Hey there, frequent flyer! Ever found yourself wondering about Southwest Airlines' seating policy? It's a common question, especially since they've historically operated a bit differently from other airlines. Well, get ready for some exciting updates because Southwest is evolving! While they've been known for their "open seating" model, they're now introducing more options for seat selection. Let's dive into the details and help you navigate the process like a pro.
Can You Reserve Seats on Southwest Airlines? A Comprehensive Guide
For years, Southwest Airlines has been famous (or infamous, depending on your perspective!) for its "open seating" policy. This meant no assigned seats; passengers boarded in groups and picked any available seat they liked. This unique approach fostered a sense of freedom, but it also led to strategic check-ins and sometimes a frantic dash for desirable spots.
However, Southwest is making some significant changes to its seating and fare structure, introducing more options for passengers to choose their seats. This is a game-changer for many travelers! While the traditional open seating model isn't entirely gone for all fare types, you now have more ways to secure your preferred spot.
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| Can You Reserve Seats On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Understanding Southwest's Evolving Seating Philosophy
Before we get into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand the shift in Southwest's approach. They are moving towards a system that offers more choice and control over your seating experience, particularly with their new fare bundles.
The Old Way: Open Seating (Still Applies to Some Fares)
Historically, Southwest's boarding process revolved around three groups: A, B, and C, with numbers 1-60. Your boarding position was primarily determined by when you checked in for your flight (exactly 24 hours before departure was key!). The earlier your boarding position, the better your chances of snagging your desired seat – window, aisle, or next to your travel companions. This meant a lot of alarm setting and quick fingers!
The New Way: Introducing Seat Options and Fare Bundles
Southwest is now rolling out new fare bundles and seat options that allow for varying degrees of seat selection. This is a big change! They're introducing:
Extra Legroom Seats: These offer a roomier experience, located at the front of the cabin and near exit rows, with up to five additional inches of legroom on some aircraft. These also come with earlier access to overhead bin space, enhanced snacks, and complimentary premium beverages.
Preferred Seats: These are standard legroom seats located closer to the front of the cabin.
Standard Seats: These are standard legroom seats typically located in the back of the cabin.
These seat options are tied to new fare bundles, giving you more control over your experience from the moment you book.
Step 2: Navigating the New Fare Bundles and Their Seating Benefits
QuickTip: A careful read saves time later.
Southwest is updating its fare bundles, which directly impact your seat selection capabilities. Understanding these is key to reserving your preferred spot.
Sub-heading: Basic Fare (Replaces Wanna Get Away)
Seat Selection: Standard seat assigned at check-in. This is the most restrictive option. You won't be able to select your seat at the time of booking. Your seat will be assigned to you when you check in for your flight.
Best for: Budget-conscious travelers who prioritize the lowest price and don't mind where they sit.
Sub-heading: Choice Fare (Replaces Wanna Get Away Plus)
Seat Selection: Standard seat selection at booking. This is where you start to gain some control! You can choose a standard seat when you make your reservation.
Best for: Travelers who want to ensure they don't get stuck in a middle seat or want to sit with their travel companions.
Sub-heading: Choice Preferred Fare (Replaces Anytime)
Seat Selection: Preferred seat (or any Standard seat) selection at booking. This gives you access to those desirable seats closer to the front of the plane, in addition to any standard seat.
Best for: Those who value convenience and a slightly better boarding position, ensuring they can get off the plane sooner.
Sub-heading: Choice Extra Fare (Replaces Business Select)
Seat Selection: Extra Legroom seat (or any seat) selection at booking. This is the premium option, offering the most spacious seats and the highest level of control over your seating.
Best for: Travelers who prioritize comfort, extra space, and the earliest possible boarding.
Step 3: How to Reserve Your Seat (Depending on Your Fare)
The process of "reserving" your seat on Southwest will vary based on the fare you purchase.
