Southwest and the NO RESERVED SEATING.

[edk35]

We are flying SW for the first time on Wed. to Disney World. We flew Airtran in Jan. Had no problems there but SW had the better rates when I booked. So.......now I am freaking out about the seating. UGH I can go on line 24 hour prior to get a boarding pass for a Section. Then we stand in a line for 1 hour or more...so we can get a better chance of better seats in section A??? Is that correct? We have 3 kids, but not young for preboarding. WE have a 15 year old daughter, 12 year old son and 6 year old son. What are our chances of sitting close by. Our kids also have a severe peanut allergy. They said they are not serving peanuts on our flights but of course they can't prevent people from eating them or peanut products......so I will freak out if our older kids have to sit near someone that eats something in the peanut family. I didn't even think about all this stuff when I got these tickets. AGHHHHHHHHHH

 

[jctwizzer]

Good lord, it won't be near as bad as what you've written here. SW boards chronologically, in "groups" -- A, B, and C, with the A group boarding first, then B, etc. If I've heard right, there are 45 passengers in each of the groups--so even at the end of the A group, your with the first 45 people getting on the plane at your airport. Most of the SW gates are set up so you line up with your group and board with that group.....if you get your boarding passes on line, chances are you'll be in the A group. People who are really particular about where they sit start lining up early, altho I don't see too many there an hour ahead of time. If you get in the A group and line up with your party, you will probably have a good choice of seats in a spot of your choosing. If you get in the B group there's a good chance the same thing will apply. My wife and I have never been seperated, even when we board with the C group---but that may be an exception. Have a good trip.

 

[jpeppers]

Make sure you notify Southwest that you have people in your party allergic to peanuts and they won't serve them. They had an episode on "Airline" about this exact topic and the guy failed to notify everyone. I hate the way Southwest seats people but I have always found them to be very customer friendly.

 

[bizeemom4]

I was nervous the first time that we flew SW in May. I was in group A going down and group B coming home. We got seats together both times.

I just wanted to clarify for you. There is no section A on the plane. The entire plane is open for seating. Most people prefer the front so that fills up first by the preboarders and the people with A boarding passes. B passes fill in the rest of the good seats (i.e. aisle and window) and the rest of the boarders get what's left.

With our A passes, we were probably 7 rows back (due to the large # of preboarders). With our B passes, we were 3/4 of the way back but still got what we wanted.

They did serve peanuts on both of our flights.

 

[debden]

IF you print your boarding passes out ahead of time and get Row A you will have no problems finding seats together.Even if your at the back of the A line you will still have a huge selection of empty seats to pick from.
After your first trip with Southwest Airlines you'll find out how convenient and great it is to fly with this airline.
It took us a long time to try Southwest because the thought of no seating assignment scared the heck out of us but after the first time we never looked back!
Happy Travels and let us know how it goes!
Debbie

 

[edk35]

yeah they have it on the records for the peanut allergy and she said to tell them at check in also. So that will be done as well. Thanks

 

[Gary M]

Before the A group boards there is the pre-boarding mass of humanity boarding. The MCO flights can have a very long pre-boarding line. The plane may also originate from another city and several people will be on the plane before your airport group boards.

 

[edk35]

I am expecting a nightmare on the return. Our flight leaves Orlando at 5:40 the Sat of Thanksgiving weekend. We can't get the boarding passes at the hotel because we have three youth fares on the return. So I am having our car service pick us up at 3:00. Do you think that is enough time to get there and check in?

Thanks

 

[ducklite]

I am expecting a nightmare on the return. Our flight leaves Orlando at 5:40 the Sat of Thanksgiving weekend. We can't get the boarding passes at the hotel because we have three youth fares on the return. So I am having our car service pick us up at 3:00. Do you think that is enough time to get there and check in?

Thanks

IMHO, no way! I always allow two FULL hours at MCO.

Anne

 

[debster812]

IMHO, no way! I always allow two FULL hours at MCO.

Anne

ITA with this. Even without a holiday weekend to add time. 2 hours at MCO is not unreasonable, for that Saturday, I might give myself 3 hours (however, it's been said I suffer from a touch of travel planning OCD )