Loading Page...

What is the best group to be in on Southwest?

Southwest boards by boarding group, with groups A and B often getting the best seats.



People Also Ask

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.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, A45 is a very good number. No worries. There may be 44 people ahead of you but probably less.

MORE DETAILS

Southwest assigns boarding positions rather than seats Southwest Airlines passengers are assigned specific boarding positions, consisting of a letter and then a number: You'll either be in group A, B, or C, with A being allowed to board first, B being allowed to board second, and C being allowed to board last.

MORE DETAILS

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. You will receive an earlier boarding position, improved seat selection, and earlier access to overhead bins.

MORE DETAILS

6 ways to get the best seat on Southwest flights
  1. Check in 24-hours before departure. ...
  2. Pay for Early Bird check-in. ...
  3. Earn elite status with Southwest. ...
  4. Pay for a Business Select fare. ...
  5. Have the right Southwest credit card. ...
  6. Bring your kids with you or say you need extra time.


MORE DETAILS

Purchase a Business Select fare or upgrade to Business Select: Customers who purchase a Business Select fare will get guaranteed A1-A15 boarding. If a Customer did not originally purchase a Business Select fare but wants guaranteed A1-A15 boarding, they can upgrade their flight to Business Select.

MORE DETAILS

As such, we do not publish flight loads. If for any reason you're uncomfortable traveling in the current environment and would like to discuss the flight load of your upcoming flight, we strongly encourage you to reach out to our Customer Service Department via any of the options below. Email here.

MORE DETAILS

Southwest has three boarding groups, A, B, and C, and each group has 60 'positions. ' Upon checking in, you'll be assigned one of these 180 positions, determining when you can board and choose your seat.

MORE DETAILS

Southwest follows an open seating style, meaning there are no assigned seats. You'll be assigned a boarding group (either A, B, or C) and position (1-60+) upon check-in, which determines your boarding order. Once on board, you choose your seat. If you're last to board, you likely won't get to sit with your family.

MORE DETAILS

Re: Saving Seats Unfortunately, there's no policy to enforce. 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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

At Southwest, we let you sit where you like. We don't assign seats on our flights, so feel free to sit in any available seat once you board the plane. We have a quick, easy, and efficient boarding process. Look at your boarding pass to find your assigned boarding group (A, B, or C) and boarding position (1 - 60).

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Southwest Airlines doesn't actually have a dedicated first-class fare, instead, it's known as Business Select.

MORE DETAILS

Feel free to ask for the place you want. Most flight crews will be happy to accommodate your request if they can. There's also no harm in asking a fellow passenger for a seat trade. But remember to be polite and nice about it!

MORE DETAILS

The best seats on a plane
  • Best seat for minimizing the effects of turbulence: A seat over the wing.
  • Best seat for peace and quiet: A seat near the front.
  • Best seat for legroom: A bulkhead or exit-row seat.
  • Best seat for sleeping: A window seat in a bulkhead row.


MORE DETAILS

Checking in for a flight early or late comes down to more personal preference than anything else. As long as you check in before the window closes, you'll (most likely) get a seat on the aircraft. But, being strategic, one way or the other, might bag you a better one.

MORE DETAILS

A-list will ALWAYS yield a better boarding position than Early Bird - unless the ticket happens to be booked less than 24 hours in advance, SW assigns boarding positions in the following order: A List preferred, followed by A-List, followed by Early Bird.

MORE DETAILS