Sub-heading: For Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra Fares
Book Your Flight: When you go through the booking process on Southwest.com or the Southwest app, you'll select your desired fare bundle (Choice, Choice Preferred, or Choice Extra).
Select Your Seat (at Booking): As part of the booking flow, you'll be presented with a seat map and the option to choose your seat, according to your fare type.
If you chose Choice: You'll select from available Standard seats.
If you chose Choice Preferred: You'll select from available Preferred seats or any Standard seat.
If you chose Choice Extra: You'll select from available Extra Legroom seats or any other available seat.
Confirm Your Selection: Once you've picked your seat, confirm your choice and proceed with the rest of your booking. Your selected seat will be secured!
Sub-heading: For Basic Fares (Assigned at Check-in)
Tip: Focus on sections most relevant to you.
Book Your Basic Fare Flight: When you book a Basic fare, you will not have the option to select a seat at the time of purchase.
Check-in 24 Hours Before Departure: The key to getting a decent seat with a Basic fare (or to simply influence your boarding position to get a better choice of what's left) is to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure.
Set an alarm! Be ready to hit that check-in button as soon as the clock strikes the 24-hour mark.
You'll be assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a number within that group. The earlier your boarding position, the better your chances of finding a desirable seat among those still available on the plane.
Board the Plane and Pick Your Seat: When your boarding group is called, you'll enter the aircraft and choose any unoccupied seat. This is where the traditional "open seating" aspect still comes into play for Basic fares.
Step 4: Maximizing Your Chances for a Preferred Seat (Even with Open Seating)
Even with the new seat selection options, understanding Southwest's boarding process remains valuable, especially if you're flying on a Basic fare or if your desired seat type isn't available for selection.
Sub-heading: EarlyBird Check-In (An Add-On for Better Boarding)
What it is: EarlyBird Check-In automatically checks you in and assigns you a boarding position before the general 24-hour check-in window. While it doesn't guarantee an "A" boarding position, it significantly increases your chances of getting a better spot (often A or early B), giving you earlier access to available seats.
How to purchase: You can add EarlyBird Check-In during the initial booking process or add it to an existing reservation up to 36 hours before departure, subject to availability. The price varies based on demand and flight length.
Consideration: EarlyBird Check-In is non-refundable if you cancel your flight. If you change your flight, it may transfer depending on the new flight's departure time.
Sub-heading: Upgraded Boarding (Last-Minute Priority)
What it is: If available, you can purchase Upgraded Boarding starting 24 hours before your flight's departure. This guarantees you an A1-A15 boarding position, putting you at the very front of the line.
How to purchase: Available at the gate or through the Southwest app starting 24 hours before departure, if spots are open. The cost varies.
Best for: Those who absolutely must have a specific seat (like the front row or an exit row) or who are traveling with important carry-on items and want overhead bin space.
Sub-heading: A-List and A-List Preferred Status
What it is: Southwest's elite status tiers for frequent flyers. A-List and A-List Preferred members receive priority boarding (automatically assigned an earlier boarding position 36 hours prior to departure) for themselves and everyone on their reservation. A-List Preferred members also get free inflight internet and other perks.
How to achieve: Earned by flying a certain number of qualifying one-way flights or earning a specific amount of tier qualifying points in a calendar year.
Benefit: This is one of the most reliable ways to consistently get an early boarding position and thus, a better choice of seats.
Sub-heading: Business Select Fare (Now Choice Extra)
What it is: Previously, the Business Select fare automatically provided an A1-A15 boarding position. With the new changes, the "Choice Extra" fare bundle includes the ability to select Extra Legroom seats at booking, which effectively means you're getting a prime spot from the start.
Perks: Beyond seating, Business Select (now Choice Extra) offers more Rapid Rewards points, refundable fares, free same-day changes, and complimentary premium drinks.
Cost: This is typically the most expensive fare option.
Sub-heading: Family Boarding
What it is: If you're traveling with a child aged six or younger, you can board during "Family Boarding," which occurs after the A group has boarded but before the B group.
