Southwest Boarding Position

[brajfamily]

We just did the online check in on SWA. Our boarding position is A50 - A54. I know that "A" puts you on towards the beginning but what does the number have to do with? Does it impact our boarding position? I have read about people paying for one early bird and then saving multiple seats. Doesn't sound quite fair to me....as long as my family and I can all sit together, I'm okay.
thanks!

 

[Jestocost]

Passengers will board by number within each group and there are 60 numbers in the A group, so you will board toward the end of the As. However, A1-A15 are reserved for SWA's highest-level frequent flyers and passengers who have purchased more expensive "Business Select" tickets, and there frequently are few--if any--people in those slots.

Medical preboards and unaccompanied minors also board before the As.

 

[TiaMaria]

We just did the online check in on SWA. Our boarding position is A50 - A54. I know that "A" puts you on towards the beginning but what does the number have to do with? Does it impact our boarding position? I have read about people paying for one early bird and then saving multiple seats. Doesn't sound quite fair to me....as long as my family and I can all sit together, I'm okay.
thanks!

The gate agent and the monitor at the gate will indicate when A group, B group and C group should line up for boarding. Just get there early and listen for the boarding announcements for your flight.

A group goes first and lines up numerically - there are silver "posts" in the boarding area that say "1-6" "7-12", etc. Normally numbers 1-30 line up on one side of the posts and 31-60 on the other.

The gate agent wil call A boarding group and then numbers 1-20, then 21 through 31 or similar.

SW doesn't really have a policy about saving seats, however I have seen flight attendants monitor this and put a stop to it if they deem necessary.

Being in the "A" group, you have an excellent chance of your entire family being able to sit together. However you do have to be aware, that unless your plane originates in your city, that there may be other passengers already on board the plane from the last flight that are traveling onward.

Good luck!