Southwest Boarding Times

[ls1222]

Typically, how early does Southwest start the boarding process? Thanks!

 

[MinnieLee]

Usually 1/2 hour before departure times. Business class first, first group of A and then the passengers with the blue ticket jackets, passengers with children and those needing assistance. Then they board the passengers with the B and C boarding passes.

 

[paras4ri]

Just wanted to add that sometimes you have to wait for your plane to arrive from elsewhere and then allow time for passengers to get off before boarding can begin. We once had a 15 minute connection in BWI and raced to our next gate only to find that the plane hadn't yet arrived.

 

[diesel]

They board the people who need assistance and unaccompanied minors first. Then they board the A group. There is no Business Class on Southwest. After A group is families with children 4 and under then B and C group.

 

[goofy4tink]

They board the people who need assistance and unaccompanied minors first. Then they board the A group. There is no Business Class on Southwest. After A group is families with children 4 and under then B and C group.

Yes, there is a 'business' class...it's called business select and they are seated in A1-15. So, those who need some type of assistence go first, then unaccompanied minors. Those who paid for business select then board...as I said, they get boarding passes from A1-15. Then, those holding A16 and up board. Those flying with children 4 and under can board after the A group boards (unless they had A bp's), then those in the B group, followed by the C group.

SW normally starts their boarding about 30 mins before flight departure.

 

[diesel]

Yes, there is a 'business' class...it's called business select and they are seated in A1-15. So, those who need some type of assistence go first, then unaccompanied minors. Those who paid for business select then board...as I said, they get boarding passes from A1-15. Then, those holding A16 and up board. Those flying with children 4 and under can board after the A group boards (unless they had A bp's), then those in the B group, followed by the C group.

SW normally starts their boarding about 30 mins before flight departure.

Business Select is not a separate boarding category just a different level of ticket purchase. When they call out for Boarding they don’t specifically say they are boarding Business Class. They are only boarding Group A.

 

[agnes!]

I guess folks are talking about different things which are kind of the same but kind of not...access to the boarding passes, boarding-order and announcements of boarding order. I think Southwest reserves boarding passes A1-15 for Business Select and then their A-List frequent-flyers get next available. A-List members get automatic boarding passes 36 hours before boarding.

Also to keep from needlessly rushing to make a connection, I looooove text-alerts from my airline.

agnes!

 

[goofy4tink]

Business Select is not a separate boarding category just a different level of ticket purchase. When they call out for Boarding they don’t specifically say they are boarding Business Class. They are only boarding Group A.

True. But, we get many, many posts asking why those checking in, right at the 24 hr mark, aren't able to get closer than A16. While not technically 'business' class, it is a different booking section, that is not included in the non-refundable fares that most travelers are looking for.

 

[DebbieB]

Just wanted to add that sometimes you have to wait for your plane to arrive from elsewhere and then allow time for passengers to get off before boarding can begin. We once had a 15 minute connection in BWI and raced to our next gate only to find that the plane hadn't yet arrived.

I've found that too. One of the reasons for SW's success is they turn the planes around quick, they don't make money on the ground. It's rare for boarding to start at 30 minutes, it's usually less.

 

[ls1222]

Thanks everyone. We have always flown with Continental and did not rush to the gate as we had our seat assignments. I am hoping for an A pass and don't want to miss out on when our numbers are called. So, for a 8:00 am flight-we should expect for boarding to start about 7:30?

 

[DebbieB]

I would be there by 7:30, that's the earliest they would board. Again, if the plane is coming in from elsewhere, it may be a little later.

 

[gparr]

Are you saying that you can "check in" online 24 hours before flight time to get better seating passes?

 

[DebbieB]

Are you saying that you can "check in" online 24 hours before flight time to get better seating passes?

The boarding order is determined by check-in time. You can check-in online at 24 hours before your flight time. If you wait until you get to the airport you will be one of the last to board and have limited seat selection onboard.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks everyone. We have always flown with Continental and did not rush to the gate as we had our seat assignments. I am hoping for an A pass and don't want to miss out on when our numbers are called. So, for a 8:00 am flight-we should expect for boarding to start about 7:30?

When we flew SW to Ft Lauderdale last Christmas, we were at the airport in plenty of time. We got to the gate about 75 mins before flight time. We left our dd, 15, sitting with our bags, while dh and I headed to Dunkin Donuts for some breakfast. Well...the line was long, and about 40 mins before departure time, my dd came running up to us....yelling, they're boarding, they're boarding. We had A1, 2 and 3 no less!! So, we left dh literally holding the bag of food/coffee and ran to the gate area to find the A's lined up!! My dd had put our bags in the proper spots so I didn't have to do that. But I'll tell you..it was a wee bit disconcerting to say the least. Much better to be there, sitting around being bored than worry about missing your assigned spot..especially since I had paid about $325 pp for that flight!!!!


You may want to plan on leaving a bit more leeway time at the gate area.

 

[gparr]

Thanks Debbie...I will make it a point to be ready to check in exactly 24 hours before flight time...should not be a problem!

Thanks for the info!

 

[swabikedude]

Most flights are boarded 30 minutes prior to departure. Everything depends on a plane of course. But as a general rule - it's best to be at your gate early because you don't want to miss your boarding group.

Check out the link below for a "Southwest Boarding School" - as it explains the process with some cool animation - classroom-style!

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

Hope that helps! Enjoy your flight!!!

 

[gparr]

OK...a dumb question (and yes, I have been to "school").

I understand the check-in process 24 hours ahead of scheduled flight...but what about checking luggage. Will that move me to a later boarding time? Or since I have my boarding pass, I just wait in line to check my bags and I am still good to go?

 

[DebbieB]

OK...a dumb question (and yes, I have been to "school").

I understand the check-in process 24 hours ahead of scheduled flight...but what about checking luggage. Will that move me to a later boarding time? Or since I have my boarding pass, I just wait in line to check my bags and I am still good to go?

Just get in line to check your bags. They have self serve kiosks, when you enter your confirmation # it will know you already checked in. It will let you reprint your boarding pass if you did not print it. Then check your bags. You will keep the same boarding #.

 

[Debbie-TN]

I thought all cities boarded the same, but from the responses, I guess not. Here's how they do it in Nashville. People with small children board first, then those needing assistance(that's us-or 2 of us if the have more than 2 in our group), then business class A1-A15, then the rest of A's, followed by B's, then C's. I'm pretty sure that's the way they load leaving Orlando, but we go one first so I'm not sure.