Southwest - Seat Selection

[DaniandRyan]

is there any way to choose our seats ahead of time on Southwest or do I have to wait until we check in?

Thanks

 

[wdwluver]

You can never select your seat in advance on Southwest. You are issued a boarding pass when you check in. You are assigned to group A, B, or C based upon the time you actually checked in for your flight. Passengers in group A get to board the plane first and can choose any seat. Then group B board, and finally group C.

Effective November 1, they were suppose to change the boarding procedures so that you are assigned a letter and number to indicate your boarding group. Passengers holding boarding passes with Group A1 through A5 board first, then A5-A10, etc. It's designed to make the waiting process easier so people aren't lining up an hour in advance within their group.

 

[ducklite]

You select your seats when you board the plane. There are no assigned seats at all.

 

[Anna114]

I have flown with children a number of time and my biggest fear with SW is that I could not sit with my children. As soon as the 24 hour mark hit, and I mean as soon as, I apply for my boarding passes. If you are in the A group I have never found it to be a problem. I like the idea of the A1 and so forth method that makes it even easier to sit with your loved ones.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Go with what Anna just told you--check in online at the 24 hour prior to flight mark--and you'll be in Group A with no problems getting decent seats.