How to utilize: Simply listen for the announcement at the gate. This allows families to board together and find seats without the pressure of checking in precisely 24 hours prior.
Important Note: This applies to two adults per child (age six or younger) and their children. Other family members in your party will need to board with their assigned group.
Step 5: Onboard Seating Experience
Once you board your Southwest flight, the process of finding your seat is straightforward:
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
Locate Your Boarding Group and Number: Your boarding pass will clearly display your group (A, B, or C) and your number (e.g., A35).
Line Up: At the gate, you'll see marked stanchions indicating where each boarding position should line up. When your group is called, find your spot in line.
Enter the Aircraft: Once you enter the plane, you'll see rows of seats.
Choose Your Seat: If you're on a Basic fare or if you haven't pre-selected a specific seat type, you'll simply look for any open seat that suits you. If you've chosen a Preferred or Extra Legroom seat with your fare, head to that designated area. Remember, even with pre-selected seat types, the specific seat number within that type (e.g., window vs. aisle in Extra Legroom) is still first-come, first-served within your boarding group, though you are guaranteed a seat of that type.
Stow Your Belongings: Place your carry-on in the overhead bin and your personal item under the seat in front of you.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to get the best seat on Southwest without paying extra?
The best way to get a good seat on Southwest without paying extra is to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure time. This typically secures an earlier boarding position (often in the A or early B group), giving you a wider selection of available seats when you board.
How to ensure my family sits together on Southwest?
To ensure your family sits together on Southwest, you have a few options:
Purchase Choice, Choice Preferred, or Choice Extra fares which allow for seat selection at booking.
If flying on a Basic fare, check in precisely 24 hours before departure to get an early boarding position.
If traveling with a child aged six or younger, utilize Family Boarding (after the A group and before the B group).
How to know my boarding position on Southwest?
Your boarding group (A, B, or C) and boarding number (1-60+) will be displayed on your boarding pass once you have checked in for your flight (either online, via the app, or at the airport).
How to purchase EarlyBird Check-In for Southwest?
You can purchase EarlyBird Check-In for Southwest during the initial booking process on Southwest.com or the Southwest app, or you can add it to an existing reservation up to 36 hours before your flight, subject to availability.
How to purchase Upgraded Boarding on Southwest?
Tip: Context builds as you keep reading.
Upgraded Boarding on Southwest can be purchased starting 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure, either at the airport gate or through the Southwest app, if available. It guarantees an A1-A15 boarding position.
How to get an "A" boarding pass on Southwest?
To get an "A" boarding pass on Southwest, you can:
Purchase a Choice Extra fare (formerly Business Select).
Have A-List or A-List Preferred elite status.
Purchase Upgraded Boarding (if available) within 24 hours of departure.
Be among the very first to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight (for other fare types).
How to check in for a Southwest flight?
You can check in for a Southwest flight online at Southwest.com, through the Southwest mobile app, or at a Southwest airport kiosk or ticket counter, starting 24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure.
How to change my seat after booking on Southwest?
If your fare allows for seat selection (Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra), you generally select your seat at the time of booking. For Basic fares, your seat is assigned at check-in. If you wish to change your type of seat (e.g., from Standard to Preferred), you might need to upgrade your fare if a higher tier is available and offers that option.
How to find out if my flight has Extra Legroom seats?
All Southwest aircraft are being retrofitted to include Extra Legroom seats. When you are booking a Choice Extra fare, the option to select these seats will be available if they are on your specific aircraft. You can also look for details on Southwest's website regarding their new cabin configurations.
How to get priority boarding on Southwest?
Priority boarding on Southwest can be achieved by:
Purchasing a Choice Extra fare.
Having A-List or A-List Preferred status.
Purchasing EarlyBird Check-In.
Purchasing Upgraded Boarding.
Utilizing Family Boarding if traveling with a child age six or younger.
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