Southwest Boarding

[esk]

Going to fly for the first time on Southwest (only non stop) in November.

What is the deal with the Early Boarding? There are 4 of us, and someone recommended we just have one person (DH probably) do the early bird check in, and have them "save seats" for the 3 of us. Or Have 2 people do it...DH and oldest child, and have them save 2 seats for me and DD.

It's $80 extra for all of us to do it both ways.

Just haven't flown Southwest before, so not sure what to do....

 

[tjmw2727]

Early boarding - as explained in full on the SWA website checks you in automaticalky at T36 from your flight departure time vs you checking in yourself at T24.

If your DH gets an earlier boarding number he can try and save seats for your party but be aware that if someone does choose that seat there is nothing he can do. I can't imagine one person trying to save more than one or maybe two seats anyway as most SWA aircraft is rows of 3 and 3.

I personally wish SWA would go back to not allowing seat saving.

 

[DebbieB]

If you want to go the saving seats route, I would do 2 and 2. 1 person saving 3 other seats is going to be difficult since 1 will be across the aisle. Your best bet is to have him head for the back.

 

[pbinn310]

if all four tickets are on the same reservation with the same confirmation number, you can do the online check in 24 hours ahead and you will all have consecutive numbers. As long as you can go online exactly 24 hours ahead you probably wont have a problem. We did the early boarding for our trip home ( 5 of us ) simply because we will be in a park the day before we head home at that time and will not be able to check in online.

 

[RainbowsMist]

We're planning on booking Southwest and I just came across the fact they don't allow seating assignments? Is there anyway to get around this? We are a family of six and we're planning on doing 3 and 3 and want to be close to each other? Any ways to get around this?

Thanks

 

[esk]

well, that's the thing --- you can pay $10 more per ticket for Early Bird check in, and then you are among the first 50 or so people on the plane and get your pick of seats. If you don't, then you run the risk of by the time you board, only 1-sies and 2-sies are left.

Which is why I asked about if people save seats, etc, like a coworker said to do...we're only 4 people, so 2 and 2 across the aisle but with 3 and 3, it might be harder.

 

[brenda1966]

Does SW even let you do early bird for one ticket if you have purchased 4? If so, that seems like a flaw in their system.

If you will be at home or at work or you have an iphone and can check in at the 24 hour mark, you will be able to find seats together. If you cannot check in at the 24 hour mark, that is when you can start to worry. One time I forgot to check in until we were driving to the airport. Needless to say, we were some of the last people to board the plane. Those last people are always split up.

I don't mind open seating. I put a reminder in my phone at the 24 hour mark so I won't ever forget to check in again. I've always got B or A seating by checking in then.

 

[RainbowsMist]

well, that's the thing --- you can pay $10 more per ticket for Early Bird check in, and then you are among the first 50 or so people on the plane and get your pick of seats. If you don't, then you run the risk of by the time you board, only 1-sies and 2-sies are left.

Which is why I asked about if people save seats, etc, like a coworker said to do...we're only 4 people, so 2 and 2 across the aisle but with 3 and 3, it might be harder.

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!! Do they seriously expect families to split up?

I suppose for those that don't mind flying it would probably be easier but when you have members of your family that are anxious flyers it's more comforting when mom/dad are beside you. Guess I'll be paying extra and flying with a carrier that allows seating assignments. Just not worth the stress.

 

[StacyMarie]

Personally, I would never chance not paying for the EB check in if sitting next to each other is what is important to you and your family. Also, coming from somebody who did pay for EB check in for all 7 of my party, I would be upset if I saw somebody saving seats for the rest of their party when only 1 person paid for the EB check in.

 

[RainbowsMist]

Personally, I would never chance not paying for the EB check in if sitting next to each other is what is important to you and your family. Also, coming from somebody who did pay for EB check in for all 7 of my party, I would be upset if I saw somebody saving seats for the rest of their party when only 1 person paid for the EB check in.

Oh I have absolutely no problem paying the EB fee per person if it guaranteed we could be 3 and 3....

 

[SteveMouse]

EBCI will move you towards the front of the line for boarding. Since it's first-come, first served, the earlier to purchase ECBI, the lower your number and the closer to the front of the line you are.

There are a few people who can board prior to ECBI passengers. It is possible, although extremely unlikely (Earth suddenly changes it orbit to go the other way 'round the sun unlikely) that there would be someone in each row prior to ECBI boarders.

