Southwest Plane Change?

[vicky33006]

So I'm not exactly a seasoned traveler, and I've only flown once in my life. We had two direct flights so it was pretty simple.

Today I booked our flights on Southwest from BDL to MCO. We have a plane change at BWI. We will be there for almost two hours. So what happens during this time with Southwest? Are we able to hang out in the airport and maybe grab a bite to eat? What about boarding? Do we have to go through the whole boarding process again? We did pay for Early Bird Check In. Is that completely separate from this second plane? I was really hoping for a direct flight, but it just wasn't possible, so now I'm trying to figure out what will happen when we change over. TIA!

 

[DebbieB]

So I'm not exactly a seasoned traveler, and I've only flown once in my life. We had two direct flights so it was pretty simple.

Today I booked our flights on Southwest from BDL to MCO. We have a plane change at BWI. We will be there for almost two hours. So what happens during this time with Southwest? Are we able to hang out in the airport and maybe grab a bite to eat? What about boarding? Do we have to go through the whole boarding process again? We did pay for Early Bird Check In. Is that completely separate from this second plane? I was really hoping for a direct flight, but it just wasn't possible, so now I'm trying to figure out what will happen when we change over. TIA!

2 separate flight numbers? You will have to get off the first plane and wait in the airport. You will have to go through the boarding process again just like it was your first flight. You will get a separate boarding #.

Same flight #? You can stay on the plane, change your seat if you want. They will sometimes allow you to get off if you want and reboard before regular boarding.

 

[dschneider]

If you do have to change planes, you don't have to go through security again. Also, your Early bird is for both flights, but you will have to get in line again.

 

[vicky33006]

2 separate flight numbers? You will have to get off the first plane and wait in the airport. You will have to go through the boarding process again just like it was your first flight. You will get a separate boarding #.

Same flight #? You can stay on the plane, change your seat if you want. They will sometimes allow you to get off if you want and reboard before regular boarding.

Yes it's two separate flight numbers...

 

[vicky33006]

If you do have to change planes, you don't have to go through security again. Also, your Early bird is for both flights, but you will have to get in line again.

So at almost two hours do you think we will have time to do anything? I've never been to BWI so I don't know what's there, but if we don't have to do security again should we have time to maybe walk around for a couple of minutes, eat something, or I don't know...just stretch out? Or should we be ready to board the next plane immediately?

 

[Jestocost]

So at almost two hours do you think we will have time to do anything? I've never been to BWI so I don't know what's there, but if we don't have to do security again should we have time to maybe walk around for a couple of minutes, eat something, or I don't know...just stretch out? Or should we be ready to board the next plane immediately?

If your incoming flight is on time (or close) you should have plenty of time to make a bathroom stope and grab a bite to eat, or whatever. My personal MO is to make the walk to my next gate immediately, but to see what is on the way to or in the vicinity of my outbound gate and then manage my time accordingly.

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

I generally get off the plane and go to the gate from which the second plane is scheduled to depart. Once I know where it is, I usually get something to eat and return to the gate area and eat and read. You can probably look around shops and stuff too. Just make sure you check in occassionally with the second gate. Last time I went through BWI, the gate changed twice.

 

[vicky33006]

If your incoming flight is on time (or close) you should have plenty of time to make a bathroom stope and grab a bite to eat, or whatever. My personal MO is to make the walk to my next gate immediately, but to see what is on the way to or in the vicinity of my outbound gate and then manage my time accordingly.

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for..

I generally get off the plane and go to the gate from which the second plane is scheduled to depart. Once I know where it is, I usually get something to eat and return to the gate area and eat and read. You can probably look around shops and stuff too. Just make sure you check in occassionally with the second gate. Last time I went through BWI, the gate changed twice.

Thanks so much for letting me know that the gate might change. That's something I just wouldn't expect. Now I will be prepared, just in case.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Look at BWI concourses A/B on this map: http://www.bwiairport.com/files/pdfs/bwi_maps/TMG_UL_8-13-12.pdf

According to the map, there are 26 locations for food and 19 locations for shopping within the concourse A/B secure area.

With two hours between the scheduled arrival of your first segment and the scheduled departure of your second segment, you'll have 90 minutes before your second segment boards. (Of course, if your first segment is delayed, the time window shrinks.)

I haven't been to BWI concourses A/B lately, but, overall, most airport food these days is much better than it was in the past.

 

[vicky33006]

Look at BWI concourses A/B on this map: http://www.bwiairport.com/files/pdfs/bwi_maps/TMG_UL_8-13-12.pdf

According to the map, there are 26 locations for food and 19 locations for shopping within the concourse A/B secure area.

With two hours between the scheduled arrival of your first segment and the scheduled departure of your second segment, you'll have 90 minutes before your second segment boards. (Of course, if your first segment is delayed, the time window shrinks.)

I haven't been to BWI concourses A/B lately, but, overall, most airport food these days is much better than it was in the past.

Thank you so much! This is great! DS is not a morning person, so I'm thinking it's going to be tough to get him to eat before the first flight because it's so early, so I'm hoping to be able to grab him something to eat during our time at BWI

 

[stitchlovestink]

BWI is our "home" airport. We usually don't eat there since we have just left home but it is a very managable airport size wise with quite a few dining choices.
The advice to check your gate is probably excellent, but ours has never been changed.

 

[SteveMouse]

And if you are on time and hungry, the better (sit down) food choices are just outside security- one's right next to SW- pretty good, but a little slow, (it's a local brewhouse- nice brews, if it suits you).

You WILL have to go through security IF you exit security and you WILL need your boarding pass.

On the "secure" side of security (you DON't need to go through security again), there's a McDonalds, a Chinese restaurant, and a small sit-down environment on one concourse. The other has a much better selection (in my opinion), including a Subway and a few others.


-steve

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

And if you are on time and hungry, the better (sit down) food choices are just outside security- one's right next to SW- pretty good, but a little slow, (it's a local brewhouse- nice brews, if it suits you).

You WILL have to go through security IF you exit security and you WILL need your boarding pass.

On the "secure" side of security (you DON't need to go through security again), there's a McDonalds, a Chinese restaurant, and a small sit-down environment on one concourse. The other has a much better selection (in my opinion), including a Subway and a few others.

The BWI website shows that concourses A and B have A-Bar, Arby's, Auntie Anne's Pretzels, California Tortilla, Charlie Chiang's Kwai, Dunkin Donuts / Baskin Robbins, Jamba Juice, Mayorga Coffee, Market Fresh, McDonald's, Nature's Kitchen Fresh Cafe, Phillip's Seafood, Quizno's Subs, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen (two of them), Vino Volo Wine Bar, Obrycki's Restaurant & Bar, Panda Express, Silver Diner (Opening 9/20/2012), Starbucks Coffee, Subway, and Zona Mexicana -- all within the shared secure area.

I would not exit from the secure area, just to go to DuClaw Brewing Co. -- especially in the morning. It's bad enough to go through the whole security process once in a day, and it wastes time.