Uh oh...no seat assignments on Southwest?!

[dishguy1977]

Hello all,
Booked on Southwest for Jan 5th to go down to Orlando and just realized that there are no seat assignments on Southwest. I'm travelling with my wife and DD4 and DS2, I've been told we get to board between the A and B groups and it SHOULDN'T be a problem but I'm still a bit concerned. Any horror stories out there or should we be OK?

 

[dadof2]

Check in online 24 before flight, you should have no problem getting an "A" boarding pass. I know they changed this recently, when you check in online you get either an A, B or C boarding pass with a numerical number which indicates your place in line. With our DS2 last year we were first to board after wheel chairs.

 

[npmommie]

I was stressed out over this too. But if you don't check in 24 hours prior and don't have an A pass you will get on before the B group.
I called SW to find out where my flights were originating, If they are originating where you get on then so much better, so worst case scenario you get on after the A group which is 60 people, so still you will get seats together.
I have not heard any horror stories, i have heard many more stories that you will not have problems.
and once at the parks, for the trip back, you can go to guest services in any park or at the resort and they will check you in online if you don't have a laptop with you or a web enabled phone.

 

[lindsmom]

We've flown Southwest many times. You have two children under 5 years old, so when you check in you ask for a priority boarding pass. Regardless of your boarding group you get to pre - board. I was very sad when my daughter turned six, because now we can't pre - board

 

[bumbershoot]

We've flown Southwest many times. You have two children under 5 years old, so when you check in you ask for a priority boarding pass. Regardless of your boarding group you get to pre - board. I was very sad when my daughter turned six, because now we can't pre - board

They have just changed that, so families board after A but before B.

To the OP, just check in online exactly 24 hours out so you guys get A boarding passes!

 

[tjmw2727]

Hello all,
Booked on Southwest for Jan 5th to go down to Orlando and just realized that there are no seat assignments on Southwest. I'm travelling with my wife and DD4 and DS2, I've been told we get to board between the A and B groups and it SHOULDN'T be a problem but I'm still a bit concerned. Any horror stories out there or should we be OK?

Don't worry, since moving to DE, Southwest has been our carrier of choice and its been much better than the legacy carriers. Southwest dosen't assign seats its first come first serve, the sooner you check in the lower letter boarding pass you get. They board medical pre-boards, A boarding pass holders, famlies with children 4 and under, B boarding pass holders and then C boarding pass holders. The closer to the 24 hour prior mark you check in online the better your chances for an A pass.

If you get an A pass you board with the A group, if not worst case is you board just after the A group and you will still find seats together. The aircraft seats 124 and there are only 60 A boarding passes.

Here is a link to the SWA website and the boarding procedures:
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/checkin.html
"Effective October 2 in all Southwest cities, an adult traveling with a child four years old or younger will board between the “A” and “B” boarding groups. If you have an “A” boarding pass, please feel free to board with that boarding group. With an all-jet fleet outfitted with comfortable, leather seats, our families with small children are easily accommodated together."

TJ

 

[dishguy1977]

If you get an A pass you board with the A group, if not worst case is you board just after the A group and you will still find seats together. The aircraft seats 124 and there are only 60 A boarding passes.

Great to hear that. I figured it would be OK even if I didn't get an A pass (which I'll certainly try to get!) but it's nice to see the actual #'s to make sure well be fine.

Then again...maybe it wouldn't be so bad to seat DD4 and DS2 by themselves somewhere at the back of the plane...ha ha, just kidding of course!!

 

[LISAVWL]

no need to be concerned. We just flew Southwest last week and my group of 8 were all able to sit together -- 2 in front, and 6 across the aisle. I checked in online at the 24 hour mark and were able to get A boarding passes -- both going and coming home.

In early Nov Southwest is slightly changing their boarding procedures -- you'll no longer have to wait in line according to your A B or C boarding pass. Once you check in online you'll be assigned a group (A B or C) and number. They will board according to these assignments! Over on the transportation board there is a ton of information about this.

Don't worry and have a great trip!

 

[dishguy1977]

Oh yeah...one more thing...is it true all Southwest seats are leather?? Sounds nice!!

 

[bumbershoot]

As far as I have noticed, yes (and for me it's a big EW since we're vegetarian and don't WANT to sit on a cow). But they are narrow. And the leather makes them slippery.

 

[Erin1700]

Hello all,
Booked on Southwest for Jan 5th to go down to Orlando and just realized that there are no seat assignments on Southwest. I'm travelling with my wife and DD4 and DS2, I've been told we get to board between the A and B groups and it SHOULDN'T be a problem but I'm still a bit concerned. Any horror stories out there or should we be OK?

