Southwest assigns boarding positions rather than seats
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.
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A Southwest boarding group (either A, B, or C) and position (1-60) will be assigned to you at check-in and it'll be printed on your boarding pass. Group A boards first, then group B, and afterwards group C. If you end up with A1, then it's your lucky day — you'll likely get to be the first passenger on the plane.
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.
C 1-60: This is the group you will most likely get if you don't check in right on time. While the C group isn't a guaranteed middle seat, the chances are pretty high that you won't be sitting in the ideal spot.
With airlines like American, flights may have up to 9 boarding groups, with the first boarding group only applying to Platinum-status members, and/or passengers in First or Business class (and active military members). Every airline is different, though.
Priority boarding for passengers with disabilities, assistive devices or emotional support animals. Passengers with “status” like Executive Platinum, Gold, Silver, Premier Access, Club, etc. Passengers behind exist rows (some airlines only, like Alaska) Passengers with upgraded seating like “More space” fares.
Typically, if you have a boarding position under B30 you should be able to find a window or aisle seat. The further back in the plane you decide to sit, the more likely you will find a window or aisle seat. When do standbys board? Standby passengers will be the last to board.
2. On Southwest it is an open seating policy meaning you can sit in any open seat. With B1 you should have no problem getting a window or aisle at mid cabin or towards the back of the plane. B1 is not bad as there would be pre boarders, family boarders and up to 60 people (from A group) in front of you.
B-36 is a great number. When your number comes up, you get your choice of whatever seat is not occupied on the plane. If you really want to sit near the front, you may have to pick a middle.
The first group to board is preboarding passengers. Pre-boarding includes travelers with disabilities, families with children under the age of 2, and active members of the military. Next, First Class customers are permitted to board. On Alaska flights without First Class seating, those passengers board with Group “A.”
If you're looking for a quick and easy boarding experience, there's one airline head and shoulders above the rest and that's Southwest. Southwest's boarding procedures are nearly 47% faster than the traditional “back to front” boarding procedures favored by most airlines.
You will be assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and position (1-60+) upon check in. Your unique group and position combination (for example: A35) will be displayed on your boarding pass and represents a reserved spot in the boarding group at the gate.
Preboarding is available for Customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device.
Additionally, you should strongly consider EarlyBird Check-In if you're pretty particular about your seat; while it doesn't guarantee A Group boarding, it certainly gives you a much better chance of nabbing your desired spot.
Depending on their ages and which airline you have chosen, some airlines invite families to board in front of everybody else, while others allow those with kids to slide in somewhere between elite passengers and regular coach-flying folk. Why don't all airlines offer the same policy?