It's almost travel time, and you're wondering how to get that all-important Southwest Airlines boarding pass in your hand (or on your phone) without any last-minute airport panic. You've come to the right place! Printing your Southwest boarding pass online is a super easy and convenient way to streamline your airport experience. Let's get you set up for a smooth journey, step-by-step!
Your Essential Guide: Printing Your Southwest Airlines Boarding Pass Online
Southwest Airlines, famous for its open seating policy, makes online check-in a crucial part of securing a good boarding position. The earlier you check in, the better your chances of snagging your preferred seat on the plane. So, let's dive into how you can get that boarding pass ready to go!
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| How Do I Print My Boarding Pass For Southwest Airlines Online |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Check In? Timing is Everything!
First things first, let's ensure you're within the check-in window. Southwest allows you to check in for your flight exactly 24 hours prior to its scheduled departure time. This is a critical detail, as your check-in time directly impacts your boarding position (A, B, or C group, and a number within that group).
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For Domestic Flights: The 24-hour window applies. Be ready to check in right at that mark for the best possible boarding position.
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For International Flights: While you can check in online, you'll still need to verify your passport with an agent or kiosk at the Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter at least 60 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Keep this in mind!
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EarlyBird Check-In Users: If you purchased EarlyBird Check-In, congratulations! Southwest will automatically check you in and assign your boarding position 36 hours before your flight's departure. While you still need to retrieve your boarding pass, the stress of the 24-hour dash is removed.
Pro Tip: Set an alarm on your phone for exactly 24 hours before your flight's departure to give yourself the best chance at an "A" boarding group. This can make a huge difference in seat selection!
Step 2: Accessing the Southwest Check-In Portal
There are two primary ways to access the online check-in portal:
Sub-heading: Option A: Via the Southwest Airlines Website
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Open your web browser: Go to the official Southwest Airlines website:
www.southwest.com -
Navigate to "Check In": On the homepage, you'll typically see a prominent "Check In" tab or button. Click on it.
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Enter your flight details: You'll be prompted to enter your:
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Confirmation Number: This is a 6-digit alphanumeric code found on your booking confirmation email.
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First Name: As it appears on your reservation.
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Last Name: As it appears on your reservation.
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Click "Check In": Once all information is entered correctly, hit the "Check In" button.
QuickTip: Slow scrolling helps comprehension.
Sub-heading: Option B: Using the Southwest Airlines Mobile App
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Download the App: If you haven't already, download the free Southwest Airlines mobile app from your device's app store (available for iOS and Android). This app is incredibly useful for managing your flights on the go.
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Open the App: Launch the Southwest app.
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Log In (Optional but Recommended): While you can check in as a guest, logging into your Rapid Rewards account will often pre-populate your flight information, making the process even quicker.
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Find Your Trip: Look for a section like "My Trips" or "Check In." You'll likely see your upcoming flight listed if you're logged in.
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Initiate Check-In: Select your flight and follow the prompts to begin the check-in process. You may need to confirm your name and confirmation number if not logged in.
Step 3: Completing the Check-In Process
Once you've entered your details, Southwest will verify your information and officially check you in.
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Confirm Passenger Details: You may be asked to confirm passenger details or acknowledge any travel advisories.
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Review Boarding Position: This is the exciting part! Once checked in, your boarding group (A, B, or C) and boarding position (a number from 1 to 60+) will be displayed. Remember, Southwest uses a unique "A-B-C" and numerical position system instead of assigned seats.
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Add Baggage (if applicable): If you plan to check bags, you'll have the option to indicate this during the online check-in process, though you'll still need to drop them off at the airport.
Step 4: Printing Your Boarding Pass
Now that you're checked in, it's time to get that physical boarding pass in hand!
Sub-heading: Option A: Printing Directly from the Website
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Locate the "Print Boarding Pass" Button: After successful check-in on the website, you should see a clear option to "Print Boarding Pass."
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Verify Your Printer: Ensure your printer is connected, turned on, and has enough paper and ink.
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Print the Document: Click the print button. A print preview window will usually appear. Review it to make sure everything looks correct, then send it to your printer.
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Keep it Safe: Once printed, store your boarding pass in a safe and easily accessible place like your travel document folder or wallet.
Sub-heading: Option B: Using a Mobile Boarding Pass (Highly Recommended!)
Southwest Airlines offers a fantastic mobile boarding pass option, which can often negate the need for a physical printout.
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Access on the App: After checking in via the Southwest app, tap on the "Boarding Pass" button.
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Save to Mobile Wallet: You'll typically have the option to save your mobile boarding pass directly to your phone's digital wallet (Apple Wallet for iPhones, Google Pay for Android). This is highly recommended as it provides quick, offline access.
