What is the advantage of early bird check-in on Southwest Airlines?


What is the advantage of early bird check-in on Southwest Airlines? 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.


Why Southwest has no assigned seats?

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 seniors board early on Southwest?

Do seniors get 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 need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device.


How do I get my boarding pass with early bird check-in on Southwest?

Customers with eligible reservations may check in online at www.southwest.com or using the Southwest® app available here. Once you have checked in for your flight, you can print your boarding pass online, download via the Southwest app, or choose to receive a text.


Do you get snacks on Southwest?

Southwest does serve small snacks, the exact items depend on how long the flight is, but usually some peanuts and pretzels are available along with a selection of beverages, and if you ask nicely the flight attendants are most often happy to give you extra or provide a drink refill.


What is the best tier on Southwest?

There are two elite status levels: A-List and A-List Preferred. A-List is earned by taking 25 one-way flights or earning 35,000 tier-qualifying points. A-List Preferred is earned by flying 50 one-way flights or earning 70,000 tier-qualifying points. How do you become an A-lister on Southwest?


Do you still need to check-in with early bird check-in?

With the EarlyBird option, Southwest reserves a boarding spot for passengers for a fee up to 36 hours before their departure time, but they would still need to check in to get their boarding pass.


What seats on a plane are the best?

What are the best seats on a plane?
  • Best seat for a smooth ride: A seat over the wing.
  • Best seat for sleepers: A window seat near the front.
  • Best seat for maximum legroom: An aisle seat in the second exit row.


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 I keep my seat empty on Southwest?

Southwest doesn't pre-assign seats, but if you board early and get the one you want and the flight isn't sold out, you can improve your odds that the seat next to you stays vacant – by making it unappealing for someone to choose to sit down next to you. Always ask if the flight is full when you board!


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

How to board a plane: steps and tips for success
  1. Step 1: Reconfirm your flight 24 hours in advance online. ...
  2. Step 2: Get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. ...
  3. Step 3: Drop your bags off or wait in line if you need extra help. ...
  4. Step 4: Keep your I.D. ...
  5. Step 5: Go through TSA screening procedures.


How to keep the seat next to you empty on southwest airlines?

4 Ways To Get A Free Empty Seat Next To You On Southwest Airlines
  1. Crumpled tissues. ...
  2. Take a window seat and a aisle seat if you're traveling with someone, or conspire with the other person who was in your row when you sat down. ...
  3. Seat spreader. ...
  4. Too eager seatmate.


Are all Southwest seats 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 do I get priority boarding on Southwest?

How to get Southwest priority boarding
  1. Purchase EarlyBird Check-In.
  2. Purchase Upgraded Boarding.
  3. Book the right fare class.
  4. Carry select Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards.
  5. Reach elite status with Southwest.
  6. Travel as a family.
  7. Use your military benefits.


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.


Who gets priority boarding?

All passengers flying in a premium cabin get priority boarding. But the group you'll be assigned to depends on which class of service you're flying. Passengers in the front cabin board with Group 1.


Is it worth upgrading Southwest boarding?

Who should do it? A ticket upgrade may make sense if any of the following are true: You like the idea of boarding the plane quickly so you can choose your preferred seat and are guaranteed an A1 through A15 boarding position. You want to maximize the Rapid Rewards points that you earn.