Southwest question

[wvjules]

I'm flying Southwest on Sunday for the first time. I know they don't have assigned seating so how do they let you on the airplane since they dont' have rows to go by? If I check in early will I get to board first?

 

[Kahana-ri]

They give you boarding passes according to your arrival. For example, they allow people to begin check in an hour ahead. When you check in you are given a number usually 1-30, 30-60, and so on. You board the plane in those groups. Unless of course your a preboard with children or need assistance.

 

[LadyyRedd]

When you check in, you are given a boarding card with A, B or C on it. Group A boards first, then B, then C. There may be pre-boards before group A (ie, those in wheelchairs, needing special assistance, or children under a certain age - I think 5). Basically, if you have an A card, you get in the A line. First come, first served with seating. Personally, I much prefer this - I don't have to spend a flight sitting next to anyone I don't want to.

I *believe* the boarding card letter is based on when you check in. However, on Sunday starting at 12:01 am, you can check in online at www.southwest.com and print your boarding card there.

I'll be flying Southwest (for the millionth time, lol) on Saturday and Sunday. I love 'em.

Kimya

 

[Beth76]

Yeah, get there early if you want to pick your seat. They have some rows that face backwards so you've got a group of six people sitting together. It's kind of fun if you have a group, but you don't get tray tables and it's kind of weird sitting backwards.

 

[debabe723]

You can now check in online, beginning at midnight the day you fly. They board in 3 groups, A-C. When you get to the gate, there are usually 3 rows near the door, labeled A-C. Just get in the line matching your letter (we always get A) and you'll get on after the pre-boaders. We fly SoWest almost monthly and its no hassle (we almost always get the same row and seats). Any other questions, feel free to ask.

Deb

 

[wvjules]

Thanks. I knew I'd get info from you all.

I'll leave for the airport at 4am so checking-in online at 12:01 is not a likely option. I'll check in as soon as I get there and hope for the best. I'm traveling with a few co-workers. Not sure if I'd rather sit beside them or strangers. lol

This flight will be a few firsts for me: first on SWA, first 4+hour flight, first trip to Seattle, first in Pacific time zone.

It would be weird to be sitting backwards, espcially during take off and landing.

Thanks for the information. I'm heading to bed now. I leave DTW tomorrow morning at 7 and need to get to bed early.

 

[Nancy]

When you check in, you are given a boarding card with A, B or C on it. Group A boards first, then B, then C. There may be pre-boards before group A (ie, those in wheelchairs, needing special assistance, or children under a certain age - I think 5). Basically, if you have an A card, you get in the A line. First come, first served with seating. Personally, I much prefer this - I don't have to spend a flight sitting next to anyone I don't want to.

I *believe* the boarding card letter is based on when you check in. However, on Sunday starting at 12:01 am, you can check in online at www.southwest.com and print your boarding card there.

I'll be flying Southwest (for the millionth time, lol) on Saturday and Sunday. I love 'em.

Kimya

If you want an A seat I highly recommend getting your boarding pass on-line and printing it out. I got to the airport in Baltimore 3 hours before my flight and already had a B seat. When going to print your boarding pass you will need your confirmation number. I have to say that I love flying Southwest. The seats are roomy and comfy. The flight attendents are always super nice. Never had a problem with them at all.

 

[katerkat]

If you have a munchkin, how early do you need to get there?

 

[JennInTN]

wvjules,
I believe that the refurbed planes all have forward facing seats. A few of the yellow and orange planes still have backwards seats in bulkhead and emergency exit isle.

I too HIGHLY recommend checking in online. A's go fast!

If you have a munchkin, how early do you need to get there?

Your munchkin will allow you to get on quickly. Follow your airport's guidelines as to when to arrive (checking in, getting thru security, etc) 1.5 - 2 hours normally. SW allows families traveling with kids 4 and under to board before Group A.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Get online about 11:55 p.m. and have everything filled out and ready to go, when it is 12:01 hit send and you will have your boarding pass. It is worth it! Also, when you get to the airport, get in the A line (or B or C, depending on your pass) right away. The lines will form fast. Usually you are okay on the A line, but you definitely want to be first on the B or C line!

I usually take a book and snack with me to pass the time.

 

[mtblujeans]

Boarding on Southwest always reminds me of loading cattle into a shute....lots of pushing and shoving! It only takes one person bumping against one other person and it turns into a push-fest!

 

[Gary M]

If you aren't awake at 12:01 am then print the boarding passes off when you wake-up. I know in Indianapolis the preboarding can be a zoo for SWA, mainly the flights to MCO.

 

[Az Pirates]

Boarding on Southwest always reminds me of loading cattle into a shute....lots of pushing and shoving! It only takes one person bumping against one other person and it turns into a push-fest!

I've seen the cattle call comment about SW often... so I know lots of folks feel the same way you do.

Honestly though, in all the times we've flown SW, I have never seen pushing and shoving.

Granted, people do line up REALLY early!

We've always scored an A boarding pass - so we just make ourselves comfortable and then jump on the very end of the A line before they call for B's. We've always been able to find seats together, although if there are lots of pre-boards, we sometimes end up waaay in the back of the plane.

 

[LadyyRedd]

If you want an A seat I highly recommend getting your boarding pass on-line and printing it out. I got to the airport in Baltimore 3 hours before my flight and already had a B seat. When going to print your boarding pass you will need your confirmation number. I have to say that I love flying Southwest. The seats are roomy and comfy. The flight attendents are always super nice. Never had a problem with them at all.

I agree with this for the most part. We flew into Tampa this past saturday from BWI and home on sunday (went for the weekend for a wedding).
Saturday we printed out our passes at 6am and got B group. Sunday we didn't do it until a bit later (like 10am?) and got B group.

If you're flying on a flight that really isn't a high travel time (like tuesday afternoon), you may be ok waiting until you get to the airport. But if you have access to print them ahead of time, just go ahead and do it.

Kimya

 

[stm61]

we flew out of Phil on Fri the 9th with A boarding passes. I stayed up and printed them out at home the night before. They allowed us to board first because my youngest is under 5. There wasn't any pushing but the plane was only about 1/2 full.

Coming home we flew out of Orlando. The plane was about 2/3 full. They allowed wheelchairs first, then boarded small kids. They specifically asked that only parents with small kids preboard, specifically said no grandparents or other relatives unless the parents weren't there. We had A boarding passes so my 12 yr old and my mother stood in that line while I preboarded with the girls. Unfortunately, the group in front of us felt entitled. The parents, infant, boy who looked about 4 or 5, grandmother, and aunt all decided to preboard and managed to grab every bulk head seat on the plane. It looked like the majority of people waiting had A passes and there weren't any problems with the lines. I had the hotel conceirge desk print the pass around 9 a.m. and still got A. The cm said she's never printed one that hasn't been A and she's printed them at various times during the day. Guess she's got the magic touch or something.