Southwest Board Procedure

[johnnyr]

Since you cannot select seats, can someone explain the boarding procedure with Southwest? I am particulary interested in how they determine who boards first. Thanks.

 

[seashoreCM]

Generally by order of check in which you can do on line as early as 24 hours in advance.

You can pay a fee at least 36 hours in advance to have your boarding order position automated and occurring (in order of payment) slightly before the 24 hour mark. (correction) However you still have to check in manually, either on line or at the airport.

At most airports Southwest serves, there is a set of poles or pylons in a line long enough for 60 people who are supposed to line up in order of the number that accompanies the A, B, or C printed on your boarding pass.

After the first 60 (known as the A group) have boarded, children 4 and under accompanied by parents with B or C boarding passes may board.

After the A group has boarded, the pylon area is free for the B group to line up.

Unless you purchased a "business select" ticket, the best boarding number you can get is A-16. It is possible that few or no persons may be in the A-1 to A-15 range.

 

[johnnyr]

Generally by order of check in which you can do on line as early as 24 hours in advance.

You can pay a fee at least 36 hours in advance to have your check in automated and occurring (in order of payment) slightly before the 24 hour mark.

After the first 60 (known as the A group) have boarded, children 4 and under accompanied by parents with B or C boarding passes may board.

At most airports Southwest serves, there is a set of poles or pylons in a line long enough for 60 people who are supposed to line up in order of the number that accompanies the A, B, or C boarding pass. After the A group has boarded, the pylon area is free for the B group to line up.

Thanks. So if you end up with a C boarding pass, is there a higher chance of being bumped from the flight?

 

[seashoreCM]

Yes. Bumping starts with the later check ins, although in most cases there are enough volunteers that no one is bumped against his will.

It is not unusual for all the A boarding passes to be spoken for between 24 hours and 23 hours-55 minutes prior to departure time.

From what people have said, usually groups with B-40 or better (first 2/3 of the B group) can find pairs of empty seats to sit in.

 

[DebbieB]

Since you cannot select seats, can someone explain the boarding procedure with Southwest? I am particulary interested in how they determine who boards first. Thanks.

http://www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/index.html

Boarding Procedure
(View a quick tutorial of the new way to board)

Each Customer will be issued a boarding pass grouped by A, B, or C based on when the Customer checked in or based on the fare they purchased. Customers may check in online at southwest.com, at the Skycap Podium, Ticket Counter, Departure Gate, or E-Ticket Check-In kiosk (where available).
Prior to general boarding, unaccompanied children between the ages of five and 11 and Customers with disabilities who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft may preboard. Customers who choose to preboard cannot sit in an emergency exit seat.
An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger will board between the “A” and “B” boarding groups. If you have an “A” boarding pass, please feel free to board with that boarding group. With an all-jet fleet outfitted with comfortable, leather seats, our families with small children are easily accommodated together.
Because Southwest Airlines maintains an open-seating policy, general-boarding Customers may sit in any open or unclaimed seat. Customers holding boarding pass "A" will begin general boarding, followed by Customers with boarding pass "B," and then "C." General-boarding Customers who choose an emergency exit seat must meet all requirements set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration and Southwest Airlines.

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