Southwest Airlines if I Check in Again Will It Change My Boarding Group?
The Southwest Airlines boarding process is a do perhaps more than polarizing than whether pineapple belongs on pizza. But 1 thing's for sure: The Southwest boarding process is certainly unique.
There are no assigned seats. At that place's no guarantee you'll go that coveted window seat behind the go out row (which ways no seat direct in front of you). There'due south no guarantee you'll stop up seated side by side to your bestie.
Yet information technology also ways you get to pick your seat from whatever is available in one case on the aeroplane. If the guy in row three has already whipped out his tuna sandwich, maybe you opt for a seat at least a few rows back.
The Southwest boarding process is also theoretically more than efficient (at least according to MythBusters ) than nearly boarding systems with assigned seats.
How does Southwest boarding piece of work?
Rather than assigning seats to passengers, Southwest has an open up seating style. Every bit far as determining who gets to choice their seats in which guild, here'southward how it works:
A Southwest boarding group (either A, B, or C) and position (1-lx) will be assigned to y'all at bank check-in and it'll be printed on your boarding laissez passer. If you end upwards with A1, so it's your lucky mean solar day — you'll likely get to be the commencement passenger on the plane. In that location may be some exceptions for people with certain disabilities, pre-boarders or people on an earlier connecting flight.
If you end up with C60, well, hopefully, y'all're fine with the heart seat almost the bath.
As the gate amanuensis prepares the plane for boarding, they'll call boarding groups (e.g., Grouping A, 1-30). From there, you lot'll take to head to one of the numbered posts at the gate surface area, cleaved up into smaller blocks (e.g., position 1-5). Stand between the corresponding posts based on your boarding position.
If you really want to get precise, you might enquire the people effectually you what their boarding positions are so you tin can make sure that you lot're truly the third to board if your number is A3. Simply that's but if you tin can't maybe take a chance your beau passenger with position A4 taking the seat you lot wanted. Otherwise, y'all'll board within five people of the boarding position y'all were assigned.
Once onboard, pick any open seat, stow your stuff in the overhead bin or nether the seat in front of you, and get set for takeoff.
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What is the Southwest boarding social club?
Here's the order of Southwest's boarding groups, from first to terminal:
The A group
The first set of people to board Southwest flights are people with seats in A1-A15, which is typically filled with Southwest aristocracy flyers and those who paid extra for their tickets or boarding. The balance of the A group follows with A16-60.
Preboarding
Southwest allows people who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability, who need boarding help, extra time, or who need help stowing an assistive device to board get-go. To be a part of that group, you'll have to request preboarding from a Southwest customer service agent at the ticket desk or departure gate.
Expect to be asked what Southwest calls "fact-finding questions" to decide if you encounter the qualifications for pre-boarding. If you do, you'll receive a boarding pass with a specific preboarding designation, and yous'll be immune to preboard with ane companion. If you're traveling with more than one other person, they'll typically have to board with their original grouping.
People who are preboarding are not allowed to occupy an exit row seat.
Families and active-duty military in compatible
If y'all're traveling with a kid six years former or younger, you lot and up to 1 other developed tin lath during Family unit Boarding, which occurs before the B grouping. Active armed forces traveling in compatible may also board during this fourth dimension.
Groups B and C
Anybody else now gets to board, with the B group going adjacent. And for large and full flights, there's a C group. Both groups board in numerical order starting with position i and moving to position 60.
How to go your Southwest boarding position
At that place are a few means to go an early Southwest boarding grouping position, but many of them come up at an extra cost. If yous don't want to pay anything more than what the Wanna Get Away or Someday fare already costs, your boarding position will be decided based on the order y'all've checked in.
Yous can check in online at Southwest.com or on the app get-go 24 hours before your flying's scheduled difference time. Or, you can bank check in at the airport or with an amanuensis at the airport. But, the longer yous wait, the worse boarding position y'all'll have.
Nerdy tip: Fix a calendar reminder or phone timer for that 24-60 minutes mark (maybe fifty-fifty a few minutes early on to get the webpage loaded and logged in) to make sure you get as early a boarding position as possible.
How to guarantee an A group position on Southwest
It is possible to guarantee an A1-fifteen group position on Southwest, but it'south going to cost you. Here's how:
Buy a Business Select fare
Business Select fares come with many perks including Fly By priority lane admission, a complimentary premium drink, and yes, guaranteed receipt of an A1-A15 boarding position.
Business organization Select fares are not cheap. They can frequently be multiple times more expensive than Wanna Get Away fares, but they tend to be a better bargain than Southwest'southward eye tier called Anytime fares.
If yous're willing to pay for a seat upgrade, information technology's almost always meliorate to opt for Business concern Select over Anytime fares because you'll get benefits similar elevated points earning and the guarantee of a good seat.
