Navigating the world of air travel can sometimes feel like a puzzle, especially when it comes to the nitty-gritty details like obtaining your boarding pass. If you're flying Southwest Airlines, you're in luck – they offer several convenient ways to get your boarding pass in hand, whether you prefer the digital route or a good old-fashioned paper copy. Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to print your Southwest Airlines boarding pass, ensuring a smooth start to your journey!
Ready to get your boarding pass sorted and one step closer to your Southwest adventure? Let's begin!
Step 1: Understand Southwest's Check-in Window
Before you can even think about printing your boarding pass, you need to check in for your flight. Southwest Airlines has a specific window for online and mobile check-in.
When does it open? Online and mobile check-in for Southwest Airlines flights opens exactly 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure time. This is a crucial detail for Southwest, as their open seating policy means that your boarding position (A, B, or C, followed by a number) is largely determined by when you check in. The earlier you check in, the better your boarding position will likely be!
What if I have EarlyBird Check-In or A-List Status? If you've purchased EarlyBird Check-In or are an A-List/A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards member, Southwest automatically checks you in 36 hours before departure. However, you will still need to retrieve your boarding pass within the 24-hour window before your flight.
Step 2: Choose Your Check-in Method
Southwest offers a few primary ways to check in and access your boarding pass. Consider which method is most convenient for you.
Sub-heading: Option A: Online Check-in via Southwest.com (Recommended for Printing at Home)
This is the most common and often preferred method if you plan to print your boarding pass at home or at a friend's/hotel's printer.
Go to the Southwest Airlines Website: Open your web browser and navigate to
www.southwest.com Locate the "Check In" Section: On the homepage, usually at the top or in a prominent section, you'll find a "Check In" tab or link. Click on it.
Enter Your Details: You'll be prompted to enter your:
Confirmation Number: This is a six-character alphanumeric code found on your booking confirmation email.
First Name
Last Name
Click "Check In" or "Retrieve Reservation": After entering your details, click the appropriate button.
Confirm Your Flight Details: The system will display your flight information. Review it carefully to ensure everything is correct.
Proceed to Boarding Pass: Once confirmed, you'll see an option to "Print Boarding Pass" or similar. Click this.
Select Passengers (if applicable): If you're traveling with multiple people on the same reservation, you may be asked to select which passengers you want to generate boarding passes for.
Print Your Boarding Pass: A printable version of your boarding pass will appear. Use your browser's print function (File > Print or Ctrl+P/Cmd+P) to send it to your connected printer.
Pro Tip: Always do a print preview to ensure it fits on one page and looks correct before printing.
Sub-heading: Option B: Southwest Airlines Mobile App (Great for Mobile Boarding Pass, Less for Printing)
The Southwest app is fantastic for convenience, especially if you prefer a mobile boarding pass. While you can view your boarding pass here, printing directly from the app to a physical printer is often not as straightforward as from the website. However, you could always email it to yourself from the app and then print from a computer.
Download the App: If you haven't already, download the Southwest Airlines app from your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android or Apple App Store for iOS).
Log In or Check In as Guest: You can log in with your Rapid Rewards account or proceed as a guest using your confirmation number.
Navigate to "My Trips": Once in the app, look for the "My Trips" section.
Select Your Flight: Find your upcoming flight and tap on it.
Initiate Check-in: Within the flight details, you'll see a "Check In" button when the 24-hour window opens. Tap it.
View Boarding Pass: After successful check-in, a "View Boarding Pass" button will appear. Tap this to see your mobile boarding pass.
To print from here (less common): You might have an option to email the boarding pass to yourself or share it. Send it to an email address accessible from a computer with a printer, then print from there. You can also save it to Apple Wallet or Google Pay for easy access on your phone.
Sub-heading: Option C: Airport Self-Service Kiosk (For Airport Printing)
If you don't have access to a printer at home or prefer to handle it at the airport, self-service kiosks are your friend.
Locate a Kiosk: Upon arrival at the airport, look for the designated Southwest Airlines self-service kiosks. They are usually near the ticket counters.
Touch the Screen to Start: The touch screen will guide you through the process.
Retrieve Your Reservation: You'll typically have several options to pull up your reservation:
Enter your confirmation number.
Enter your Rapid Rewards number.
Swipe a major credit card with your name on it (this acts as identification, not for payment).
Follow On-Screen Prompts: The kiosk will display your flight details. Confirm them and select the option to "Print Boarding Pass."
