani or on the beach a day or two before our trip, I was concerned again, but DH didn't complain too much about having to go out onto the sidewalk by the street. We were gone for 9 days and he only smoked 4 packs, instead of 9 packs like he would have done at home.

I do want to tell what crazy thing happened to me while on our flight from BNA to LAS. We were halfway there, about 2 hours in, and I was watching a movie and I started to feel light headed and hot. So I took my headphones off and turned my phone off and was just about to tell DH what was going on, but I didn't get to because I passed out immediately. When I came to, I had him freaking out and a lot of people surrounding me trying to figure out what was going on. DH thought I died right there because he couldn't wake me up. He said my eyes were open and my fists were clenched tight and I wouldn't respond. My 25 year old son was on the flight too, and he was also traumatized. I don't know what happened to cause it, I haven't fainted in probably 15 years. As a teenager, I fainted quite often, in fact, I couldn't even use a hair dryer because I would get too hot and hit the floor. All I know was I was feeling perfectly fine, and then I wasn't. Needless to say, DH didn't sleep anymore on either flight the rest of the way to HNL. He was worried sick and kept checking on me, and there was a nurse on board who came and sat with me the rest of the way to LAS. All of the flight attendants were very good in making sure I didn't need anything also. I am sure it scared everyone, except me. It was uncomfortable to me to be the center of attention though and everyone looking at me every time I moved. I like to be in the background and not front and center. DH, I must say, was very attentive to me all week though, which was a nice change. We have been married for 22 years so sometimes I think we don't pay attention to each other like we should. I didn't have any more episodes during the week or on the way home so I guess it was just a one time thing. I do appreciate all the people on the flight that were there to help me.

 

[DebbieB]

Sales apply to certain routes, certain days of the week, certain times of day, certain days. Pretty standard here.

I finally got a sale from PIT. 12/3 dropped from $201 to $112!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Oh wow, I see what you mean, I never even knew that was how it would work with check-in on different time zones. I just always thought it was from SWA's official time. Yes, we went from BNA (Nashville) to a connecting flight at LAS, then to HNL. And coming back was HNL to LAS back to BNA.


Sometimes SWA boarding positions just seem so random to me and make no sense! I have a love/hate with LAS too and have only been there this trip. I didn't say this in my last post, but on our way to Aulani, while in LAS, we got off at gate C, grabbed a sandwich and made it to our B gate and sat down to eat, only to have them announce a gate change to another B gate clear across to the other end of the airport. So by the time we actually got to sit down to eat we had less than 10 min until boarding time and I didn't want to bring my sandwich on the plane.

DH, on the other hand was in heaven at LAS because they allowed smoking inside the airport. I had previously posted about how him not being able to smoke on the very long flight was going to work out, but since he did get to smoke at LAS, we survived. Also, when I found out there was no smoking at Aulani or on the beach a day or two before our trip, I was concerned again, but DH didn't complain too much about having to go out onto the sidewalk by the street. We were gone for 9 days and he only smoked 4 packs, instead of 9 packs like he would have done at home.

I do want to tell what crazy thing happened to me while on our flight from BNA to LAS. We were halfway there, about 2 hours in, and I was watching a movie and I started to feel light headed and hot. So I took my headphones off and turned my phone off and was just about to tell DH what was going on, but I didn't get to because I passed out immediately. When I came to, I had him freaking out and a lot of people surrounding me trying to figure out what was going on. DH thought I died right there because he couldn't wake me up. He said my eyes were open and my fists were clenched tight and I wouldn't respond. My 25 year old son was on the flight too, and he was also traumatized. I don't know what happened to cause it, I haven't fainted in probably 15 years. As a teenager, I fainted quite often, in fact, I couldn't even use a hair dryer because I would get too hot and hit the floor. All I know was I was feeling perfectly fine, and then I wasn't. Needless to say, DH didn't sleep anymore on either flight the rest of the way to HNL. He was worried sick and kept checking on me, and there was a nurse on board who came and sat with me the rest of the way to LAS. All of the flight attendants were very good in making sure I didn't need anything also. I am sure it scared everyone, except me. It was uncomfortable to me to be the center of attention though and everyone looking at me every time I moved. I like to be in the background and not front and center. DH, I must say, was very attentive to me all week though, which was a nice change. We have been married for 22 years so sometimes I think we don't pay attention to each other like we should. I didn't have any more episodes during the week or on the way home so I guess it was just a one time thing. I do appreciate all the people on the flight that were there to help me.

Oh wow! That sounds so scary! I'm glad everything was okay and that the FAs took notice Hopefully it doesn't happen again

 

[focusondisney]

I do want to tell what crazy thing happened to me while on our flight from BNA to LAS.

Oh my goodness, how scary for your family! I’m glad you were ok after & on the way home.

