Southwest Airlines is famous for its unique "open seating" policy, which means there are no assigned seats. This can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you have the freedom to choose where you sit. On the other hand, if you're not quick on the draw, you might end up in a middle seat at the back of the plane. This is where Southwest Airlines EarlyBird Check-In swoops in to save the day (and your preferred seat!).
What Exactly is EarlyBird Check-In?
Think of EarlyBird Check-In as a way to get a head start in the Southwest Airlines boarding lottery. For a fee, Southwest automatically checks you in well before the standard 24-hour check-in window opens for everyone else. This significantly increases your chances of getting an earlier boarding position, which translates to a better opportunity to select your preferred seat and secure overhead bin space.
It's important to understand that EarlyBird Check-In does not guarantee you an A1-A15 boarding position (those are typically reserved for Business Select fares and A-List members), but it does put you ahead of the general population who check in manually.
Ready to demystify this process and potentially snag that coveted window or aisle seat? Let's dive in!
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| How Does Southwest Airlines Early Bird Check In Work |
A Step-by-Step Guide to Southwest Airlines EarlyBird Check-In
Step 1: Are You Ready to Board Smarter, Not Harder?
Before we even get to the "how-to," ask yourself: Are you tired of the stress of racing to check-in exactly 24 hours before your Southwest flight? Do you prioritize getting a specific seat or ensuring your group sits together? If you answered "yes" to any of these, then EarlyBird Check-In might be your new best friend. It's all about convenience and peace of mind when it comes to Southwest's unique boarding system.
Step 2: Understanding Southwest's Boarding Groups and How EarlyBird Fits In
Southwest Airlines uses a system of boarding groups (A, B, and C) and positions (1-60+). Your boarding pass will display your assigned group and number, for example, A35 or B12.
Group A: Generally the first to board, often including Business Select passengers, A-List/A-List Preferred members, and those with the earliest EarlyBird Check-In.
Group B: Boards after Group A.
Group C: The last to board, often leaving limited seat choices.
EarlyBird Check-In positions you within these groups based on when you purchased the service and your fare type. The earlier you purchase EarlyBird, the better your chances of securing an earlier position within a group.
Sub-heading: The 36-Hour Advantage
QuickTip: Take a pause every few paragraphs.
The key benefit of EarlyBird Check-In is that Southwest automatically checks you in 36 hours before your flight's scheduled departure time. This is a full 12 hours before the general 24-hour online check-in window opens for all other passengers. This head start is what gives you a significant advantage in the boarding order.
Step 3: Purchasing EarlyBird Check-In
There are a couple of convenient ways to purchase EarlyBird Check-In.
Sub-heading: Purchasing During Initial Flight Booking
This is often the most straightforward and recommended method.
Go to Southwest.com or use the Southwest mobile app.
Search for your desired flights as you normally would.
Select your flights and proceed to the payment screen.
As you go through the booking process, you'll typically see an option to "Add EarlyBird Check-In" for each leg of your journey. Make sure to select it for every one-way segment you wish to have the benefit.
The price for EarlyBird Check-In varies, generally ranging from $15 to $99 per person, per one-way flight, depending on the route's popularity and demand. The price will be clearly displayed before you confirm your purchase.
Complete your booking and payment. You'll receive a confirmation email detailing your flight and EarlyBird purchase.
Sub-heading: Adding EarlyBird to an Existing Reservation
Forgot to add it initially, or decided you want the extra peace of mind after booking? No problem!
Go to Southwest.com or use the Southwest mobile app.
Navigate to "Manage Reservations" or "Change/Cancel Flight."
Enter your confirmation number and first and last name.
Once your reservation loads, you should see an option to "Add EarlyBird Check-In" if it's still available for your flight. Availability is key here – EarlyBird Check-In is not always available, especially for very full flights or last-minute bookings.
Select the passengers and flights for which you want to add EarlyBird.
Proceed with payment.
Important Note: You can typically add EarlyBird Check-In up to 36 hours prior to your flight's scheduled local departure time. However, it's always best to purchase it as early as possible for the best chance at a favorable boarding position. The earlier you buy, the better your relative position among other EarlyBird purchasers.
Step 4: What Happens After You Purchase EarlyBird Check-In? (The Automatic Part!)
This is where the "automatic" magic of EarlyBird Check-In comes into play, significantly reducing your travel day stress.
Sub-heading: No Need to Set Alarms!
Tip: Take your time with each sentence.
Unlike standard check-in where you'd typically set an alarm for precisely 24 hours before your flight to snag a good boarding position, with EarlyBird, you don't need to do anything at the 36-hour mark. Southwest's system takes care of it for you.
Sub-heading: Automated Boarding Position Assignment
Approximately 36 hours before your flight's scheduled departure, Southwest's system will automatically check you in and assign your boarding position. This position is determined by several factors, including:
Your fare type (Business Select always gets A1-A15).
Your Rapid Rewards A-List or A-List Preferred status (if applicable).
The time you purchased EarlyBird Check-In relative to other EarlyBird purchasers.
The total number of Business Select passengers and A-List members on your specific flight.
