Over the past years, Southwest Airlines became widely known for doing things differently from its fellow carriers. It offers low fares, a generous baggage policy of two free checked bags, no change fees, flexible flight cancellations, and open seating. On this page, we are going to discuss the latter: the open seating model and Southwest Airlines boarding process groups! If you have never booked a ticket with this airline, then this blog is going to blow your mind!
The Difference About Southwest Airlines Open Seating
Southwest Airlines open seating means that passengers are not assigned seats during the flight booking, not even at the time of check-in. In fact, the passengers can choose their preferred seat after boarding the plane. Different, right? Unlike other airlines, where seats are allotted at the time of reservation or check-in through the seat selection process, Southwest takes a step forward and chooses a unique path for its passengers.
However, it’s not as easy as it reads; there are a whole lot of procedures that one has to go through, including fees as well. Once you are on board, then you can choose whichever seat you like. But first! Let’s understand the steps every passenger has to follow for Southwest assigned seats.
Detailed Southwest Airlines Boarding Process
To give you a gist, passengers get a boarding group and position but not Southwest assigned seats. In order to be able to get the specific seat, you will first have to follow the standard procedure:
Starting Off With Flight Check-in
Checking in is the crucial part! Why? When you complete the check-in and get the boarding pass, you also receive a boarding group and position at the desk. Passengers get the boarding group from A, B, or C, where A is the first to board, and C is the last. According to the check-in times, a position is allotted within the group (1-60). Thus, the earlier you check in, the better.
Southwest Airlines allows checking in 24 hours before the scheduled departure. So, it’s recommended that you check in as soon as the window opens. Setting up an alarm would be great if you want to check in immediately and secure a better boarding position.
If you succeed in doing so, you will position yourself in the ‘B’ boarding group, which is enough if you prefer a window or aisle seat or two seats adjacent to each other. Now, you must better understand why checking early is essential.
When it’s time to Board Your Flight
At the departure gate, when it’s time to embark on your flight finally, the agent will announce the A Group to board first. Passengers will start lining up at numbered posts at the gate area according to their boarding group. There are usually two rows for boarding positions 1-30 and 31-60 for every group.
The agent will start calling the group individually as the plane prepares for boarding. So, the process begins with pre-boarding passengers (A 1-15). These are people who need extra help boarding, have specific seating needs, or need more time to board. After this, Business Select ticket holders can stand in line. Then, passengers with A15-30 positions can board the plane.
Once all the A 1-30 position holders have embarked on the plane. The information screen at the front will change details to B 1-30, and it’s time for the ‘B’ group members to get on the plane and choose their seats. When your number is announced, you just have to stand in line, present your boarding pass to the gate agent, and walk towards the plane.
When you are finally on the plane, you choose any available vacant seat and begin your air journey!
Rundown on the Southwest Boarding Positions
Going through the Southwest Airlines boarding process and groups, you might have come across the ‘allotted positions.’ Let’s understand the meaning of every position and basically who gets assigned to them.
Pre-board
Passengers under the pre-boarding category are those who either need a specific seat in the cabin, have a physical disability, or need extra help during boarding or stowing an assistive device. Such passengers get on the plane initially before the boarding starts. Hence, they are called pre-board passengers.
A 1-15
Those with Business Select boarding passes come under the A 1-15 Southwest boarding group (the airline’s most premium ticket). If some of the Business Select tickets are remaining, other passengers can upgrade their position to this boarding group for $30 to $50. But keep in mind that the upgraded position applies to only one part of the flight, not the whole itinerary. You can check on the availability of this boarding position a day before the scheduled departure.
A 15-30
This group is generally for passengers with A-List Preferred or A-List Elite status, including those who purchased the EarlyBird Check-in. However, such members are not guaranteed an ‘A’ boarding position despite having A-List, A-List Preferred, or EarlyBird Check-In.