Purchase upgraded boarding when available
While non quite a guarantee, Southwest allows you to buy whatsoever remaining A1-A15 boarding position on the day of travel at the ticket desk-bound or gate for an extra fee. It's $xxx, $40, or $50 per segment depending on your itinerary. These positions are not assigned to regular ticket customers once the 24-hr bank check-in window begins, and then if the flying is low on elite flyers or Business Select passengers, in that location may exist some bachelor for purchase.
Use a Southwest credit card to get complimentary upgraded boarding (when available)
The process is the aforementioned as anyone else purchasing upgraded boarding. Y'all'll take to buy it on the day of travel at the ticket desk or gate, and it's simply for sale if seats are available. But no matter the price — whether $30 or $50 — you lot'll get that four times a twelvemonth in the course of a credit reimbursement.
Those boardings can be purchased all at one time or for different flights, then you could opt to upgrade your posse once or give yourself the VIP treatment a few times throughout the year.
How to get a expert seat on Southwest
These choices won't guarantee an A boarding position, but they'll still put yous ahead of others who try to cheque in online 24 hours out or at the airport ahead of their flight:
Have Southwest condition
Customers with Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred or A-List Member condition go their boarding position automatically reserved 36 hours before difference. That's before normal check-in begins, putting them ahead of everyone else who has to wait for that 24-hour window. The benefit also applies to other travelers on the same reservation as A-List Preferred or A-Listing Members.
While holding Southwest status is not a guarantee of an A position (e.g., if everyone else on the flight also had A-List Preferred or A-Listing condition), information technology volition get you the primeval position bachelor and most frequently lands you in the A1-A15 positions.
Buy EarlyBird Check-In
EarlyBird Check-In is an add-on to your ticket that automatically checks you in 36 hours before the flying's scheduled difference time. That puts yous in the running for the all-time boarding position next to the folks with Southwest status or Business Select fares, and ahead of everyone else who has to expect for the 24-hour window.
EarlyBird Check-In typically costs $xv-$25 i-way per passenger on meridian of your fare price.
As far as how the order of EarlyBird Check-In is decided amongst everyone who pays for information technology: Boarding positions are assigned based on the time that EarlyBird Check-In was bought relative to passengers inside the same fare form. So Anytime passengers with EarlyBird will be checked in ahead of Wanna Get Away passengers with EarlyBird.
EarlyBird does not guarantee a boarding position, simply it does increase your odds of getting in a better boarding position. Often, you'll find yourself in A20 or amend with EarlyBird bank check-in.
Southwest seating chart
If y'all're trying to decide what's a good seat on your Southwest flying, head over to Seatguru. One time in that location, blazon in your travel engagement and flight number to cull your flight.
Oft, Seatguru volition show several aircraft configurations for a specific flying. For Southwest, Seatguru features three shipping seating charts: Boeing 737 MAX 8, Boeing 737-700 and Boeing 737-800. Brand certain the aircraft type you're on matches the result provided by Seatguru.
Later you lot've confirmed that, accept a look at the seat reviews. The seats on the airplane will either be green, xanthous, blood-red or white. Green means it's a bang-up seat (unremarkably with actress legroom), yellow means there is some drawback (like limited recline), cerise shows several drawbacks (such as a misaligned window and near the bathroom).
Seats that are white take no pros and no cons, they are only regular seats for the motel.
When you're non happy with your Southwest boarding number
If you're cool with checking your luggage should the overhead bins become too stuffed, and your life isn't over if you get the centre seat, so don't panic if y'all get in the C grouping.
Just if you need to be amongst the beginning to board, and y'all checked in tardily enough that you ended up with a bad boarding position, your best bet is to get to the drome early and try to pay the $30-$50 for an A1-fifteen boarding position.
A proficient way to tell whether that A1-15 boarding position is nevertheless bachelor is by checking the seats still available for your flight. If there are Business Select fares left, then it's likely in that location are A1-15 spots leftover too.
If Business Select is sold out, yous're probably out of luck on purchasing upgraded boarding. Next fourth dimension, consider purchasing EarlyBird Check-In or booking a higher fare class to begin with. Or, continue it simple and accept that the middle seat isn't all that bad.
On the bright side, it's one less person you have to bug when y'all need a bathroom break than if you lot had taken the window seat anyway.
Southwest boarding groups
Southwest offers three boarding groups (A, B or C), and a position i-lx+, which become assigned at check-in. While the Southwest boarding process can be confusing at first glance, remember this: Check in exactly 24 hours earlier your flight, and most of the time you'll exist OK.
Or, be prepared to pony upwards some extra cash for expensive tickets or upgraded boarding passes. Know which of your credit cards may offer airline credits to offset these fees, equally they tin get you out of a jam when yous miss the bank check-in deadline.