Sub-heading: How to Confirm Your EarlyBird Purchase
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If you're wondering if your EarlyBird purchase "stuck," you can usually see an EarlyBird symbol (often a sunrise icon) next to your name on your flight reservation within the Southwest app or on Southwest.com. This is your visual confirmation.
Step 5: Retrieving Your Boarding Pass (Still Required!)
While EarlyBird automatically checks you in and assigns your boarding position, you still need to retrieve your boarding pass within the traditional 24-hour check-in window.
Sub-heading: When and How to Get Your Boarding Pass
24 hours before your flight's scheduled departure, log in to Southwest.com or open the Southwest mobile app.
Go to the "Check In" section.
Enter your confirmation number and first and last name.
You'll then see your automatically assigned boarding group and number.
You can choose to:
Get a mobile boarding pass on the Southwest app.
Print your boarding pass at home.
Receive your boarding pass via email or text.
Print it at an airport kiosk or ticket counter when you arrive.
Even though you're checking in at 24 hours, remember your boarding position was already secured at the 36-hour mark thanks to EarlyBird! This step is simply about getting the physical or digital pass.
Step 6: Boarding the Aircraft
On the day of travel, head to your gate. Southwest's boarding process is straightforward:
Tip: Break long posts into short reading sessions.
Line Up: At the gate, you'll see numbered poles corresponding to boarding positions. Find your assigned boarding group (A, B, or C) and position (1-60+).
Listen for Announcements: The gate agent will call for pre-boarders first, then Business Select (A1-A15), followed by A-List/A-List Preferred, and then "Family Boarding" (for those with children aged six or younger). After that, the A group will be called in numerical order, followed by B, and then C.
Choose Your Seat: Once your group is called, you'll board the aircraft. Since Southwest has open seating, you can choose any available seat! Your earlier boarding position from EarlyBird Check-In significantly increases your chances of getting your preferred window or aisle seat, or finding seats together with your travel companions.
Overhead Bin Space: An earlier boarding position also means earlier access to overhead bin space, which is a major perk, especially on fuller flights.
And that's it! By following these steps, you can leverage Southwest Airlines EarlyBird Check-In to make your travel experience much smoother and more enjoyable.
10 Related FAQ Questions about Southwest EarlyBird Check-In
How to: Is EarlyBird Check-In worth the cost?
Answer: It depends on your priorities! If you highly value getting a specific seat (window/aisle), want to ensure your group sits together, or prefer to avoid the stress of checking in exactly 24 hours before your flight, then yes, it's often worth the $15-$99 fee per segment. If you're flexible with seating and good at setting alarms, you might not need it.
How to: Does EarlyBird Check-In guarantee an "A" boarding position?
Answer: No, EarlyBird Check-In does not guarantee an "A" boarding position. The first 15 positions (A1-A15) are reserved for Business Select fares, and A-List/A-List Preferred members also get priority. However, EarlyBird does significantly improve your chances of getting an A or early B boarding position compared to standard check-in.
How to: Purchase EarlyBird Check-In after I've already booked my flight?
Answer: Yes, you can! Go to "Manage Reservations" on Southwest.com or the Southwest app, enter your confirmation details, and look for the option to "Add EarlyBird Check-In." This is generally available up to 36 hours before your flight, but it's subject to availability and may not be an option for all flights.
How to: Know if my EarlyBird Check-In purchase was successful?
Answer: On your reservation details within the Southwest app or Southwest.com, you should see a small "EarlyBird" symbol, often depicted as a sunrise, next to your name or flight segment, confirming the purchase.
Tip: Scroll slowly when the content gets detailed.
How to: Get a refund for EarlyBird Check-In if I cancel my flight?
Answer: Generally, EarlyBird Check-In purchases are non-refundable. However, if Southwest Airlines cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change (typically 3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international) and you choose to cancel as a result, you may be eligible for a refund.
How to: Transfer EarlyBird Check-In if I change my flight?
Answer: Yes, if you change your flight, your EarlyBird Check-In will generally transfer to the new flight, provided the change is made at least 25 hours before the original flight time. If you need to cancel, it's often advised to "change" your flight to a future date to preserve the EarlyBird benefit.
How to: Check in if I have EarlyBird Check-In?
Answer: With EarlyBird Check-In, Southwest automatically checks you in 36 hours before departure. However, you still need to retrieve your boarding pass within 24 hours of your flight by logging into Southwest.com or the app, entering your confirmation, and selecting how you want to receive your pass (mobile, print, etc.).
How to: Prioritize seating for families with EarlyBird Check-In?
Answer: While EarlyBird helps everyone get a better boarding position, Southwest also offers "Family Boarding" after the A group and before the B group for families traveling with a child aged six or younger. If your entire group has EarlyBird, you'll likely board earlier and have more options to sit together.
How to: Get the best possible boarding position with EarlyBird Check-In?
Answer: To maximize your chances of a very early boarding position with EarlyBird, purchase it as soon as you book your flight. The earlier your purchase timestamp compared to other EarlyBird customers on the same flight, the better your relative position will be.
How to: Get EarlyBird Check-In for free?
Answer: Some Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer complimentary EarlyBird Check-In benefits each year. Check the specific benefits of your Southwest credit card to see if this is included. Otherwise, it is a paid add-on.
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