Who gets early boarding on Southwest?

A-List and A-List Preferred members receive priority boarding for everyone booked on the same reservation as boarding positions get assigned to elite Rapid Rewards members 36 hours before departure — so you don't have to purchase EarlyBird Check-In separately.



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Passengers who require additional assistance and passengers traveling with a child under the age of six years old may preboard. Please see a Customer Service Agent at your departure gate to receive a preboard pass.

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Customers who need special assistance and families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate.

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EarlyBird Check-In Customers will have their boarding positions reserved beginning 36 hours prior to their flight's scheduled local departure time. Boarding passes can be accessed beginning 24 hours prior to the flight's scheduled local departure time.

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Southwest allows preboarding only for customers who 1) need a specific seat on the plane, or 2) need assistance boarding the plane. If you find that having a specific seat helps with your anxiety, that would be a way for you to preboard.

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If you'd rather have money in your pocket than landing the seat of your choice, it's probably worth it to skip EarlyBird Check-In. Budget-minded group travelers. While $15 to $25 may not seem like much to pay for early boarding, it can quickly add up if you're traveling with a group.

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EarlyBird Check-In® If you purchase EarlyBird Check-In, we'll automatically check you in and reserve your boarding position 36 hours before you flight's departure.

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A person with a disability may have a physical or mental impairment that impacts a major life activity - such as walking, hearing, or breathing. This may be on a permanent or temporary basis. For example, a person with a temporary disability may have a broken leg that is temporarily fused or immobilized.

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At the check in or gate, you simply state that you need to pre-board for medical reasons and need a specific seat, and show your ID. They cannot ask specifics of why you need to pre-board, but this covers enough to be able to pre-board on Southwest.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder An individual with ongoing ADHD will not (by definition) be able to complete pilot training. Medication used for this disorder is normally disqualifying.

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If you have paid for upgrades in the past for this reason, request refunds from Southwest and explain that you were attempting to preboard. You do not have to disclose the disability nor discuss it in any way. Simply self identify and you will be permitted to preboard.

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Travel Companions Can Now Board With Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred Members. Anyone on the SAME RESERVATION (that means you'll have the same confirmation number) on Southwest Airlines as someone who holds elite status with Southwest (called A-List or A-List Preferred) can now board with the elite status member.

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The change, which went into effect Aug. 15, will take place as the airline works on “product enhancements.” The airline said the overhaul is part of several company initiatives meant to modernize the customer experience and strengthen their customer base.

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Upgraded Boarding gives Customers the ability to upgrade their boarding position to A1-A15 24 hours before the flight depending on availability. This allows our Customers the opportunity to be among the first to board the aircraft, pick their preferred available seat, and access the overhead bin space.

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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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Other family members such as grandparents can board with family boarding but they have to be the only adults. So for example you could not have both parents and a set of grandparents boarding in the family boarding group. Instead, Southwest would likely limit you to only two parents (along with the kids).

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A-List and A-List Preferred members are said to receive the best available boarding pass number but occasionally end up with a Group B or C boarding designation. However, as a nod to their elite status, they are allowed to cut the line anytime after Group A boarding is complete.

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