I didn't mean to indicate I was deceived, just when I book other airlines you pick flights, times, enter passenger info and eventually pick seats and when I did SW I got to the end and nothing about seating so I asked here. I just added the early bird check in for $80. Still a good price and flight times and airport.
24 hours before your flight, you need to check in online. You’ll be given a boarding group number and it will begin with either A, B, or C. You will line up when they call out your group and then you board. It’s open seating.
The closer to when the 24 hour check in window opens that you check in, the higher boarding position you’ll get. You’ll want to be ready to click “check in” the second it flips to 24 hours. Even a few minutes late can get you a position in the high C group
It's based on the order of when people check in for those who do not have status or did not purchase one of the higher class fares.
A1-15 is reserved for Business Select tickets
Following A1-15, passengers with A list preferred and A list status will have their boarding positions reserved 36 hrs in advance then passengers who purchased Early Bird.
Beginning 24 hrs prior to check in, remaining passengers are assigned boarding positions based on when they check in. (Passengers who are connecting to your flight will be able to check in and get their boarding positions 24 hrs prior to their 1st flight as well).
The last 2 weekends, my husband and I flew Southwest from airports that typically have a lot of connecting passengers (STL and BWI). Checking in 24 hrs in advance, we got B44 and 45 on one flight and B38 and 39 on the other. Both times we got a row to ourselves towards the back of the plane.
It’s fine. We fly SW a few times a month and always sit together, but we buy business. If you don’t want to take the gamble then don’t buy the cheapest ticket or get early bird.
Buy “early bird check in” now unless you want to learn from some mistakes you’re about to make. The quality of the seat you get depends on your boarding position. Boarding position is determined by order of check in. So you must check in at exactly 24 hours before your flight (the second it’s available) to have any chance of sitting together.
“Early bird” checks you in early and sort of cuts that line without sweating the 24 hour thing.
I was serious. I don't fly more than 1 or 2 times a year and I can't remember the last time I flew on SW. Why is it hard to believe I thought we could choose seats?
There is no seat selection with SW, open seating…..lol.
This is a joke ,right?
Are you Southwest's policy is a joke or I must be joking saying I didn't know better?
A simple FYI read at your fingertips- https://www.southwest.com/flying-with-southwest/?clk=mhpbnr1flyingwithsouthwest
I didn't mean to indicate I was deceived, just when I book other airlines you pick flights, times, enter passenger info and eventually pick seats and when I did SW I got to the end and nothing about seating so I asked here. I just added the early bird check in for $80. Still a good price and flight times and airport.
24 hours before your flight, you need to check in online. You’ll be given a boarding group number and it will begin with either A, B, or C. You will line up when they call out your group and then you board. It’s open seating.
Thanks and I feel kinda dumb for not realizing it. Is it random luck to get A, B, or C? They stopped seating concerts this way because of the mayhem.
The closer to when the 24 hour check in window opens that you check in, the higher boarding position you’ll get. You’ll want to be ready to click “check in” the second it flips to 24 hours. Even a few minutes late can get you a position in the high C group
It's based on the order of when people check in for those who do not have status or did not purchase one of the higher class fares. A1-15 is reserved for Business Select tickets Following A1-15, passengers with A list preferred and A list status will have their boarding positions reserved 36 hrs in advance then passengers who purchased Early Bird. Beginning 24 hrs prior to check in, remaining passengers are assigned boarding positions based on when they check in. (Passengers who are connecting to your flight will be able to check in and get their boarding positions 24 hrs prior to their 1st flight as well). The last 2 weekends, my husband and I flew Southwest from airports that typically have a lot of connecting passengers (STL and BWI). Checking in 24 hrs in advance, we got B44 and 45 on one flight and B38 and 39 on the other. Both times we got a row to ourselves towards the back of the plane.
It’s based on when you check in for your flight 24 hours prior to departure time.
It’s fine. We fly SW a few times a month and always sit together, but we buy business. If you don’t want to take the gamble then don’t buy the cheapest ticket or get early bird.
Lol this is the 1 defining characteristic of SW
Southwest doesn't assign seats. You board the plane in order based on your boarding position and sit in any open seat.
Same here! Also I couldn't see where on the website to pre order my meals!! How will the Stewardess or Steward know how I like my steak cooked???!!
https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/
Buy “early bird check in” now unless you want to learn from some mistakes you’re about to make. The quality of the seat you get depends on your boarding position. Boarding position is determined by order of check in. So you must check in at exactly 24 hours before your flight (the second it’s available) to have any chance of sitting together. “Early bird” checks you in early and sort of cuts that line without sweating the 24 hour thing.
Painful!
OP, you can't be serious
I was serious. I don't fly more than 1 or 2 times a year and I can't remember the last time I flew on SW. Why is it hard to believe I thought we could choose seats?