Southwest- I don't get it!

[ElleBelle]

Hi all. I've been searching and searching for flights in march '06. Finally found some cheap one's on southwest. The fares I found are considered "fun fares". What I don't understand is how seating works. Is it that we're guaranteed seats on the plane, but that we won't necessarily sit together? Is there anyway we could be guaranteed to sit together? Does this require me upgrading the fare type? OY! Any info would be very much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[mtdevine615]

You got it SW does a cattle call type of boarding. You board in groups. You can print off a boarding pass after midnight for your upcoming flight. But you cannot get an assigned seat. One of the main reasons I don't like flying SW but for the cheap fares I will put up with it. Maine

 

[wee-haggis]

You got it SW does a cattle call type of boarding. You board in groups. You can print off a boarding pass after midnight for your upcoming flight. But you cannot get an assigned seat. One of the main reasons I don't like flying SW but for the cheap fares I will put up with it. Maine

You can now print off the boarding pass 24 hrs before your flight.
If you want an "A" pass, I suggest you do that.

 

[Servants of Evan]

That's one of the whole concepts of Southwest and how they save money. If you're flying with one of the other big carriers (Continental, United, AA, etc) they take your reservation and then track your seat choice. It costs money to do that... Additionally, if you've ever gone to a travelocity, Orbitz, etc and checked on seating availability for a flight you often find a cabin dotted with single seats which are (at that time) unsold. If given the option, would a family book these individual seats? Probably not and so they would commonly look for another flight. With Southwest, they don't have these problems. They know that 737 will hold 134 people and they'll sell 134 seats. Where you sit, or if you sit together is your problem --they just promise to get you from point 'a' to point 'b.'

Servants of Evan

 

[C.Ann]

For the fares that SW offers I'd take a folding chair on the wing - and be happy about it!

 

[ElleBelle]

For the fares that SW offers I'd take a folding chair on the wing - and be happy about it!

C. Ann- I would have to agree with you about the low fares- however, for whatever reason I've been blessed with TERRIBLE "flight anxiety". Even going to an airline web site in search of flights puts my blood pressure through the ceiling . I need, need, need my husband right next to me for support

All things considered, I do think we'll go with southwest in the long run!

 

[ElleBelle]

Oh- and what exactly does the term "A" pass mean?

 

[atigeg]

This is inkkognito, posting under hubby's ID:

If you get an A pass and get in the A line early, chances are 98.6325% that you and your husband will sit together. About the only thing that could jinx it is a totally, obnoxiously huge pre-board and/or a plane arriving from another another destination and continuing on (meaning that people are already onboard).

A pass means the first to board after pre-boarders; B goes next, then C. Since it is open seating, the first people to board have the best choice of seats. Print your boarding pass immediately 24 hours before your flight (we checked in yesterday and were #18 at only 3 minutes after the designated time...only 35 As are issued). Then, get to the airport early and get in the A line early. I just bring a book or videogame and sit in line.

Barb

 

[tjmw2727]

Oh- and what exactly does the term "A" pass mean?

I was nervous about SWA prior to our October flight as it was just myself and my 8 and 10yo dds but I can now way don't worry! SWA boards in groups without assigned seating in this order: Preboards, group A, group B and then group C.

Preboards would be wheelchairs or those requiring assistance and then children 4 and under.

When you check in determines your boarding pass letter and they are given out in ABC order. We checked in online exactly 24 hours prior and got boarding passes in the A group. Or commonly called A pass, B pass etc.

Once you get through security to the gate you will see the signs where to line up for your respective boarding group. If you check in online you should get an A. Just board with your group and choose the available seat that suits you. If you don't care where you sit you should have no probelm sitting together as 2.

We were about the 3rd group in the A line on the flight to WDW from Philly and got seats together in about the 4th row - wonderful. On the return flight we were about the 8th family in line and there were more preboards, even still we got row 10 three seats together.

HTH
TJ

 

[C.Ann]

C. Ann- I would have to agree with you about the low fares- however, for whatever reason I've been blessed with TERRIBLE "flight anxiety". Even going to an airline web site in search of flights puts my blood pressure through the ceiling . I need, need, need my husband right next to me for support

All things considered, I do think we'll go with southwest in the long run!

