Southwest Airlines on Monday announced a new $40 fee to let passengers board early — the latest carrier to charge additional fees for everything from priority boarding to guaranteed seats next to your kids.
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Customers can add EarlyBird Check-In to their reservation up to 36 hours prior to a flight's scheduled departure, when it is available. Upgraded Boarding guarantees an A1-A15 boarding position and, when available, can be added to a reservation up to 30 minutes before a flight's scheduled departure.
$49 one-way fares are available between Jacksonville and Albany, between Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood and Hartford, between Orlando and Buffalo, between West Palm Beach and Baltimore/Washington, between Tampa Bay and Islip/Long Island, and between Orlando and Philadelphia.
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Officially, Southwest has no policy for or against seat saving, and in practice actively allows it. Reps will even suggest that passengers save seats for later boarding companions.
How much does it cost to gate-check a bag? Unlike bags you check ahead of a flight, an airline will check any otherwise allowed carry-on bag at the gate for free, regardless of your fare type.
Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags within the continental United States. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.
Southwest Airlines allow for one carry-on bag (duffel, carry-on suitcase, etc) and one personal item, which would typically be a purse, a backpack, or a briefcase.
If you have a B group boarding position, the chances are good that you'll still be able to get a window or aisle seat or find 2 seats together if you're traveling with a companion. Hot Tip: If you are in the B group (or even one of the first numbers in the C group), head to the back of the plane.
If you purchase EarlyBird Check-In, we'll automatically check you in and reserve your boarding position 36 hours before you flight's departure. This is before our general 24-hour check-in begins.
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.