What is the layout of SW seats? Traveling with 3 kids

[Angelboys3]

We didn't add EBCI to our SW tickets, so I'm hoping we can still get at least early group B boarding. I've flown SW before but it was always alone or just with my husband so finding 2 seats together wasn't too bad. It has been a while, so I can't remember how their seats are set up. Is it 3 on one side and 2 on the other? DH and I are ok sitting a few rows apart as long as we can each sit with one or two of the kids. I'm just concerned that we will only find sets of 2 together and at least one of kids will not be sitting by a parent. How likely is this to happen? Our boys are 7, 9, and 10, and while the 2 older ones would probably be ok sitting alone, I would hate to do that to a fellow traveler as they are quite enthusiastic talkers! I can usually curb that if I'm right there, but I would hate to subject someone else to it at 7am.
Thanks!

 

[dsneprincess]

I think you will be able to get seats together with B boarding group, esp. early B numbers. I would just go online (or have someone else) 24 hours earlier when your boarding window opens & check in then. As a last resort, ask someone to switch. I have seen that done too. Good luck!

 

[jdb in AZ]

I think all SWA planes are 3 and 3 -- at least all their flights we've been on have been that size.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I have flown SW well over a dozen times and every one of their planes I have been on has been 3 seats on each side. They don't line up exactly directly across the isle from one another but they're fairly close. Personally, I think if you get B boarding passes you will be absolutely fine finding seats together...might be in the middle or back of the plane but there will be seats together. I wouldn't sweat it too much.
Safe Travels!

 

[snesguy]

Southwest is 3 and 3.

I think you can add EBCI to your tickets anytime before check-in, even if you bought the tickets but didn't select EBCI you can pull up your reservation and add it (in case you want it).

If you check-in right at T-24 exactly you should be OK.

 

[roaddawg0237]

All Southwest aircraft are a 737 variant of some type. They are all 3 seats on each side. If you make the B boarding group, you will be fine. You can also pay for the Early Bird check-in (10/per person per flight). This will allow you to check-in early for your flights, giving you a better boarding position (although sometimes, not much better than without the Early Bird).

Go to the website seatguru.com for cabin layouts and reviews of each seat on their aircraft. However, with Southwest, they often swap out one 737 variant for another (as they all hold different numbers of passengers) based on sales and other airline considerations. This is why they do not assign seats, so that they can swap aircraft at their leisure.

Good luck!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Go to the website seatguru.com for cabin layouts and reviews of each seat on their aircraft. However, with Southwest, they often swap out one 737 variant for another (as they all hold different numbers of passengers) based on sales and other airline considerations. This is why they do not assign seats, so that they can swap aircraft at their leisure.

Good luck!

Airlines frequently make airplane swaps for a number of different reasons. WN does not have assigned seating not so they can make frequent airplane swaps, but because they have found it is the fastest way to board planes. It all comes down to $$$.

http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/a-message-from-our-ceo-open-season-on-assigned-seating

http://www.quora.com/Southwest-Airlines/Why-doesnt-Southwest-have-assigned-seats

 

[lawnmd]

seatguru.com
Use this website plug in carrier, flight #. It will show you.

 

[SteveMouse]

Don't bother with seat guru for SW- all planes are 3x3. The only time they're not is if a seat is broken and not repaired for takeoff (and of course it's still 3x3- just not usable).

 

[Angelboys3]

Checked in right at the 24 hour mark and got A group boarding for all of us! So relieved

 

[Tara]

Southwest is 3 and 3.

I think you can add EBCI to your tickets anytime before check-in, even if you bought the tickets but didn't select EBCI you can pull up your reservation and add it (in case you want it).

If you check-in right at T-24 exactly you should be OK.

There is a cutoff for adding EBCI - I believe it is 48 hours before the flight. I could be wrong about that, but I do know I had to book something at the last minute and was told EBCI was no longer an option.