Southwest Active Military Personnel and Family Boarding
Those on family vacations with their children under 6 years old or young get the opportunity to board right after the ‘A’ group members, despite their assigned position. Plus, there is no need for prior arrangements; they just have to line up when the agent calls for the family with young children to board. At the same time, the Southwest military boarding starts, where active personnel start to line up, scan their boarding passes, and get on the plane.
B 1-60
Allotment of this middle boarding group depends on how many seats are occupied by passengers and how many have got the EarlyBird Check-in. Passengers who have purchased the EarlyBird Check-in can still be assigned to the ‘B’ group. You will still be the first to stand in the line despite that. The possibility of getting a window or aisle seat or two adjacent seats is still there with the ‘B’ boarding group. However, it’s essential to check in exactly 24 hours before the scheduled departure.
C 1-60
If you check in late, you are most likely to get the C 1-60 boarding group position. It is not guaranteed you will only get the middle seats, but it is for sure that you won’t get any ideal seats. By the time this boarding group gets on the plane, previous boarders would have already occupied the window and aisle seats.
If you are a solo traveler, it would be better first to occupy the seats at the back to look for window or aisle seats. In case only the middle seats are vacant, the flight attendants will announce it to you!
Insights Into Finding Your Spot on Southwest Planes
You have already gone through the complete boarding procedure and understood the meaning of each position. Then, what’s left? Here are some quick tips on finding the right spot under the Southwest Airlines open seating model.
- When you board the plane, you’ll find flight attendants standing in rows close to the middle of the plane. They are usually in the exit row. If somehow you would like to sit where they are standing, you can tell them, and they’ll be happy to move.
- People usually put their items or bags on seats so their travel companions in different groups can sit there. Technically, you can ask them to move their things aside so you occupy a seat, but for the entire duration, you’ll have a prickly seatmate. So, the choice is yours. If there are ideal seats in other rows, it’s better to move on.
- Most of the time, travel companions sit in a row, but one occupies the window seat, and the other sits on the aisle. This leads to an empty seat in the middle. If you choose to sit there, one of them will probably shift to the seat, leaving you with either a window or an aisle seat.
- Never ever pass up on a front-row empty seat. Unlike other airlines, the front seats are not reserved for any specific passenger on Southwest. So, feel free to occupy them when you notice them vacant.
Specifics Regarding Southwest Family Boarding
The Southwest family boarding is one reason that makes traveling with children easier. This is because the airline allows families with 6-year-old children or younger kids to board after the ‘A’ boarding group. This all is irrespective of their assigned position on their boarding passes. In simple words, it means that such families do not have to worry about checking in exactly 24 hours before the scheduled departure. Being able to board so early after the A group member ensures finding seats adjacent to each other. This is very important when you are flying with little ones.
But here’s the twist: the Southwest family boarding is limited to only two parents and is applicable only when the family travels with a 6-year-old or a younger kid. Other family members, like grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins, will have to board according to their allotted group and positions. However, if you already hold an ‘A’ boarding position, then you can board at that time.
Passengers With Disabilities Boarding Southwest Planes
Now, those who are eligible for pre-boarding (having specific seating needs or requiring assistance) will have to inform the ticket agent or gate agent before the boarding process begins. If the officials approve, they will issue a new boarding pass with a pre-boarding group position. However, keep in mind that passengers with such a designation are not allowed to sit in an exit row.
If such passengers need extra time to board the plane, they will get assistance to board between the A group and the family boarding. Southwest Airlines extends this courtesy to one travel companion, which can be a family member or a friend.
Ways to Get A Better Boarding Group on Southwest
Wondering how to get a better boarding position on Southwest Airlines? But don’t want the hassle of check-in prior to a day of departure? Then, the following are some of the simplest ways to board under the ‘A’ group position:
Get Southwest Elite Status
Passengers can get elite status on Southwest Airlines by a specific number of one-way flights they have taken or through the elite qualifying points earned in a year. Having this status is also beneficial for the travel companions. The airline allows fellow travelers booked on the same reservation with the elite member to board at the same time.
| Elite Status | Required One-way Flight Limits | Required Qualifying Points |
| A-list | 20 | 35,000 |
| A-list Preferred | 40 | 70,000 |
Tip: Don’t confuse this with the Southwest Companion Pass. While it has many benefits, it does not provide any sort of priority boarding.
