How does seating work in Southwest?

How does seating work in Southwest? Southwest does not let you select a seat ahead of time, even for a fee. Instead, the airline boards customers based on their boarding group and position. Once onboard, you can pick any available seat. Because of this, you can never guarantee a window or aisle seat or that you'll sit with your travel companions.

Is Group B on Southwest good?

B boarding group: This is the next best boarding group to be in if you want the chance to select a seat you can live with. However, being near the beginning of the B group is a lot better than the end.

Can you see how full a Southwest flight is?

As such, we do not publish flight loads. If for any reason you're uncomfortable traveling in the current environment and would like to discuss the flight load of your upcoming flight, we strongly encourage you to reach out to our Customer Service Department via any of the options below. Email here.

Why is there no first class on Southwest?

Re: Assigned Seating and First Class Southwest has 52+ years experience that shows that open seating is far more operationally efficient than than assigned seating. Operational efficiency = more flights/day per plane which in turn allows SW to keep fares low.

How do I get early seating on Southwest?

Customers who purchase an Anytime fare will automatically be checked in to their flight 36 hours prior to scheduled departure—that's 12 hours before our traditional 24-hour check-in. You will receive an earlier boarding position, improved seat selection, and earlier access to overhead bins.

Does a list automatically check you in?

Boarding positions will be automatically reserved for you and the Passengers on your reservation 36 hours prior to the flight. You and Passengers on your reservation will still need to check in within 24 hours of scheduled departure to retrieve your boarding passes.

How to get a better seat in Southwest?

Are all seats the same on Southwest?

Except for a few standard differences — like more legroom in the exit row — Southwest seats are all the same size.

Is early bird check in the same as upgraded boarding?

Customers can add EarlyBird Check-In to their reservation up to 36 hours prior to a flight's scheduled departure, when it is available. Upgraded Boarding guarantees an A1-A15 boarding position and, when available, can be added to a reservation up to 30 minutes before a flight's scheduled departure.

How strict is Southwest with family boarding?

Up to two adults traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding. There should be enough open seats to enable the child to sit next to at least one accompanying adult.

Why does Southwest do open seating?

Southwest Airlines has long argued that its unassigned seating policy is popular with passengers and facilitates speedier boarding. That means planes spend less time at the gate and more time in the air generating Southwest money. Over the years, the airline has tinkered with the no-system boarding system.

Can you save seats on Southwest?

Re: Saving Seats Unfortunately, there's no policy to enforce. Officially, Southwest has no policy for or against seat saving, and in practice actively allows it. Reps will even suggest that passengers save seats for later boarding companions.

What is the first thing to do when boarding a plane?

What is the most desirable seat on an airplane?

If you want to experience as little turbulence as possible, it is best to book a seat above the wings. It has been proven that turbulence is least noticeable there. Another good choice is a seat in the front of the plane, as vibrations are also less noticeable there than in the back.

Is Southwest a good airline to fly?

Can my wife board with me on Southwest?

Travel Companions Can Now Board With Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred Members. Anyone on the SAME RESERVATION (that means you'll have the same confirmation number) on Southwest Airlines as someone who holds elite status with Southwest (called A-List or A-List Preferred) can now board with the elite status member.

Does checking in early get you a better seat on Southwest?

Customers who purchase an Anytime fare will automatically be checked in to their flight 36 hours prior to scheduled departure—that's 12 hours before our traditional 24-hour check-in. You will receive an earlier boarding position, improved seat selection, and earlier access to overhead bins.