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Screenshot (Android Only): If you're on an Android device and prefer not to use Google Pay, you can often take a screenshot of your boarding pass for easy access in your photo gallery.
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Present at Security and Gate: When you get to the airport, simply present your mobile boarding pass on your phone screen to TSA agents and the gate agent during boarding. The QR code on the pass will be scanned.
Tip: Break long posts into short reading sessions.
Sub-heading: Option C: Emailing or Texting Your Boarding Pass
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Select Delivery Option: During the online check-in process (either on the website or app), you might see options to have your boarding pass emailed to you or sent as a text message.
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Receive and Access: Open the email or text message on your device. The boarding pass will usually be an attachment (PDF) or a link to a mobile-friendly version.
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Print from Email (if preferred): If it's a PDF attachment, you can open it and print it from your computer if you still want a physical copy.
Step 5: What if I Can't Print Online? Airport Options!
Don't fret if for some reason you can't print your boarding pass online. Southwest provides several convenient options at the airport:
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Self-Service Kiosks: Most airports served by Southwest have self-service kiosks. You can typically scan your ID, enter your confirmation number, or swipe a credit card to retrieve and print your boarding pass.
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Ticket Counter: Head to the Southwest Airlines ticket counter. A friendly agent will be happy to assist you with checking in and printing your boarding pass.
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Curbside Check-in (Domestic only, where available): For domestic flights, some airports offer curbside check-in. You can get your boarding pass here and check bags without going inside the terminal.
Step 6: Understanding Your Boarding Position (A, B, C)
Southwest's unique open seating policy means your boarding position is key.
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Group A: Generally the first to board, offering the best choice of seats and overhead bin space. Achieved by checking in earliest, Business Select fares, or EarlyBird Check-In.
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Group B: Boards after Group A. Still offers decent seat selection.
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Group C: Boards last. You might find fewer overhead bin options and mostly middle seats available.
Remember: Your boarding pass will clearly display your assigned group and number (e.g., "A35"). Line up at the designated pole for your number when your group is called at the gate.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to get the best boarding position on Southwest Airlines?
To get the best boarding position (e.g., A1-A15), check in online exactly 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure, or purchase EarlyBird Check-In, which automatically checks you in 36 hours prior to departure.
QuickTip: Reread tricky spots right away.
How to add EarlyBird Check-In to an existing Southwest reservation?
You can add EarlyBird Check-In to an existing reservation by going to "Manage Reservation" on the Southwest website or app, entering your confirmation number and name, and looking for the EarlyBird option. This can be done up to 36 hours prior to departure, subject to availability and a fee.
How to use a mobile boarding pass for Southwest Airlines?
After checking in on the Southwest app, tap the "Boarding Pass" button and save it to your phone's digital wallet (Apple Wallet or Google Pay). Present your phone screen with the scannable QR code at the TSA checkpoint and at the boarding gate.
How to check in for a Southwest international flight online?
You can check in for a Southwest international flight online 24 hours prior to departure, but you must still present your passport and verify your documents with a Southwest agent at the ticket counter or kiosk at least 60 minutes before departure.
How to print a Southwest boarding pass if I don't have a printer?
If you don't have a printer, you can use a mobile boarding pass on your phone, email the boarding pass to yourself and print it at a business center or hotel, or print it at a self-service kiosk or the ticket counter at the airport.
Tip: Jot down one takeaway from this post.
How to change my seat on a Southwest flight after checking in?
Southwest Airlines has an open seating policy, so you don't select a seat when you check in. Your boarding position (A, B, or C group and number) determines when you board, and you then choose any available seat on the plane. If you want an earlier boarding position for better seat choice, consider EarlyBird Check-In or upgrading your boarding at the gate (if available).
How to check my flight status for Southwest Airlines?
You can check your Southwest Airlines flight status on their website (
How to get a physical boarding pass if I only have a mobile one?
If you only have a mobile boarding pass but prefer a physical copy, you can go to a self-service kiosk at the airport and use your confirmation number to print a physical boarding pass, or request one at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter.
How to deal with boarding pass issues (e.g., not loading, incorrect information)?
If you encounter issues with your boarding pass (e.g., it's not loading, or has incorrect information), try restarting the app or browser, clearing your cache, or contacting Southwest Airlines customer service directly at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). At the airport, proceed to a self-service kiosk or the ticket counter for assistance.
How to add a lap child to my Southwest reservation and boarding pass?
For domestic flights, you can typically add a lap child (under 2 years old) to your reservation at the airport ticket counter or self-service kiosk. A boarding pass for the lap child will be issued at that time. For international flights, it's best to contact Southwest Airlines customer service beforehand.
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