Southwest boarding

[Stefani P.]

I just did the online check in and got a group B boarding.
I previously called Southwest to see what I can do to guarantee being sat next to my daughter, who is 17 so no family boarding. She has a severe anxiety disorder and will flip out on flights normally. So not sitting next to me is bad.
They said no guarantee.
Ugh. Now I am stressed. There are 3 of us and with a B boarding, it isn't looking good.

 

[Gracie09]

I would head to the back of the plane. You should find two seats together or at least near each other i.e. Middle seats in a row.
I would add early checkin to your return flight if you need seats together

 

[emsstacey]

We boarded some in A and some in B on full flights and still easily sat together.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm curious if you purchased ECBI?

 

[Stefani P.]

I would head to the back of the plane. You should find two seats together or at least near each other i.e. Middle seats in a row.
I would add early checkin to your return flight if you need seats together

I had called Southwest 3 weeks ago and asked about Early Check In. The agent said, "There is still no guarantee you will sit together"
He acted like is was a waste of $15 a ticket to add. So I didn't. I should have .

 

[Stefani P.]

We boarded some in A and some in B on full flights and still easily sat together.

That makes me feel better.

 

[Stefani P.]

I'm curious if you purchased ECBI?

Is that early check in? I did not

 

[mom2rtk]

I had called Southwest 3 weeks ago and asked about Early Check In. The agent said, "There is still no guarantee you will sit together"
He acted like is was a waste of $15 a ticket to add. So I didn't. I should have .

Yes, you should have. Of course they can't guarantee anything, but you absolutely should have done so to increase your odds.

I think you'll be fine finding at least a couple seats together toward the back of the plane, but in the future you need to do what you can to increase your odds. Or fly another airline where you can select seats.

 

[NH-to-FL]

I had called Southwest 3 weeks ago and asked about Early Check In. The agent said, "There is still no guarantee you will sit together"
He acted like is was a waste of $15 a ticket to add. So I didn't. I should have .

We always get Early Check In and have always been able to find seats together. Including one time when we got low number B seating and had a number of families board before us.

Another possibility is to see if you can buy early entry at the gate. I don't remember what they call it. I think it is $40 a person. It is offered based on how many people are in the A1 to A15 Business Select and A-List member group. If there are open slots they will typically offer them. Ask at the gate or at the service counter near the gate.

Wishing you an uneventful flight and a magical visit!

 

[Stefani P.]

Yes, you should have. Of course they can't guarantee anything, but you absolutely should have done so to increase your odds.

I think you'll be fine finding at least a couple seats together toward the back of the plane, but in the future you need to do what you can to increase your odds. Or fly another airline where you can select seats.

Yes, agreed. My travel agent was so excited about Southwest that I didn't think to ask if they had assigned seating. I have never flown where they did not.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Another possibility that my DW suggests is to look into getting a medical pre-board pass. Again see the agent at the service desk near the gate.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

There are no guarantees, but with a B you should be fine finding 2 seats together. I booked the day of a flight and my husband and I were in the middle of the C group on a totally full flight. He wanted an aisle seat. We sat together in the third row from the back of the plane. On the return flight we were in B group and sat together right behind the wing.

Have a great trip.

 

[Stefani P.]

There are no guarantees, but with a B you should be fine finding 2 seats together. I booked the day of a flight and my husband and I were in the middle of the C group on a totally full flight. He wanted an aisle seat. We sat together in the third row from the back of the plane. On the return flight we were in B group and sat together right behind the wing.

Have a great trip.

Thank you!!!

 

[Stefani P.]

I am generally just nervous and worried about everything right now!!!

 

[DisDadDVC]

You could also pay the $40 at the gate to get A1-15. They are always available on flights to MCO. Not looking to start a debate here, but you COULD just buy it for one of you, and save a seat for the other.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

I am generally just nervous and worried about everything right now!!!

Don't let it ruin your trip. In the end it will all work out.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Just ask the gate agents for a medical pre-board. Usually all you have to do is explain your situation and they will give you one but if you want a little insurance get a Dr's note. Failing that, you can do as others have suggested and pay for the A1-15 upgrade which is also done at the gate.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

If you were this concerned you should have purchased Early Bird Check In.
Also if your daughter's anxiety is THAT bad you could have checked out the disability section while booking to see if severe anxiety qualifies for pre boarding.
You could ask at the gate prior to the boarding process if you could get pre boarding. They tend to be pretty lenient about who can pre board if you just go ask.
I do think you're worrying too much about this though. I've been able to sit next to my party even with a boarding number of B56 so it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

 

[Fangorn]

You've already had some good advice here about your options.

But to help put your mind at ease, consider this: with the number of rows/seats on a Southwest plane, if you have a boarding number from A1 to B56, there is no possible way NOT to have at least 2 seats together. And that would require that every one of those first 116 people were traveling alone and left all the middle seats open. Improbable on any flight, virtually impossible on a flight to MCO. Typically, you have to get well into the C group before finding 2 seats becomes a real issue.

Steve

 

[Scootypuffjr]

You've already had some good advice here about your options.

But to help put your mind at ease, consider this: with the number of rows/seats on a Southwest plane, if you have a boarding number from A1 to B56, there is no possible way NOT to have at least 2 seats together. And that would require that every one of those first 116 people were traveling alone and left all the middle seats open. Improbable on any flight, virtually impossible on a flight to MCO. Typically, you have to get well into the C group before finding 2 seats becomes a real issue.

Steve

This. I was coming to say this. We were at the end of A/beginning of B and got 3 seats together behind the wing and every row behind us (10-15 rows) was still empty. You'll be fine.