What does the "A" mean (SWA) for people checking in online?

[Lorix2]

What does the "A" category actually mean once you check in online for you're boarding passes? You have priority seating so to speak? And "B" and "C" also?

Thanks for clarifying, haven't flown since 1986.

 

[cranbiz]

Sw does not assign seats and SW boards by groups.

They have Preboard and then groups A,B and C.

They will start with Preboards and then board group A first, group B second and then group C last.

What this means is that the preboards (legit or not) board first and pick their seats, then group A picks their seats, etc. Group C passengers will have the most difficulty in sitting together as C passengers get the leftovers.

If you want everyone to sit together, then print your BP's at 12:01am, that way you will get an A BP. Get to the airport early and into the A line.

 

[Lorix2]

thank you Cranbiz, there will be 6 of us so I'm a little nervous about it.

I appreciate you're help, this seems easy to do.

 

[inkkognito]

In addition to printing your passes early, you may also want to get in the A line as soon as you get to the gate. My husband and I are typically within the first dozen people in the A line and have a great choice of seats (we prefer towards the front of exit row), even if there have been lots of pre-boards. (If you like exit rows, in theory pre-boards should not take them because they either have small kids or are disabled, both of which disqualifies them.)
Barb

 

[kaytieeldr]

They will start with Preboards and then board group A first, group B second and then group C last.

What this means is that the preboards (legit or not) board first

You mean like the passenger on "Airline" yesterday with the invisible wife?

 

[dznyntnh]

The 'A' means that I will be sleeping to whole flight to make up for staying awake until midnight.

Seriously, in addition to getting your 'A' ticket. Get to the airport early and get in that 'A' line right away.

I always jump right in pull out my book and iPod and just sit there until boarding time.

 

[Pinnie]

The 'A' means that I will be sleeping to whole flight to make up for staying awake until midnight.

Seriously, in addition to getting your 'A' ticket. Get to the airport early and get in that 'A' line right away.

I always jump right in pull out my book and iPod and just sit there until boarding time.

You don't always have to be at the front of the A line to snag an Exit Row seat. Yesterday at BNA, DH and I decided NOT to get in line until they were calling for the A row so we boarded at the end of the As . DH and I snagged the double seat EXIT ROW anyway!!!

pinnie

 

[inkkognito]

Wow, Pinnie, that was lucky! I guess it depends on the flight. My husband takes one SW flight pretty regularly, and there is always the same little group of people (him included) at the head of the A line...they all head right to that exit row and take the same seats every flight (so far they've been lucky that no one else has been in front of them).
However, if you have two singles in the window and aisle in the exit, a late person usually gets the middle.
Barb

 

[Lorix2]

Thanks again for more info...but why is good or not good to get the exit row seats? I"m not sure if this is an advantage or disadvantage of obtaining these seats?

 

[Pinnie]

Exit rows have more leg room. BUT you have to be physically able to perform the "duties" in case of an evacuation by removing the door and assisting passengers in the event of an emergency. FAA regulations state that NO ONE under the age of 15 can sit in an exit row, so that precludes families with small children.

pinnie

 

[Lorix2]

thank you Pinnie

 

[Honeybehr1]

If you want everyone to sit together, then print your BP's at 12:01am, that way you will get an A BP. Get to the airport early and into the A line.

Is that the day of your flight? I am assuming so.

 

[Lorix2]

Honeybehr - yes, that is correct.

 

[MrsMud]

Sw does not assign seats and SW boards by groups.

...
If you want everyone to sit together, then print your BP's at 12:01am, that way you will get an A BP. Get to the airport early and into the A line.

I think that it used to be you could only print the passes online if you are flying solo? Or you have to have all your travelers on separate ressies? Am I remembering correctly?

 

[gw_lit]

I think that it used to be you could only print the passes online if you are flying solo? Or you have to have all your travelers on separate ressies? Am I remembering correctly?

Yes, when Southwest originally rolled out online check-in, you either had to have a single reservation, or if you had a reservation with multiple people, you had to have them separated to individual reservations in order to do online check-in. Fortunately they've upgraded the system and you can now check-in your entire party (under one reservation) online. If you booked a senior citizen or youth fare (which can only be purchased by phone), you still won't be able to check-in online.

 

[MrsMud]

Thanks for the reply, gw_lit. That's great news. We have 5 flying together, and although it wouldn't be the end of the world if my husband and I split up, I will not sit either of my daughters next to strangers. Also, we are taking my kids out of school early as it is, so I really wouldn't want to have to be at the airport 3 hours ahead of time to get decent seats. I will definitely be checking us in online early that morning! Thanks for the tip!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We had something happen when we flew Southwest last week. We arrived very early, and the seating was right up to the rope where you wait. Hubby and I had the first two seats. About an hour later, this lady comes up and puts one of her bags between us and the rope and then goes and sits in a seat further back. When they act like they are going to start boarding, she then came and stood where she had put her bag and brought her husband along with her. I thought that was pretty rude. It wasn't worth a scene, but I thought it was pretty nervy.

 

[inkkognito]

That's when you report the "unattended bag" to the personnel.

I have also seen people just kick bags out of the way (haven't ever done it myself though...I haven't seen that many people leaving bags overall).

Barb

 

[dthogue]

Silly questions, but how do you know where the "A" line forms???

 

[RweTHEREyet]

That's when you report the "unattended bag" to the personnel.

I have also seen people just kick bags out of the way (haven't ever done it myself though...I haven't seen that many people leaving bags overall).

Barb

Funny you say that, I commented to hubby that I wondered what she would do if I reported that bag as unattended. He looked like he couldn't believe I would cause the trouble. However, if she had left the area, I would have done exactly that.