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Unlike other major airlines out there, Southwest Airlines has an open seating policy. The sooner you get to board the plane, the better chance you will get to find seats that are ideal for you and your travel companions.ย
Photo Credit: Southwest Airlines |
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How Southwest Airlines Boarding Process Works
- Southwest has three (3) boarding groups: A, B, and C.
- There are 1-60 position numbers.ย
- At check-in, your boarding pass has an assigned boarding group and a position number.ย
- Southwest boarding orders are:
- Preboarding for passengers with certain disabilities and special needs
- Group Aย
- Families traveling with a child 6 years old or younger
- Group B
- Finally, Group C
- At the boarding gate area, there are numbered posts. When the gate agent calls your boarding group letter and position number, you will want to go to queue up at the corresponding post based on your boarding position number.ย
- Once onboard, you can pick any open seat you want.ย
How to Get A Better Boarding Group Position For Good Seats on Southwest Airlines
Get the Southwest A-List Status
- To get an A-List status, you need to fly 25 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.ย
- To get an A-List Preferred status, you need to fly 50 qualifying one-way flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.ย
Purchase Business Select Fare Tickets
Purchase Southwest Airlines EarlyBird Check-In
- Southwest system will perform automatic check-in for you within 36 hours of your flightโs departure, and thus you are able to get a confirmed boarding position sooner than the 24 hours check-in window thatโs available to the general public. The concept here is that the sooner you are checked in, the better boarding position you will get. When you get your boarding pass, it does not change your boarding position.ย
Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards
- Chase Southwest Plus Credit Card
- Chase Southwest Premier Credit Card
- Chase Southwest Priority Credit Card
- Chase Southwest Performance Business Credit Card
Check-In Exactly 24 Hours
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