I would expect that, at a minimum, you would be able to secure two rows of 3 in each row within a couple of rows- it might be across the aisle or in front/behind of each other (and actually, if you were trying to interact with each other, the front/behind might be a bit easier).

Even on an airline that assigns seats, it is possible that you could be reassigned.

-steve

 

[dsneprincess]

We have flown Southwest many, many times & never had a problem getting 4 seats together without paying the extra fee. If you online checkin (or have someone at home do it for you with your confirmation number), you will not have a problem. We aphave been in A or B boarding. I actually PREFER the open boarding; the 2 times we have flown with seat assignments as 4, we haven't been able to get even 2 &2. This happened with Airtran & I have a JetBlue flight for next Sunday that has caused stress for DS12 since booking as I can't get him a seat with anyone! I actually called airlines both times & was told they can't or won't switch seating to keep children with their parents & I can't sit DS2 alone. Believe me, if he was the lone seat, people would BEG to switch!! As it stands, DS12 says we should only ever fly southwest because everything with seats is TOO stressful! & we live 3 hours from a Southwest airport vs. 10 minutes for JetBlue. He honestly doesn't even want to go to WDW @ this point because of seat issue. You will be fine if you check in 24 hours in advance; we just have grandma or auntie do while we enjoy parks & then reprint boarding passes at airport kiosk!! No worries!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I know a lot about jetBlue; PM me your dates, starting airport, and flight numbers, and I'll let you know what I know about likely available seats.

I don't work for the company, so I can't do anything except maybe appease your fears.

 

[stitchlovestink]

We're planning on booking Southwest and I just came across the fact they don't allow seating assignments? Is there anyway to get around this? We are a family of six and we're planning on doing 3 and 3 and want to be close to each other? Any ways to get around this?

Thanks

Nope...It's open seating. First come, first served.
And the one drawback to earlybird checkin is if Too many people on your flight opt to use it, you can still end up with a "B" boarding pass which isn't the end of the world but I'd be ticked if I paid for EBCI and got a "B" pass and they ALSO did family boarding between the 'A' and 'B' groups! I would definitely be annoyed!! It can and does happen, not often but does....


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[goofy4tink]

We're planning on booking Southwest and I just came across the fact they don't allow seating assignments? Is there anyway to get around this? We are a family of six and we're planning on doing 3 and 3 and want to be close to each other? Any ways to get around this?

Thanks

You need to plan on boarding just like everyone else!! There are many families boarding, all who want to be seated together. SW has never had seating assignments. You have two choices here...
1. do online checkin right at the 24 hr window....be sure to click on everyone's name to check them in. Then, you should be able to get boarding assignments far enough forward to enable you to sit together.
2. Pay for EBCI..this will move you ahead of those checking in at the 24 hr window.

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!! Do they seriously expect families to split up?

I suppose for those that don't mind flying it would probably be easier but when you have members of your family that are anxious flyers it's more comforting when mom/dad are beside you. Guess I'll be paying extra and flying with a carrier that allows seating assignments. Just not worth the stress.

If you book with SW, you need to be aware of their boarding policies. I have never had an issue being seated with my family on SW, and I've been flying with them for over 10 years!!!
It's really not a bad system. You are aware that assigned seating, on other airlines, can be changed, by the airline, right??? I have had more seating issues with assigned seating than with SW's first come, first served policy.

It's only the people boarding in the C group that will have an issue finding larger numbers of seats together. Those in the A and the B groups usually have no issue getting seats together..unless they are a really large group. Sure, you do have to head to the back of the plane, but that's not a bad thing.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

So those that buy EBCI are slotted based on WHEN they purchase the EBCI?

 

[StacyMarie]

So those that buy EBCI are slotted based on WHEN they purchase the EBCI?

Yes.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!! Do they seriously expect families to split up?
.

I would think that they expect that people who book with them are informed customers that pay attention to what is offered to them at the point of sale. Anytime you purchase tickets through SW, they offer EBCI. It's up to the consumer to decide if they want it.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

So those that buy EBCI are slotted based on WHEN they purchase the EBCI?

Not entirely. Other factors play a role such as the type of fare booked. Sometimes Regular fares can get priority over Wanna Get Away or Ding Fares even if booked later.

 

[esk]

what about family boarding? Someone mentioned that and I hadn't heard of it...actually didn't realize ANY airlines did that anymore.

Although really, our kids aren't little. We probably don't need it, and will just take our chances with 24 hour advance check in. The flight is at 6:45 in the morning on the Monday after Thanksgiving, don't think it will be that full?