Before you get on a Southwest Airlines flight, check in online or at the airport. If you haven’t used the app yet, you’ll find a check-in button on the app. Simply enter your confirmation number and first and last name to check in. Afterward, you can print your boarding pass or send it via email or text. If you have any questions, you can always call customer service at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA or follow them on Twitter.
Getting a good boarding position on a Southwest Airlines flight
There are several ways to get a good boarding position on a flight, especially when traveling on Southwest Airlines. There are three main boarding groups, positions 1-60+, and middle seats. In addition, you can pay an extra fee for the higher fare class to get a more favorable boarding position.
The first trick to get a good boarding position is to know the plane’s seating arrangement. Southwest flights tend to fill up first at the aisles and front. The window seats fill up fast as well. It’s also a good idea to choose a window seat, as it is usually quieter and doesn’t have as much aisle traffic.
After checking in at least 24 hours before departure, your boarding group will be called. If you’re in the A group, you’ll get a window or aisle seat, or even two seats together. Otherwise, you’ll be assigned a seat in the middle of the plane.
The process for boarding on Southwest Airlines flights is different from most airlines. Instead of a numbered order, passengers are assigned a group and a seat. Once you’re assigned a group and seat, you’ll line up at the gate according to your group. Your group number and seat number are printed on your boarding pass.
If you’re traveling alone, the best way to get an aisle or window seat is to stand at the back of the plane. The middle seat usually has an empty seat. If you’re traveling with family or friends, you can try to get a window seat.
Boarding position is important because Southwest flights can take multiple stops. This means that those travelers who are traveling to their final destination stay on the plane as others deplane. The same holds true if the flight is delayed or rerouted. You may also be able to board early if you’re carrying camera equipment or other large instruments.
The best way to get a good boarding position on a flight with Southwest is to get to the gate early. You can also get an early boarding position by paying a small fee. While this will not guarantee an A group seat, it will guarantee you a spot in the first 15 passengers.
Checking in online
If you have a Southwest flight that departs within two hours of your arrival airport, you can check in online 24 hours before your departure to guarantee better seating. Alternatively, you can go to a Southwest self-service kiosk at the airport to print your boarding pass. However, if you arrive to the airport less than 20 minutes before your departure, you will be required to present a valid photo ID and boarding pass at the gate. You should arrive at the gate 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time to be seated properly.
In order to check in for your flight online, you must first enter your personal details. This includes your PNR confirmation and your First Name. After that, click on the Check-In button. Once you are done, you can print your Southwest boarding pass or email it to yourself. Just make sure to have your confirmation number handy before you begin.
You can also check in for Southwest flights up to 48 hours before departure. This option allows you to check in your luggage, choose your meal, and print your boarding pass. Note that you cannot check in online for a Southwest flight if you have a disability or are traveling with an unaccompanied minor. In addition, you will be limited in how many hours before departure you can check in online.
Checking in online for Southwest flights is a convenient way to secure your seat in advance. You can even check in for two flights on the same itinerary. And, if you’re lucky, you may be able to get a boarding order sooner rather than later. Just be sure to set an alarm or timer so you don’t miss the deadline. Remember: the last thing you want to do is arrive to the airport with no ticket in hand and find yourself among the last passengers to board.
If you’re a Rapid Reward A-List Preferred or Business Select member, you can opt to check in automatically online. This way, you can reserve your seat before the airport opens and get a priority boarding position. You can also print your boarding pass 24 hours before your flight to avoid waiting at the gate area.
At the airport
If you’re looking to fly on Southwest Airlines, you have to know how to check in online. This process requires your six-digit PNR number, so it’s important to get your check-in information in advance. Once you’ve checked in, you’ll be able to access your Southwest Airlines boarding pass and choose a seat. Depending on your ticket type, you can even check in online up to 48 hours before your flight. Be sure to arrive early, as if you wait too long to check-in, you could end up in the C or B seating groups and have a lower chance of landing in an aisle or window seat.
If you’re traveling on Southwest, make sure to bring photo identification, as the Transportation Security Administration polices airports. You’ll also be limited to a certain amount of material when checking in. You should also have a carry-on bag for your checked luggage. There are also strict security requirements for Southwest flights.
It’s also worth noting that you can check into your Southwest flight online up to 24 hours before your departure. You can also check in at the airport if you’re traveling with multiple passengers on the same itinerary. Just make sure to leave enough time for security checks and baggage claim. Those who’d like to board their flight earlier should opt for the EarlyBird option, which can cost anywhere from USD 15 to $25 per person. Choosing this option will give you an earlier boarding position and access to the overhead bin.
During a Southwest flight, there may be multiple stops. This means that passengers who are heading to their final destination will stay on the plane while other passengers deplane. It’s also possible that the flight will be delayed or rerouted. In these instances, you’ll want to be able to plan ahead and check in online.
In addition to checking in early, it’s also a good idea to bring a carry-on suitcase. Southwest passengers do not have assigned seats, but the most popular seats on the plane are aisle or window. If you’re traveling with a baby, check-in early.
Priority boarding
Priority boarding on a Southwest flight is available to those who book ahead of time. This option guarantees boarding in the A1 to A15 rows. This is important since Southwest flights often have multiple stops. This allows passengers who are bound for the final destination to stay on the plane when other passengers are deplaning.
The process of priority boarding on a Southwest flight is a bit different than other airlines’. First of all, you must have a Southwest boarding code. This code will be printed on your boarding pass and represents your place in the line at the gate. Then, you must line up next to a gray metal column to be boarded. There are separate lines for preboarding travelers, families, and A-List/A-List Preferred passengers.
Once you have your boarding number, you can select your seat. Seats in group A will likely be the first ones on the plane, with exceptions for people with disabilities, pre-boarding passengers, and early connecting flights. Group C is the second group to board. Those in group C will be closer to the restrooms and will likely end up in the middle.
A passenger with a Southwest Priority Credit Card can get priority boarding for a cost of around $30-$50. This card also has other benefits. Among them, it gives members access to priority boarding for up to four flights per year, as well as 20% back on in-flight drinks, WiFi, messaging, and movies.
If you are a frequent flyer, you may want to consider becoming an A-List member. You can earn this status by flying 25 one-way flights for a year or earning 35,000 tier qualifying points. A-List members also get priority check-in and security lane access. Generally, they are also among the first passengers on the flight. The gate crew will ask if you are an A-List member before moving on to the next group.
Priority boarding on Southwest flights is also available to Rapid Rewards members. These members earn points that never expire, and they don’t have seat restrictions or blackout dates. Additionally, Southwest has a “fixed-value redemption” frequent flyer program, which means the points you receive are tied to the cash price of the ticket. Therefore, a higher-priced ticket will require you to spend more points to get a good seat.