Southwest has changed their preboarding policy!!!

[great white north]

Just to let anyone with young children know that effective last Tuesday you will no longer be able to preboard with the disabled. Instead of boarding before "A" boarders you have to wait until after A and before B. So it is more important now that you obtain an A pass for your group and get in line if you want to board early. Just returned from Orlando so I seen the surprised families that didn't get to board early. Also overheard them saying this to flights leaving when we disembarked in Buffalo. This is a new policy across the country. Get your passes early(right at the 24hr time as I waited 10 mins and ended up with B boarding.
As always the Southwest experience was great. Left ontime and arrived early both ways. Happy Holidays

 

[Lavendar]

About a month ago some people received an email from Southwest announcing this. But I'm not sure how they got on this email list??

Part of this change also gives numbered spots in line.
So if you're the first to get your boarding pass you get A1 the next person is A2 ....
This is so people don't have to sit on the floor for hours to get their first spot in line for each section.

 

[NancyK]

I think I got an email because I'm a Rapids Reward member?? I love this change. People with disabilities will still get boarded first. When we went in September the old system was still in place. Based on the announcements made, it kind of sounded like it wasn't just Mom, Dad & kids that were taking advantage of the pre-board, but extended family that were travelling WITH the family - i.e Grandma & Grandpa, auntie etc. I think the new system will alleviate this problem. It will be more difficult to get those precious A passes, but I'm okay with that. I love Southwest!

 

[MinnieMommy]

Can someone explain??

We've never flown Southwest, but are considering driving to the US if it means worthwhile airfare savings. Does this mean Southwest doesn't give you assigned seats (like Air Canada)?

 

[disneyfan2]

nope, no pre selection, you get a boarding pass depending on when you checkin on line(24 hours before) then A, B, or C boarding passes will be printed. Once at the airport, those with diablities board first, then the A's board, and you basically enter plane and sit whereever you want, then families, then B's and finally C's as long as you get an A or B boarding pass you should be gauranteed to sit together but many people with C's stated they either got seats together or someone offered to move so you can sit with your children, Southwest is great for prices, but it would be nice if you can pre select your seats

 

[dsneygirl]

We just used the new system last Tues night coming home from Orlando. On our flight down it was still the old way and they were giving everyone written reminders for their flights home.

It wasn't a big deal though as there were only 50 people on our flight home (less than 50% full)