The 1st 45 people to check in are assigned an A pass. Next 45 a B pass and the rest are C passes. There are 4 lines at each gate: Preboard, A, B, C. Preboard is for people who need assistance (must get a special card for this) and most times, but not always, people with children age 4 and under.
When it's time to load the plane, preboards go first then A, then B, then C.
There's no 1st class and the planes are always 3 x 3. Kids under 15 or adults that are responsible for a child cannot sit in an exit row. Other than that, any available seat is yours for the taking.
We've used them about 6 times now and we've never been separated from our kids even when we had a B pass once.
You can check in online 24 hrs. before your flight. I try to do it as close to the 24 hr. point as possible to get A passes.
It sounds complicated but once you see it, it really is simple and goes quickly. I don't miss assigned seats at all and considering they just offered a Ding fare for $34 from Philly to MCO, I will always look to SW first for our flights.
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