If you're traveling with a larger group with multiple reservation numbers, everyone needs to handle their business and check in separately if you want whatever shot at getting boarding positions almost each other.
Frequently asked questions
Can my family sit together on Southwest?
Southwest follows an open seating style, meaning there are no assigned seats. You lot'll be assigned a boarding group (either A, B, or C) and position (one-sixty+) upon check-in, which determines your boarding lodge. Once on board, you choose your seat. If you're last to board, you likely won't get to sit with your family.
However, Southwest has a solution to improve ensure families tin can sit together. If you're traveling with a child half dozen years old or younger, upward to two adults may board during Southwest's Family Boarding menstruation, betwixt A and B boarding (unless both the child and adults have A boarding passes and can board in that before group).
Is EarlyBird Check-In worth information technology for families?
For an additional fee, EarlyBird Check-In automatically checks you lot in ahead of the traditional 24-hour check-in. While information technology'due south not a guarantee of the coveted A boarding group, you'll terminate up in an before boarding position than if you lot had not paid for information technology.
Because families with children 6 and nether can board before the B grouping anyway, paying for EarlyBird Check-In is usually not worth it for those families.
However, if you have children older than six just you lot don't desire to hazard that your family can't sit together (and you don't want to bargain with request someone else to trade seats on your 8-year-old'due south behalf), it can make sense to pay for EarlyBird Check-In.
What determines your boarding group on Southwest?
Your Southwest boarding group is determined upon check-in. The earlier yous check in, the earlier your boarding group.
Typically, you lot'll check in for your flight online beginning 24 hours earlier the scheduled departure time or anytime thereafter. If you lot don't, y'all can cheque in and get your boarding pass at the drome through the Southwest ticket counter or, if bachelor, a cocky-service kiosk.
However, you tin can secure an earlier boarding position past purchasing a Business Select fare, purchasing EarlyBird Check-In that automatically reserves your boarding position 36 hours before departure, or by purchasing an upgraded boarding pass from the counter on the twenty-four hour period of travel (when available).
Can y'all sit down anywhere on Southwest?
Generally, yes. Since Southwest-operated flights have open seating, yous simply choose any available seat once on board.
In that location are a few exceptions, such as passengers who preboard may non occupy an go out seat.
Do seniors become priority boarding on Southwest Airlines?
Seniors do not get priority boarding on Southwest.
There is priority boarding for customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability or who demand assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. In that instance, you'll board before Family unit Boarding, between the A and B groups.
Can my family sit together on Southwest?
Southwest follows an open seating style, meaning there are no assigned seats. You lot'll be assigned a boarding group (either A, B, or C) and position (1-threescore+) upon check-in, which determines your boarding order. One time on lath, you choose your seat. If yous're last to lath, you probable won't become to sit with your family unit.
All the same, Southwest has a solution to better ensure families can sit together. If yous're traveling with a child 6 years old or younger, up to two adults may board during Southwest's Family Boarding catamenia, between A and B boarding (unless both the kid and adults accept A boarding passes and tin lath in that earlier group).
Is EarlyBird Check-In worth it for families?
For an additional fee, EarlyBird Check-In automatically checks you lot in ahead of the traditional 24-hr check-in. While it's not a guarantee of the coveted A boarding grouping, you'll end up in an earlier boarding position than if y'all had not paid for information technology.
Because families with children vi and under can board before the B group anyway, paying for EarlyBird Check-In is unremarkably not worth it for those families.
However, if you lot have children older than 6 but you don't want to risk that your family can't sit together (and you don't want to deal with request someone else to merchandise seats on your eight-yr-old'due south behalf), information technology can make sense to pay for EarlyBird Check-In.
What determines your boarding group on Southwest?
Your Southwest boarding group is determined upon check-in. The earlier you bank check in, the earlier your boarding group.
Typically, you'll bank check in for your flight online beginning 24 hours before the scheduled departure time or anytime thereafter. If you don't, y'all can check in and become your boarding pass at the airport through the Southwest ticket counter or, if available, a self-service kiosk.
However, you can secure an earlier boarding position by purchasing a Concern Select fare, purchasing EarlyBird Check-In that automatically reserves your boarding position 36 hours before deviation, or by purchasing an upgraded boarding laissez passer from the counter on the 24-hour interval of travel (when available).
Can you sit down anywhere on Southwest?
More often than not, yes. Since Southwest-operated flights accept open seating, yous just choose whatsoever bachelor seat one time on board.
There are a few exceptions, such every bit passengers who preboard may not occupy an get out seat.
Do seniors get priority boarding on Southwest Airlines?
Seniors do non get priority boarding on Southwest.
There is priority boarding for customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability or who need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. In that instance, you'll lath before Family Boarding, between the A and B groups.
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Source: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/how-to-hack-southwests-boarding-groups
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