How early should I get to the airport with Southwest?


How early should I get to the airport with Southwest? When do I need to arrive at the airport for my Southwest Airlines (WN) flight? Suggested arrival time: 2 hours before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights. 3 hours before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US.


Can I get a better boarding position on Southwest?

Upgraded Boarding gives Customers the ability to upgrade their boarding position to A1-A15 24 hours before the flight depending on availability. This allows our Customers the opportunity to be among the first to board the aircraft, pick their preferred available seat, and access the overhead bin space.


Do I really need to arrive 3 hours before a flight?

The general guideline on how early to get to the airport for a domestic flight is 2 hours. However, those traveling at a very busy time of year or out of a large airport might want to allow more time.


Is Southwest boarding order random?

Southwest follows an open seating style, meaning there are no assigned seats. You'll be assigned a boarding group (either A, B, or C) and position (1-60+) upon check-in, which determines your boarding order. Once on board, you choose your seat. If you're last to board, you likely won't get to sit with your family.


How early should I arrive for a Southwest flight?

It's recommended that you arrive at least two hours before your scheduled departure time. Though, some airports may recommend more than two hours before. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time, so you can get through TSA with time to spare.


How early in the morning does Southwest start checking in luggage bags?

Check-in counters and baggage check can be done 2 hours prior to the first departure of the day. There may be a departure before yours so you have at least 2 hours before departure that you can check bags.


Is it worth it to pay for early boarding on Southwest?

If you'd rather have money in your pocket than landing the seat of your choice, it's probably worth it to skip EarlyBird Check-In. Budget-minded group travelers. While $15 to $25 may not seem like much to pay for early boarding, it can quickly add up if you're traveling with a group.


How much faster is Southwest boarding?

Southwest Airline's boarding method – no assigned seats, no assigned order – proved to be the fastest, at 14.07 minutes, which was a whopping 47 percent faster than back-to-front.


What is the fastest way to check-in on Southwest?

If you purchase EarlyBird Check-In, we'll automatically check you in and reserve your boarding position 36 hours before you flight's departure. This is before our general 24-hour check-in begins.


How long before a flight should I be at the airport UK?

When to arrive. We recommend getting to the airport three hours before your flight if you're travelling internationally, or two hours if you're travelling domestically or to Europe.


Why should you be at the airport 2 hours early?

Usually you're advised to be there at least 2 hours earlier to have enough to time for the check-in, luggage on-boarding, security check and other steps needed for you to be ready to attend the flight. Of course, you're totally free to reach the airport last minute, but you'll miss your journey.


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.


Should I check in online or at the airport?

Checking in online is far more convenient than checking in at the airport. However, if you have to check in special luggage such as bulky goods or a pet, you should rather use the classic method.


What qualifies you for preboard on Southwest?

Preboarding is available for Customers with disabilities who need a specific seat to accommodate a disability, need assistance boarding the aircraft, or need to stow an assistive device.


How early do I really need to get to the airport?

How early should you arrive at the airport? Airlines generally recommend arriving at the airport at least three hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic flight.


Does Southwest know if you board out of order?

When you scan it the computer the agent is monitoring shows your boarding position. Whether the agent chooses to act on it or not is up to them. Typically if you're really out of position (like a B while A's are boarding) they will ask you to step aside and board when called.


Do I need to print my boarding pass?

Depending on the requirements of airport authorities, you will need to present a mobile boarding pass, a paper boarding pass printed out by you or a paper boarding pass picked up from the check-in desk.


What time should I be at the airport for a 7am flight?

Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.


What time should I get to the airport for a 6 am flight?

If you book a 6AM domestic flight, for example, you'll need to arrive at the airport by 4AM. Depending on how far you live from the airport, this could mean getting on the road around 3AM or 3:30AM; traffic should be minimal at this time, as should check-in and security lines.