Southwest- seating issue

[pooch]

We always buy the early birds, especially to avoid the check-in rush 24 hours prior.

Like Craig Larson above, I usually buy it only when 24 hr check in is not possible as when we are cruising with no internet access. Other than that, I set an alarm on my phone for 5 minutes before check in opens & just check in. I don’t find it to be a hassle or a rush. Especially now, our EBCI for our flight in November was $38 per person! That’s just ridiculous. Glad I get them free from Chase!

 

[maxiesmom]

My parents have gotten late Group B numbers before (like B45 or higher) and have still been able to find 2 seats together.

Our travel group of 4 has all had to sit away from each other when getting B. That is the hard thing about it. Sometimes you gamble and lose.

 

[hrhdhd]

Our travel group of 4 has all had to sit away from each other when getting B. That is the hard thing about it. Sometimes you gamble and lose.

I dunno. Might be a win. I don't understand needing to sit together. I don't mind sitting by myself and reading a book. (For the OP's first-time flier, maybe I'd look at it differently.)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

As they should. It is ridiculous that large parties were buying EBCI for one or two people and holding seats all around them.

And as for the 6 rows vs, 1 seat...it's all about consistency. If they let someone do it "just for one" when they say "our policy is no saving seats" then there's no reason someone can't save a lot. If they're consistent with NO then it's just easier on everyone.

SWA doesn't have a policy though for nor against seat saving.

It's left up to the FAs, most often a flight by flight situation. I've had FAs save seats for passengers, I've had FAs say no seat saving. Most frequently you'll just hear "take the first available seat you see" but that is often only once boarding has well and truly gotten far enough that most seats left are middle seats.

Moot when assigned seating becomes effective in 2026 but this is their policy now and has been their policy in so much that there isn't a policy for nor against seat saving.

 

[titojackson84]

If you don’t do EBCI, you can also try the upgraded boarding. It is only available after the 24 hour check in and depends if A1-15 is available, but it gets you in A1-15. You may not be able to get it for everyone, but maybe at least for the ones who don’t want to be alone.

The time of your flight may matter too. If you’re on the earliest flight, it’ll be empty but otherwise there could be people on board who connecting and not deplaning.

 

[pooch]

Our travel group of 4 has all had to sit away from each other when getting B. That is the hard thing about it. Sometimes you gamble and lose.

Wow, there must have been an outrageous number of pre boarders and family boarders. Even at B54, we’ve found at least 2 seats together in the back.

 

[eticketplease]

I dunno. Might be a win. I don't understand needing to sit together. I don't mind sitting by myself and reading a book. (For the OP's first-time flier, maybe I'd look at it differently.)

In reality if you are not sitting with your party that usually means the flight is close to full and you would be sitting next to someone else instead. I seriously doubt you would be by yourself in this scenario

 

[Lewisc]

Wow, there must have been an outrageous number of pre boarders and family boarders. Even at B54, we’ve found at least 2 seats together in the back.

Or a lot of continuing and connecting passengers. Connecting pax check in for both flights 24 hours before their first flight.

A real issue at airports like BWI.

 

[hrhdhd]

In reality if you are not sitting with your party that usually means the flight is close to full and you would be sitting next to someone else instead. I seriously doubt you would be by yourself in this scenario

I don't mean I'll have the plane to myself. I just don't need to spend every waking moment with travel companions.

 

[eticketplease]

I don't mean I'll have the plane to myself. I just don't need to spend every waking moment with travel companions.

Yes I know what you mean. I can certainly understand taking a break I just think most people would want to sit next to their party rather than a stranger.

 

[Dug720]

SWA doesn't have a policy though for nor against seat saving.

Interesting as the last two times I have flown them, the gate agents before boarding AND the flight attendants on board say "We have a policy against seat saving." And I'm almost always in Group A, so it's not like the plane is "already getting full".

 

[pooch]

Interesting as the last two times I have flown them, the gate agents before boarding AND the flight attendants on board say "We have a policy against seat saving." And I'm almost always in Group A, so it's not like the plane is "already getting full".

If you do a search on SWA, their boarding procedures have no mention whatsoever of seat saving. The PP is correct. They have no policy on this either for or against. FAs & Gate Agents all handle it as they see fit.

 

[pens4821]

I dunno. Might be a win. I don't understand needing to sit together. I don't mind sitting by myself and reading a book. (For the OP's first-time flier, maybe I'd look at it differently.)

I think every party is different. Our reason for needing (should say wanting as we don’t absolutely need to) to sit beside a family member/friend is because we are bigger. We aren’t huge, and can fit in the seat with armrests down, but it’s just much more comfortable to have them up. I could sit in the aisle or window next to a stranger and be fine, but it would be horrible for me to be in a middle seat between two people I don’t know. This won’t be an issue soon, as I will book the fare that includes seat selection like I do with other airlines.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Interesting as the last two times I have flown them, the gate agents before boarding AND the flight attendants on board say "We have a policy against seat saving." And I'm almost always in Group A, so it's not like the plane is "already getting full".

They don't have one, like I said they leave it up to the employees. Each flight can be potentially handled differently according the employees plus time of day plus airport plus the passengers themselves all up to employees. We fly SWA a lot, it all varies but there's no official policy to fall back on, presently that is.