Southwest Airlines -- Advice

[invaderzim]

We have always flown US Air, but now Southwest has joined our hub in Philadelphia and I have been reading good reviews about their service. However, one thing I heard was that they don't assign seats ahead of time -- it's sort of like a "cattle call" when you arrive (first come, first gets seats together).

Is that true? Can someone who has dealt with them advise me of their procedures? Thanks.

 

[debster812]

SWA does not preassign any seats. There are technically 4 boarding groups.

a.) Pre boards (children <4 I think, special needs passengers, etc)

Then there are A, B and C boarding groups. They hand out your boarding card when you check in.

If you get an A you will be assured of seating together

If you get a B, depending on where in the queue you are, and how full the plane is, you may or may not get all your seats together

If you get a C, well, the last time I flew SWA for business, the gate agent made sure to tell us all that C stands for C enter Seat. Pretty much true.

I really don't mind it at all.

 

[coinkc]

There is a way to almost gurantee an "A" card though. Southwest has recently added internet check-in where you can print your boarding passes from home. Each reservation though has to be it's own seperate one, so here is how to do it: book your flights like you normally would. Then the day before your flight call Southwest and ask them to seperate each person. Then check-in via computer. I have doen this three times already and it works like a charm...the SW agent is the one who suggested it to me. This way you get an "A" card and don't have to get to the airport any earlier than you would normally arrive for any other airline.

 

[julybride]

The service I have received on Southwest has always been top notch. It's supposed to be one of the best companies to work for and I think that helps to create a very friendly atmosphere. Some of the newer startups (JetBlue, Song, Ted) are modeling themselves after Southwest.

The non-assigned seating is hard to get used to - you have to have the resolve to arrive at the airport well ahead of your scheduled flight. If you are travelling with the under 4's it is a nice perk to be able to pre-board.

If you decide to go give them a try I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[antmaril]

I have had only good experiences with Southwest. I always get to the airport early (approx. two hours ahead) and have always received "A" Boarding passes. This is true, even since they started allowing you to check in online at midnight the day of travel. I did not get up at midnight to check in, but still received an "A" Boarding pass at the airport.

If you get there early, you should be fine.

 

[invaderzim]

Thank you all so much. A lot of great information.

I do watch their show on A&E ("Airline") and it really does show the employees in a very good light -- patient, helpful, and very friendly.

I might just give them a try next time around.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by coinkc
There is a way to almost gurantee an "A" card though. Southwest has recently added internet check-in where you can print your boarding passes from home. Each reservation though has to be it's own seperate one, so here is how to do it: book your flights like you normally would. Then the day before your flight call Southwest and ask them to seperate each person. Then check-in via computer. I have doen this three times already and it works like a charm...the SW agent is the one who suggested it to me. This way you get an "A" card and don't have to get to the airport any earlier than you would normally arrive for any other airline.

That does not always work. Some actually get B's and Cs. They allot x number of A,B&C to the internet, skycap, counter and gate.
And, you need not wait until the day before the flight, you can separate them anytime, but, it is easier to book them separately from the get go.