Collect Your Boarding Pass: The kiosk will print your boarding pass (and often baggage tags if you're checking bags).
Sub-heading: Option D: Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter (Full Service Airport Printing)
For those who prefer human assistance or have special circumstances (e.g., unaccompanied minors, international travel requiring passport verification), the full-service ticket counter is an option.
Go to the Ticket Counter: Head to the Southwest Airlines ticket counter at the airport.
Provide Identification: Have your photo ID (e.g., driver's license, passport) and confirmation number ready to present to the agent.
Request Boarding Pass: Inform the agent that you need your boarding pass printed.
Collect Boarding Pass: The agent will process your check-in and provide you with a printed boarding pass.
Step 3: What to Do After Printing (or Obtaining Mobile Pass)
Once you have your boarding pass, whether printed or on your mobile device, you're ready for the next steps in your travel journey.
If you have a printed boarding pass and no checked bags: You can proceed directly to the TSA security checkpoint.
If you have a mobile boarding pass and no checked bags: Head straight to the TSA security checkpoint, where you'll present your phone for scanning.
If you have checked bags:
If you used an airport kiosk, you might have printed baggage tags. Attach them to your bags and proceed to the bag drop area.
If you checked in online or via the app, you'll need to print baggage tags at a kiosk or get them from a ticket agent, then take your bags to the bag drop area.
Important Considerations for a Smooth Boarding Experience
Boarding Position is Key for Southwest: Remember, Southwest does not have assigned seating. Your boarding pass will show a Group (A, B, or C) and a Position (e.g., A35). This determines your place in the boarding line. Being among the first to check in (within the 24-hour window) significantly improves your chances of a better boarding position.
EarlyBird Check-In: If you want to avoid the rush of checking in exactly 24 hours before and secure an earlier boarding position automatically, consider purchasing EarlyBird Check-In during or after booking your flight. This checks you in 36 hours prior to departure.
A-List/A-List Preferred: Elite Rapid Rewards members (A-List and A-List Preferred) automatically receive priority boarding and a better boarding position.
Mobile Phone Battery: If relying on a mobile boarding pass, ensure your phone is fully charged before heading to the airport. A dead battery can cause significant delays.
International Travel: For some international flights with Southwest, you might be required to have your passport verified at the airport ticket counter before a boarding pass (digital or physical) can be issued. Always double-check international travel requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check in online for Southwest Airlines?
Go to southwest.com, click "Check In," enter your confirmation number, first name, and last name, then follow the prompts.
How to get a mobile boarding pass for Southwest Airlines?
Check in using the Southwest mobile app or mobile website, then select the "View Boarding Pass" option to display it on your device. You can often save it to Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
How to print my Southwest boarding pass at home?
Check in online at southwest.com within 24 hours of your flight, and then select the "Print Boarding Pass" option. Ensure your printer is connected and has ink/toner.
How to print my Southwest boarding pass at the airport?
You can print your boarding pass at a self-service kiosk using your confirmation number, Rapid Rewards number, or a credit card for identification, or visit the full-service Southwest ticket counter.
How to get a better boarding position on Southwest Airlines?
Check in exactly 24 hours prior to your flight's departure time, purchase EarlyBird Check-In, or achieve A-List/A-List Preferred status with Rapid Rewards.
How to check in for Southwest if I have EarlyBird Check-In?
Southwest automatically checks you in 36 hours before departure. You still need to retrieve your boarding pass (online, app, or at the airport) within the 24-hour window, but your boarding position is already secured.
How to find my Southwest Airlines confirmation number?
Your confirmation number is a six-character alphanumeric code usually found in the subject line or body of your flight confirmation email from Southwest Airlines.
How to add my Rapid Rewards number to my reservation before checking in?
You can usually add your Rapid Rewards number when booking your flight, or later by retrieving your reservation on southwest.com and modifying the passenger details. You can also add it at the airport kiosk or ticket counter.
How to deal with a dead phone battery if I have a mobile boarding pass?
If your phone battery dies, you'll need to go to a Southwest self-service kiosk or the ticket counter at the airport to print a physical boarding pass.
How to know when to arrive at the gate for my Southwest flight?
Southwest recommends arriving at the gate area no later than 30 minutes prior to your flight's scheduled departure time, and having your boarding pass and being available for boarding at least 10 minutes prior to departure.
