5 Tips for Booking the Best Seats on Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is often viewed as being either loved or hated. No one likes to be in the middle, and even fewer people choose to stand there. Listen up, those of you who have been wondering how to choose a seat on Southwest Airlines. Everything you need to know is listed here.
Because of Southwest’s unusual open seating boarding policy, some customers refuse to fly with the airline. Finding a nice seat on Southwest might be a hassle, and you’ll need to be on top of your hustling game. Moreover, everyone has their own idea of what constitutes a comfortable seat.
You should have a strategy in place before you board. In order to avoid being stuck in the middle, consider the following strategies.
Using Southwest Airlines Open Seating Policy
If this is your first time flying Southwest and you’re confused about where to sit, you’re not alone.
There is no assigned seating on flights southwest airlines. Passengers will not know in advance where they will be sitting; instead, they will be placed in one of three boarding groups (A, B, or C) and given a number from 1 to 60 in which to enter the plane.
When you board the plane and in what boarding group determines what is the southwest airlines flight status and how many seats are available to you.
Once upon a time, it was a true free for all. Signs with one of the three letters were distributed by the airline. People would wait in line under a letter for hours before an aircraft departed, just to get a better seat.
In the middle of the 2000s, Southwest realized the human trafficking southwest airlines and this wasn’t a good look and instituted boarding positions. The lines have been numbered, and now southwest airlines pilot hot mic speak then everyone must arrange themselves according to their numerical position in line.
The trick to securing a good seat on the southwest airlines flights is to board in the first half of the passengers unless you have your heart set on sitting near the bulkhead or in an exit row aisle or window.
The trick to securing a good seat on southwest airlines flights is to board in the first half of the passengers unless you have your heart set on sitting near the bulkhead or in an exit row aisle or window.
How Do You Define a “Good” Seat on Southwest Airlines?
The question that all this seating debate prompts is, “Which seats are excellent ones?” Most of the plane’s seats look and feel the same. There are no extra legroom seats, and no row has any advantages over another than proximity to an exit.
The finest Southwest seat is the one that best suits the passenger. Those with connecting flights may prefer the front rows in order to quickly exit the plane, while others may rush straight for the back in search of seats closer together. Some passengers move to the rear of the plane in the hopes of finding a middle seat available.
Before settling in, I find it helpful to know what percentage of the plane is already occupied. While Southwest gate agents may indicate that a flight is full, in my experience they typically exaggerate the number of passengers on board so that they can board as quickly as possible. Seeing how many people are still at the gate area after the A Group has been called is one rough indicator. Assuming just half of the passengers at the gate wait in line for A boarding, there should be many available seats.
Southwest Airlines: A Comprehensive Guide to All Their Oddball Benefits and Secrets
When flying on a trip that is mostly full, check southwest airlines flight status and picking a seat near the plane’s front center can help you find one with more space in the middle. However, when there are many unoccupied seats, the plane’s back section can feel like more space.
Check-in ASAP
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Southwest passengers must check in at least 24 hours before departure, a policy they adhere to strictly. Sometimes I’ll even go so far as to set a minute-specific alarm!
Launch the Southwest airlines app and southwest airlines jobs on your mobile device, fire up your laptop, or access the Southwest website. It’s imperative that you hit the Check In button as soon as possible and listen to the southwest airlines pilot hot mic, as the most desirable boarding positions tend to sell out within the first few minutes of the flight’s opening.
Some of the Southwest flyers I know always make sure to get there at least five minutes before the airport doors open. Upon reaching the 24-hour mark, they will enter their details into the website’s check-in form and submit their check-in request.
Opportunity to Register Early
Do you worry that you won’t be able to check in online until the last possible minute before your flight? Southwest offers an early check-in option for an additional fee. Each passenger is charged a one-way rate of $15.00 for using the EarlyBird Check-In option. For a fee, Southwest will check you in and provide you a boarding pass up to 36 hours before your flight. This service is called EarlyBird Check-In. Even while Southwest’s EarlyBird Check-In doesn’t guarantee an A boarding slot, it’s safe to assume that you’ll be among the first passengers to board the plane.
Have You Heard Anything About a Family Boarding Policy from Southwest Airlines?
Have children? To your good fortune. A parent or guardian with a kid aged 6 or less is permitted to board after Group A has boarded but before Group B begins boarding during the designated Family Boarding period. A child and an adult should board in their respective “A” boarding groups, but this shortcut allows families to sit together if at least one member of the party has a boarding group B1 or later.
- If you’re running late, you should just walk up to the front of the Southwest boarding line.
- It doesn’t take long for things to move along once Southwest begins boarding. There is no need to wait for others behind you to board if you are already at the front of the queue. Fear not, as cutting is not considered impolite in this setting.
- The passengers on connecting flights are the ones I’ve seen do this the most.
Pay more, or take more flights
Southwest’s Business Select price category and southwest airlines careers ensures a front-of-the-line boarding spot (aisle seats A1 through A15). Even though these tickets cost more than a fully refundable one, they come with perks like access to the FlyBy Priority Security lane and drink vouchers.
When Do You Get a “Wanna Get Away” Fare?
To avoid paying the higher price of a Business Select ticket, you can opt for Upgraded Boarding instead. Getting upgraded to first class may not always be possible, but it’s always worth asking about.
Upgraded Boarding is a perk that comes with the new Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card four times a year. In addition, if you spend enough on it, you’ll unlock a plethora of welcome bonuses.
Check in once more at a Kiosk in the airport on the day of departure. You can also inquire about Premium Boarding at the check-in counter. You can also inquire prior to boarding by going to the gate.
If your schedule qualifies for Upgraded Boarding, you’ll be offered a guaranteed boarding spot in the A1-A15 group. Depending on your travel plans, each flight will cost you $30 or $40.
The A-List and A-List Preferred members of Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards programme. Priority boarding is given to some passengers before the general public. They get on the plane before the EarlyBird passengers.
Need to alienate people? Make an Attempt at Saving Seats
Some passengers may try to hold onto seats for those who board after them. Seeing as Southwest doesn’t appear to have a policy on this conduct, many frequent fliers will be dissatisfied. Crews rarely take action even when they are aware of the problem.
Unless their travelling companion is boarding shortly after them, I’ve found that most people don’t mind if someone else takes the middle seat next to them. Caution is advised. Some travelers go to extremes to avoid giving up their seats. Speaking up or requesting assistance from a fellow crew member could be necessary.
Upshot
How answer the question “How do I select a seat on Southwest Airlines?” can be difficult. These suggestions and advice will help you get the greatest seat possible on a Southwest flight with the least amount of stress, a good sense of humour about how it all somehow works, and the best chance of success.
