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.
Is there a way to get a better boarding position on Southwest?
When available, the Upgraded Boarding position option is located below “View Boarding Pass.” Once selected and as available, Upgraded Boarding can be added to one or more flight segments in the itinerary. On Southwest.com, navigate to the “Check-In” window and enter the confirmation number.
Can I upgrade seating on Southwest after check-in?
NOTE: Upgraded Boarding can only be purchased within 24 hours of the flight's departure time, depending on availability. Upgraded Boarding sales will end 30 minutes before departure. EarlyBird® Check-In: EarlyBird Check-In offers automatic check-in before our traditional 24-hour check-in.
Does check-in time affect boarding group Southwest?
Even if you check in exactly 24 hours ahead, you probably won't be the first passenger assigned a boarding position. That's because Southwest offers “EarlyBird” check-in, which automatically reserves a boarding position for the passenger 36 hours ahead of departure for a fee.
Is Southwest Early Bird check-in the same as upgraded boarding?
If you purchase a Southwest Anytime fare, an EarlyBird Check-In is included. You'll be assigned a boarding position 36 hours prior to departure. Passengers who book or upgrade their Southwest ticket to a Business Select fare are guaranteed an Upgraded Boarding position in the A1 through A15 group.
What boarding position will I get with early bird check-in?
Rather than being assigned a seat, you're assigned a boarding position, so folks with an A on their boarding pass board before those with a C. There are many ways to guarantee (or at least improve your chances of getting) an A next to your name.
What boarding position do you get with Southwest Early Bird?
The best positions following A1-A15: Usually assigned to A-List Preferred/A-List Members and passengers with EarlyBird Check-In. Southwest states that these distinctions in and of themselves do not guarantee an A boarding position, but they do ensure that you will receive the earliest position available.
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.
The “C” boarding group is the last (and worst) boarding group to be in when flying Southwest. It almost guarantees you will get a stuck in a middle seat and you might have trouble finding a spot for your bag in the overhead bin.
If you've read these boards, you know that saving seats is a controversial topic. For the record: Southwest does NOT have a policy prohibiting the practice. Due to it's boarding prcess, Southwest cannot assign seats to family members.
New for 2022, EarlyBird Check-In is included with the purchase of an Anytime fare. 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.
Typically, if you have a boarding position under B30 you should be able to find a window or aisle seat. The further back in the plane you decide to sit, the more likely you will find a window or aisle seat. When do standbys board? Standby passengers will be the last to board.
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.
If you're looking for a quick and easy boarding experience, there's one airline head and shoulders above the rest and that's Southwest. Southwest's boarding procedures are nearly 47% faster than the traditional “back to front” boarding procedures favored by most airlines.
On Southwest it is an open seating policy meaning you can sit in any open seat. With B1 you should have no problem getting a window or aisle at mid cabin or towards the back of the plane. B1 is not bad as there would be pre boarders, family boarders and up to 60 people (from A group) in front of you.
As far as determining who gets to pick their seats in which order, here's how it works: A Southwest boarding group (either A, B, or C) and position (1-60) will be assigned to you at check-in and it'll be printed on your boarding pass. Group A boards first, then group B, and afterwards group C.
In terms of low-cost models, I much prefer Southwest. They have an ethical approach to low fares, reflecting what the actual flight costs to operate while still undercutting the competition. Their staff are well looked after and passengers enjoy flying with them.
B-36 is a great number. When your number comes up, you get your choice of whatever seat is not occupied on the plane. If you really want to sit near the front, you may have to pick a middle.
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.
Those assigned Zone A (listed on your boarding pass) are the first group of passengers to board the plane, but EarlyBird DOES NOT guarantee you Zone A boarding. It simply guarantees you get checked in 12 hours ahead of everyone who does not purchase EarlyBird, increasing your chances of boarding earlier.
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).
Southwest doesn't offer business or first-class seats, and while the more expensive fares do come with a few extra perks, they aren't worth the added cost. The main advantages of Business Select fares are that they're fully refundable and they earn more points.