 

[robinb]

Hi everyone. I have a question about the best methodology to check in for 3 reservations 24-hours in advance of the flight. I booked a flight for my DH and I about 2 months ago to see my mother in law in CT. We fly next Monday. My DD25 was on the fence about joining us but decided a few weeks later. So I bought her a ticket. About a week ago, she said she wanted her BF to join us too. Ok. Now I have 3 separate reservations that need to be checked in at the same time. Any advice on how to do this efficiently?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Hi everyone. I have a question about the best methodology to check in for 3 reservations 24-hours in advance of the flight. I booked a flight for my DH and I about 2 months ago to see my mother in law in CT. We fly next Monday. My DD25 was on the fence about joining us but decided a few weeks later. So I bought her a ticket. About a week ago, she said she wanted her BF to join us too. Ok. Now I have 3 separate reservations that need to be checked in at the same time. Any advice on how to do this efficiently?

Have 3 people going at once? And/or phone, chrome, and firefox each on at the same time.


It takes a couple of clicks from entering your confirm and name to actually getting your boarding pass, including verifying that you aren't bringing banned substances onboard. In the time that you're doing that, I assume lots of other 24hrs check in folks are going to get ahead of your second and third confirms.

If you want to do it all on one device, you can go into the app BEFORE 24 hours, choose Check In, put in the first confirm with name, and click retrieve reservation. It'll tell you it's too early to check in, but then that confirm with name will appear in your recent trip searches. Repeat with confirms two and three and then you'll at least have all three confirms there on your recent list so you don't have to data enter confirm/first/last each time. You can check in one, go back, click the next one on your recent searches, check in two, click the next one on your recent searches, check in three.

 

[easyas123]

Is it imperative that everyone board at same time/in same boarding positions? If not Have everyone sign themselves in-

 

[Traveling on cc points]

I haven’t paid attention for the last couple of years if SW has been changing flights ahead of time or not.
In 2019, I could book the cheapest flight I could find within 2 weeks of my travel dates and I would always receive an email from SW that they changed my flight either slightly or dramatically and was able to switch to my desired date within 2 weeks of the original travel date.

My daughter wants to come down and visit the week after Christmas and that week is very expensive (pushing $800 round trip) but if I book a week before she wants to come and a week after she wants to go back home, the round trip price is under $200.

I realize that no one can predict what will happen with this specific flight but wondering if people are still getting emails that their flight have been changed pretty often.

 

[SirDuff]

So your flight in Las was connecting? That explains more. You were checked in 36 hours prior to your first flight, in Honolulu if I read it right? Anyone who had Las Vegas as their starting point, or any other city in an earlier time zone were checked in before you. So all the other factors & checked in after all those people too.

That doesn't make sense.

1) If you are on a connecting flight, you will be one of the first to get to check-in for the second flight, since you get to check-in for it when you check-in for your first flight which will, be definition, be earlier than the second flight. Those starting in your connection city (Las Vegas in this case) can only check-in when the time for that flight opens.

2) Check-in time is always based on the flight time in the city that the flight starts in. Doesn't matter what time you are in when you check-in.

 

[focusondisney]

That doesn't make sense.

She was coming from a later time zone, not earlier, Honolulu vs Las Vegas. So anyone in the earlier time zone was checked in before her. She wasn’t checked til in 36 hours before her flight from Honolulu. Anyone originating in Las Vegas was checked in 36 hours before that flight. If she was coming from an eastern city, she would have been checked in first.

Edit to add… I didn’t do the math or know flight times from Hi to LV. Just suggested a possibility. Used 36 hours assuming EBCI.

 

[jenmsmith]

This maybe a DP everyone was aware of, but I just noticed recently: You can now change your companion online! This makes my heart so happy not to have to call for this.

 

[SirDuff]

She was coming from a later time zone, not earlier, Honolulu vs Las Vegas. So anyone in the earlier time zone was checked in before her. She wasn’t checked til in 36 hours before her flight from Honolulu. Anyone originating in Las Vegas was checked in 36 hours before that flight. If she was coming from an eastern city, she would have been checked in first.

Edit to add… I didn’t do the math or know flight times from Hi to LV. Just suggested a possibility. Used 36 hours assuming EBCI.

No. It doesn’t matter what time zone you are in, you are checked in 36 hours (or whatever number hours) from your first flight. It’s impossible for the second flight to leave before the first flight so it is impossible for those starting on that flight to be checked in before those coming in on another flight - no matter where that first flight started. Coming from the east or coming from the west doesn’t change that.

I think what you're missing is that the timer (24 hours, 30 hours, 36 hours, whatever) is based on the local time of where the flight departs for everyone - doesn't matter where you are when you check-in. As a fairly extreme example, I'm checking in for a flight from US West Coast to Asia with a connecting flight to another city in Asia. The time in the connecting city is 17 hours ahead of where I'm starting but the people starting the flight there will not be checking-in 17 hours ahead of me - the time on the clock where I am sitting is irrelevant.