We are going Nov. 28 to Dec. 6 and flying SW. When we get back I will let you know how it worked out! We have 2 kids who at trip time will be newly turned 7 yrs old and 10 months old! We have never flown SW before either.

 

[NotUrsula]

As far as I have noticed, yes (and for me it's a big EW since we're vegetarian and don't WANT to sit on a cow). But they are narrow. And the leather makes them slippery.

All leather seating is one of the things that makes SWA cheaper to fly. It is MUCH lower maintainance than fabric is; much easier to clean and it lasts a lot longer. They are average width for US coach seats, and the pitch is even a bit generous by US coach standards.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Hello all,
Booked on Southwest for Jan 5th to go down to Orlando and just realized that there are no seat assignments on Southwest. I'm travelling with my wife and DD4 and DS2, I've been told we get to board between the A and B groups and it SHOULDN'T be a problem but I'm still a bit concerned. Any horror stories out there or should we be OK?

They are not going to let children that age sit without their parents. And if it appears that you would be split up (one parent with each child), just state emphatically that you CANNOT control the children on your own and apologize in advance for all the screaming and crying and aisle-walking back and forth to Mommy that will ensue. Watch how quickly they reunite your whole family!!!

JUST KIDDING. You will totally get seats together. No sweat. There aren't that many A boarding passes that you would not have seats left together. I fly Southwest exclusively to Orlando and have never had a problem like that and never witnessed one, either.

Or you could just check in online 24 hrs. ahead and BE in the A group. Problem solved!

 

[Ariel8676]

Just try to check in 24 hours in advance and get an "A" boarding pass...for your return flight, some of the front desks will do it for you, or if you have someone at home that can check you in..then you can just print the boarding pass when you get to the airport.
Everything will be fine, we have flown SW a few times and have never had a problem!!

 

[Disney87]

delete

 

[*love*2*shop]

ask away..... flew SW Roundtrip.....

 

[cybrkitn]

Shouldn't be a problem at all. DS was 4 last year when we went on SouthWest. Handicap went first then all those with A seating and parents with children 4 and under went next . Too bad we can't do that next year when we go. DS will be 6 so we will have to make sure we print out our tix at the 24 hour mark in order to get A seating.

 

[SLDL]

I have had my tickets for our Dec. trip since they first became available for purchase & this is the 1st I have heard of this no more pre-boarding for kids. I am glad that I saw this now b/c otherwise I would have been upset at checkin! I have a question....I am traveling w/ DH, DS5 & DD2, so we should be able to board after A, unless we get the A section w/ the 24 hr. check in. But we are also traveling w/ family members who have DD5 & DS17 so they would not get to board w/ us unless they happen to get 'A' w/ 24 hr. check in. I am wondering about saving seats for them, if that is possible or what? Any experience with that?

 

[*love*2*shop]

that is correct...Priority baording is 1st: wheelchairs/other disabilities...then PARENTS & siblings ONLY of children 4 and under, no other relatives allowed-even if grandma is with you etc......You can either HOPE they get A or try to save seats but not sure how happy others would be , you trying to save 4/5 seats etc?? if flight is packed....

 

[tjmw2727]

I have had my tickets for our Dec. trip since they first became available for purchase & this is the 1st I have heard of this no more pre-boarding for kids. I am glad that I saw this now b/c otherwise I would have been upset at checkin! I have a question....I am traveling w/ DH, DS5 & DD2, so we should be able to board after A, unless we get the A section w/ the 24 hr. check in. But we are also traveling w/ family members who have DD5 & DS17 so they would not get to board w/ us unless they happen to get 'A' w/ 24 hr. check in. I am wondering about saving seats for them, if that is possible or what? Any experience with that?

Whenever I book a flight I always sign up for the FF program if I am not already a member and check the box to receive info and updates. IMHO this is important as they will keep you up to date. I received an email early October with the details of the new boarding procedure from SWA. Here is a link to the information-
http://www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/

If you check in 24 hours in advance you should be able to get an A pass for your family. If not - only about 60 people will have boarded before you if you have a child 4 and under. Personally I would not recommend trying to save seats on SWA, since its first come first serve folks get touchy about this as do the FA's. I am sure that if in the worst case senario your friends don't get seats together accomodations will be made so the 5yo will be with a parent. The 17yo however would be expected to sit alone if necessary.

Best advice - check in as close to 24 hours in advance as you can

TJ