How much does priority boarding cost southwest?

Purchase Upgraded Boarding You can purchase a Southwest Upgraded Boarding — and guarantee an A1 through A15 boarding position — starting 24 hours before departure. The cost is variable and starts at $30 per flight segment, reaching as high as $80 per segment.



On Southwest Airlines in 2026, the cost for priority boarding—known as Upgraded Boarding—typically ranges from $30 to $80 per segment, depending on the length of the flight and the demand for that specific route. This service allows you to secure a position in the coveted A1–A15 boarding group, ensuring you are among the first to board, choose your seat, and find overhead bin space. This can only be purchased starting 24 hours before departure if spots are available. Alternatively, you can purchase EarlyBird Check-In, which automatically checks you in 36 hours before the flight to get a better boarding position (usually in the A or early B groups). EarlyBird costs between $15 and $25 each way. For those looking for the ultimate priority, the Business Select fare automatically includes A1–A15 boarding. If you hold a Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, you may be eligible for up to four reimbursed Upgraded Boardings per year, making it a "free" perk for loyal travelers who want to skip the line and grab a front-row seat.

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The price of priority boarding
While the cost of priority boarding will differ among airlines and flights, you'll typically pay between $10-$30 to board the plane before your group.

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Who should do it? A ticket upgrade may make sense if any of the following are true: You like the idea of boarding the plane quickly so you can choose your preferred seat and are guaranteed an A1 through A15 boarding position. You want to maximize the Rapid Rewards points that you earn.

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If you need your carry-on bag during a long layover or prefer not to wait at a late-night baggage claim after a long day of flying, then purchasing a priority boarding upgrade may be well worth it. In essence, purchasing priority boarding is staking claim to readily accessible overhead bin space.

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A Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter or the departure gate can help with this accommodation, and you'll be asked questions to determine if you qualify. You'll receive a new boarding pass marked with PRBD if you qualify, which lets the Operations Agent at boarding know that you can preboard.

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Seniors do not get priority boarding on Southwest. There is priority boarding for customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability or who need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. In that case, you'll board before Family Boarding, between the A and B groups.

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Economy passengers, including those with basic economy fares, can purchase a priority boarding add-on to enter the plane with Group 4. You can't purchase this upgrade during the initial booking process, so you'll need to add it during check-in, online or at the airport.

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If you need your carry-on bag during a long layover or prefer not to wait at a late-night baggage claim after a long day of flying, then purchasing a priority boarding upgrade may be well worth it. In essence, purchasing priority boarding is staking claim to readily accessible overhead bin space.

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Southwest® Upgraded Boardings: Each anniversary year you will be reimbursed for the purchase of up to four Upgraded Boardings which are positions A1-A15.

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It depends on a variety of factors, including the airline, the route, the time of year, and the availability of seats. In some cases, upgrading at the airport can be a cost-effective way to experience Business Class perks without paying full price. In other cases, it may end up being more expensive.

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New for 2022, EarlyBird Check-In is included with the purchase of an Anytime fare. Customers who purchase an Anytime fare will automatically be checked in to their flight 36 hours prior to scheduled departure—that's 12 hours before our traditional 24-hour check-in.

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Only priority boarding passengers will be permitted to take one small bag (40cm x 20cm x 25cm), plus a larger cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20cm) with a maximum weight allowance of 10kg into the cabin free of charge.

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You can only board once your zone is called. Signs indicating where your zone is are located in front of your flight's boarding gate.

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Priority boarding – First class is the first group of passengers to get on and off the plane. Instead of waiting in long lines with other travelers, first-class passengers receive priority boarding that allows them to get to their seats faster.

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Better comfort. Not only does waiting to board let you bypass the often stressful and crowded lines (or 'gate lice' as one woman put it), doing so lets you enjoy more legroom, open seating, and less claustrophobia for a few minutes longer in the gate rather than the plane.

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Benefits Of Boarding Your Flight First With this, you will have better chances of getting good cabin space for your luggage over your seat. If you board in late, you might have to set your cabin luggage in spaces over others' designated seats that will only add to your deboarding time when you reach your destination.

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Does Southwest EarlyBird Check-in guarantee you Zone A boarding? Those assigned Zone A (listed on your boarding pass) are the first group of passengers to board the plane, but EarlyBird DOES NOT guarantee you Zone A boarding.

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However, Southwest quietly announced on its website that it will phase out the senior fares this December. “As of December 11, 2019, Senior fares are no longer available for purchase,” Southwest wrote on its site. “Our customers mean everything to us.

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No. Southwest does not offer senior fares. Learn about the fare types that Southwest offers today.

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