Southwest ??'s

[connie254]

I'm booked on SW. Do they ever change flight times? It seems it's pretty regular schedule per the website. How many seats across are there in the plane? I'm flying Pittsburgh to Orlando down there on 6/9. My son has autism and really needs that window seat otherwise he'll bother the heck out of however's there. My DH and stepson will sit behind us. And I'll go to the website the day before to get seat assignments. We flew Airtran last year and got to sit on the 2 seat side of the plane. Is there a preferred area of the plane? I'd rather sit closer to the front so we can exit faster or towards the back so we can take our time. We will not sit near the exit doors because of his condition. TIA

 

[clkelley]

Southwest uses 737s with 6 across seating (3 seats, aisle, 3 seats).

You can check-in online 24 hours in advance, but you WILL NOT get seat assignments. (Southwest gives no seat assignments, just first on, first choice). If you check-in online 24 hours in advance, you will probably get an "A" boarding pass and will be in the first group to board.

With your son's condition, here is what I would do.

Check in online 24 hours in advance and get those "A" boarding passes.

Get to the airport plenty early and have either your hubby or yourself go ahead and get into the marked "A" line at the gate. The rest of your family may wait a distance away in a quiet spot.

Once they call boarding, the rest of your family can join you in line and you'll be one of the first to board and will have your pick of seats.

I would recommend going ahead to the back of the plane, that way while boarding is going on, there won't be so many distractions with other folks passing your row as they are boarding.

 

[DebbieB]

I would talk to the gate agent. You may be able to pre-board.

 

[tmt martins]

And YES they do change flight times sometimes.But don't worry it may only be 15 to 30 mins in either direction from all the time I've flown with them.They will contact you if they do.

 

[SamIAm21]

Southwest usually runs really close to schedule. They very rarely change flight times, but if they do at least they let you know with a phone call or email.

Also, if you are in the A Boarding group or "PreBoard", you will have no problem getting a window seat for your son.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

SW does change flight times...so it's very important to:

1. Check in online...I would have your husband OR you get on the plane and save the seats you need that way your little one is not sitting, waiting and getting anxious. Sitting towards the front will probably be a good idea so that you can get off the plane as soon as possible.

2. Check your flight times the morning you leave. The last two times I've flown Southwest there have been delays. In February, I was in Vegas for a Conference and I had my husband check me in online since I didn't have access to the internet, so I go to McCarran airport and go to the counter to print my boarding pass only to find that my flight had been cancelled! Luckily, they got me on another flight that was only like 45 minutes later. But last month when we went on our cruise, our flight was delayed TWO hours...it was horrible! I wish we would have checked the flight times before we left

Other than those two little mishaps (which can happen on ANY airline) I *heart* Southwest.