How is seating arranged on Southwest Airlines?


How is seating arranged on Southwest Airlines? At Southwest, we let you sit where you like. We don't assign seats on our flights, so feel free to sit in any available seat once you board the plane. We have a quick, easy, and efficient boarding process. Look at your boarding pass to find your assigned boarding group (A, B, or C) and boarding position (1 - 60).


How do I get better boarding groups on Southwest?

Purchase a Business Select fare or upgrade to Business Select: Customers who purchase a Business Select fare will get guaranteed A1-A15 boarding. If a Customer did not originally purchase a Business Select fare but wants guaranteed A1-A15 boarding, they can upgrade their flight to Business Select.


How much is early bird check in on Southwest?

EarlyBird Check-In pricing starts at $15. Pricing may vary based on the popularity and length of each (one-way) flight. A credit card must be used for the purchase of EarlyBird Check-In. Please review our optional travel charges for more details.


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As such, we do not publish flight loads.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.


Who is eligible for pre boarding 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.


Are there bathrooms on Southwest flights?

With that being said, on the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, there are two bathrooms in the back of the plane and just one bathroom in the front.


Are all seats on Southwest the same?

Southwest's planes feature a few different types of interiors, but unfortunately there's no way of really knowing which type you'll have until you board. Within each, almost all seats on the plane are pretty much the same, with the exception of the bulkhead and exit row(s).


How does Southwest seat selection work?

At Southwest, we let you sit where you like. We don't assign seats on our flights, so feel free to sit in any available seat once you board the plane. We have a quick, easy, and efficient boarding process. Look at your boarding pass to find your assigned boarding group (A, B, or C) and boarding position (1 - 60).


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.


Does Southwest ever overbook?

Overselling a flight can occur because of weight restrictions and aircraft type changes. We don't overbook as part of our philosophy of Customer-friendly policies. Will I be compensated for an oversold flight? When appropriate, we'll offer compensation when a flight is in an oversale situation.


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.


How do you get an empty seat next to you on a flight?

  1. Book Window & Aisle Seats … & Cross Your Fingers.
  2. Monitor Your Seat Map Before Boarding.
  3. Pay For an Extra Seat to Guarantee More Space.
  4. Block the Middle Seat for a Smaller Fee.
  5. Pick the Right Plane to Avoid Middle Seats Altogether.


How do I make sure no one sits next to me on Southwest?

Check in early. No seats are assigned on Southwest Airlines, but boarding positions are assigned at check-in. The earlier you check in, the better position you will secure for yourself. Check-In begins 24 hours prior to your departure time.


What are the best seats on a plane?

The best seats on a plane
  • Best seat for minimizing the effects of turbulence: A seat over the wing.
  • Best seat for peace and quiet: A seat near the front.
  • Best seat for legroom: A bulkhead or exit-row seat.
  • Best seat for sleeping: A window seat in a bulkhead row.


How do I save on seat selection?

Opt for Off-Peak Travel During peak travel seasons, airlines tend to charge more for seat selection due to increased demand. To avoid these extra costs, consider traveling during off-peak periods. Not only will you potentially save money on seat selection, but you might also find cheaper overall fares.


What is the middle seat trick?

A strategy that travelers have been trying for years to varying degrees of success is the middle seat trick — when checking in online, two people traveling together will each select the aisle and window seats in a three-seat row and hope that the middle seat remains open.


Is Group B good on Southwest?

If you have a B group boarding position, the chances are good that you'll still be able to get a window or aisle seat or find 2 seats together if you're traveling with a companion. Hot Tip: If you are in the B group (or even one of the first numbers in the C group), head to the back of the plane.


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.