There are a few ways to get a guaranteed “A” boarding position before your flight: 1. Purchase Upgraded Boarding: This option is available starting 24 hours before the flight's local departure time and allows Customers to upgrade their boarding position to A1-A15 depending on availability.

Securing a spot in Boarding Group A on Southwest Airlines is highly coveted because it guarantees your choice of seat and overhead bin space. In 2026, the most reliable way to get Group A is by purchasing a Business Select fare, which automatically assigns you a position between A1 and A15. Another effective method is holding A-List or A-List Preferred elite status, as the airline automatically checks you in 36 hours before departure. If you have a standard fare, you can pay for "EarlyBird Check-In," which puts you in a queue behind elite members but ahead of those who check in manually. For those who wait until the 24-hour mark, you can also "Upgraded Boarding" at the gate or through the app if A1-A15 spots are still available, usually costing $30–$80. Remember that Southwest's "open seating" policy makes Group A essential for families or groups who want to sit together without the stress of the later B and C groups.