southwest - open seating has anyone experienced this?

[TxRabbit]

Business class on SW, does this get you more leg room or a bigger seat? Some airlines it does, some it doesn't.

Business class on SW has nothing to do with the comfort, placement, or area of the seats on the plane. It has everything to do with privelege associated with priority boarding and other perks and freebies. I believe a PP said that they can get a full refund on their tickets, not a credit, when needing to cancel, a free drink, something else...

 

[vacation_junkie]

Business class on SW, does this get you more leg room or a bigger seat? Some airlines it does, some it doesn't.

No they don't..there is no "special" section...all the seats are the same..just most business class like to sit at the front of the plane where there is a bit more leg room.

 

[EKW]

I love SWA...have flown them almost exclusively for 17 years. I have two boys and have never had a problem finding 3 seats together. They didn't have the prepay-to-board-early system last year when we went to Disneyland, but even with having a B group assignment we were fine. I wouldn't worry about this much!

 

[cats mom]

I did EBCI in January and wound up with a low B number. I was furious. Ended up upgrading to business for $20 more a person and boarded first.

Theoretically if everyone on your flight went the Early Bird route, you could pay your $10 and still end up with C60.

That's why whenever someone asks about Early Bird, I try to point out that SW does NOT limit the number sold per flight at all. Most folks just assume they will get an A pass if they pay for Early Bird... not so.

Until this previous summer we had always gotten boarding group A when checking in exactly at the 24 hour before flight time mark. However, last summer we were not able to get in boarding group A for either leg of our flight, although we checked in EXACTLY at the 24 hour mark (DH works for a TV statiion, and his watch is set to "station" time, which is extremely accurate). I have heard this has been the case for most people these days.

Yep, it could get more and more difficult for those of us who choose not to pay for Early Bird, and if it really takes off, I think SW may have to re-think how the program is structured.

 

[bucket o' butter]

I love SW and have never had a problem getting a good seat. The key is to get online exactly 24 hours (and I do mean exactly) to get your boarding pass. If you fly out at 2:33 P.M. on June 12, you must be on their website at 2:33 P.M. on June 11th to book your seat. Honestly, I think it is fun and every time, I have got a good seat. I guess it depends on how you feel about waiting. My brother-in-law said he would never do it again. He feels more comfortable about having an assigned seat. I say, go for it! See if you like it and if not, don't do it again. You will never know until you try! Good luck!

 

[pamlet]

i have flown both airlines and sw is definitly bigger seats

I agree! More legroom too,