Purchase EarlyBird Check-in
What is EarlyBird check-in? It’s basically a paid service offered by Southwest Airlines that automatically checks in passengers 36 hours before their scheduled departure time. When you check in that early, you receive a higher boarding position as well. But still, the ‘A’ group position is still not guaranteed. The possibility of getting an allotment under the ‘B’ group is there. You can still get an ideal seat with this add-on. You can include this in your reservation at the time of booking or later for $15 to $25 one-way per person.
Upgrade to A Boarding Group
If any boarding positions are available under the ‘A’ group, other passengers can purchase these positions and upgrade to the higher group. Interested passengers can pay for an upgrade using the Southwest Mobile App 24 hours before departure. It will cost around $30 to $50 per person per flight segment. Simply put, the purchase won’t apply to the complete itinerary, only a part of it.
Ultimate Outcome: The only way to get a higher Southwest boarding group without earning elite status is through EarlyBird Check-in and upgrade boarding.
Get Free Priority Boarding on Southwest with Credit Cards
As previously said, the easiest way to a higher boarding position is EarlyBird Check-in and upgraded boarding until you have to get them for a fee. On the good side, there are credit cards that offer you priority boarding on Southwest Airlines as an added benefit.
Southwest Airlines Credit Card
It is one thing to get A 1-15 boarding position and another to pay almost $50 for it. Of course, you want to secure a window seat, but is it worth it to pay that much? Fortunately, the following credit cards can help you get priority boarding for no fee at all! These cards provide you with four upgrade boarding passes every year.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
At Last!
Southwest Airlines Boarding Process Groups is a unique approach to seat allotment as compared to fellow carriers. It’s the only airline in the world with such a concept. While the absence of an assigned seat can be confusing at first, when you go through the detailed procedure, it’s a piece of cake!
We hope this page provided you with enough insights into Southwest Flight Boarding and Positions to help you score your ideal seat like a pro!
Questions You Might Ask:
37 is a position within the Southwest boarding group that determines passengers’ place in line for embarking on the plane.
Southwest Airlines has three boarding groups: A, B, and C. Passengers in the ‘A’ group board the plane first, and the ‘C’ group passengers are the last ones to get on the plane.
Southwest C boarding group is considered the worst position as they are the last ones to board the plane. By the time these passengers get on the plane, all the ideal seats are occupied, and they are left with middle seat options.
Southwest boarding works by assigning passengers to a boarding group based on their ticket status and allotting a position within the group according to their flight check-in time.
The EarlyBird Check-in is a paid service of Southwest Airlines that automatically checks in passengers 36 hours before their flight.
No. The positions decide where you will be standing on the line for Southwest flight boarding.
It could be because you haven’t logged in correctly or entered the wrong reservation number. Sometimes, the app doesn’t show the details if your flight is too far in the future.
Yes. Southwest Airlines is a good low-cost carrier, providing passengers with generous perks like free checked baggage, no change fee, and an open seating model.
The airline assigns boarding groups to passengers according to their elite status, purchased tickets, and specific needs (physical disability, traveling with families, etc.).
Southwest Airlines is looking forward to shifting from its open seating model. Passengers will either have to pay for seat assignments or get one assigned seat.
Southwest Group C is generally considered the worst of all boarding positions. These people get on their plane at last and find only a fewer seating options, mainly in the middle row.
Southwest Airlines’ seat arrangement is based on the open seating model, where passengers do not have an assigned seat. They choose to sit wherever they like after boarding the plane.
Passengers under the pre-board category (people with disabilities or requiring extra assistance) board the plane first. After that, the A 1-15 Group members get on the boarding line.