-------------------------

Handcuff yourself to him and then they'll HAVE to put you together - right?

 

[Mersmom98]

It's never been a problem for us and I've flown SW forever. Just check in online 24 hours before you leave and get your boarding pass that way. They call people to board by the "A, B, C, or D" that is on your boarding pass. The earlier you check in the earlier you board.

 

[Rpsemont]

You may want to also book your tickets as OW. That way, if later a discounted fare or DIng fare comes out, you'll have a better chance of taking advantage of it. (Do search on DING if you don't know what that is)

We've flown SW many times and there was only once that DD ALMOST didn't sit beside one of us. Try not to worry about it. Print you Boarding passes early, If you get anything but an A , arrive at the airport early; and whether you have A,B, or C; if you want best seat selection, get in line as soon as you get to the gate. Times I've gotten B,and C passes, I just park myself with all the carry ons the floor and sit down and read.

 

[jimmiej]

Earlier this year, I checked in on-line at midnight. My wife & I got "A" passes. There were about eight "A's" ahead of us, plus pre-boarders. We ended up in the front row (bulkhead). We were one of the first ones out of the plane in Orlando.

Trip before that, we had five including two kids. We checked in at the airport, got "B" passes, & still had no trouble sitting together.

Remember this, SWA still makes a PROFIT, which is almost unheard of in today's airline economics.

 

[LoriZH]

I could have saved $300 bucks if I flew SW, but DH didn't want to take the chance with our three kids (we are a group of 5 so it would be more difficult for us) and my dh would stress out with the cattle call. If it were just me and my kids, I would do it to save that much money! I don't think you'll have a problem just check in early like everyone has stated and get in line early, you'll be fine.

 

[huskies90]

It appears it is easy to get the A group by checking in online from home 24 hours before your trip but how about the return flight? Especially if you are using Magical Express? How do you ensure you get to sit with your spouse?

 

[cranbiz]

Southwest actually issues 40 A Boarding passes. (I checked in last night and got BP#40).

Guest services at your resort will check you in and print your BP's for you. You can also just check in and reprint your BP at the kiosk at the airport. As long as ou have already checked in, you will retain your boarding group.

The good thing, if there are a lot of preboarders, SW may suspend preboarding or limit it to 1 adult and the child, this way you don't get the "extended family" (I have seen this at MCO). If you get A's you will be able sit together, it just may be the back of the plane 99.99% of the time (I'll go out on the limb on this)

Don't worry, check in 24 hours in advance, enjoy your flight.

 

[DMRick]

Guest services at your resort will check you in and print your BP's for you. You can also just check in and reprint your BP at the kiosk at the airport. As long as you have already checked in, you will retain your boarding group..

Has anyone actually printed them out at the Kiosk? I went on my computer, checked in, and planned on doing that. The Kiosk still says at MCO, you can't use the Kiosk for printing out, if you already checked in. So when I got in line, he asked if I was internet, I said yes, but didn't print out my ticket yet, so he sent me to the left, at the ticket counter (which is also a Kiosk, but with help) where you can put in your info and get your suitcases weighed (and help is right there). It told me to see the person behind the desk, and she had to print them out for me.

 

[judykay53]

This September, on our return flight, we used Magical Express and checked in after arriving at the airport We got B passes but when people started lining up we just parked ourselves down in the floor (like a previous poster) and waited. We had two adults and 2 kids and had no problem sitting the way we wanted. It cost us $397 for the four of us roundtrip. I'd take my chances anyday for that rate. Also, I'm sure you will find some nice and willing fellow passengers who would switch seats to help you out.

 

[jlbower79]

For the fares that SW offers I'd take a folding chair on the wing - and be happy about it!

AMEN

Jaime

 

[ElleBelle]

Thanks all for your replies. We ended up securing a flight yesterday with usair out of philly for $260 roundtrip. Not TERRIBLE- but not fantastic either. I'd rather err on the side of caution and KNOW that not only will I be sitting with my husband, but also 16 other members of my family that booked the same flight(!).

We're actually going for a family reunion in the world in march- 28 people total. It should be quite an adventure- some flying, some driving, some taking the auto train! We are very excited!