When you check in early, you are at an advantage in many ways. You are freed from the hassle of waiting in long queues at the airport. What’s more, you can even get a preferred seat. This gives you peace of mind as well. All the airlines have policies regarding early check-in, and each differs from the other in terms of the rules and regulations. So, regarding Southwest Airlines, can you check 24 hours before departure? If so, then how do you check in? This is what we will discuss in this article. Read on to know more.
Can You Check-in 24 Hours Before Your Flight’s Scheduled Departure at Southwest Airlines?
Yes, Southwest Airlines allows you to check in 24 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure. You can check in online at the Southwest Airlines website. All you need is some vital itinerary details, such as your First Name, Last Name, and Confirmation Number. Once you have that, you can go ahead with the online check-in process.
How Do You Check-in For Southwest Airlines Reservation Before 24 Hours?
Here are a few steps to help you complete the online check-in.
- Go to southwest.com
- Click on the Flight tab that you’ll find on the upper part of the page
- You’ll get a drop-down. Towards the end, you’ll come across a Check-in option. Click on it.
- You’ll be routed to a page that asks for your confirmation number, first name, and last name. Enter all the information required and click on Check-in.
- Once that’s done, you can print out your boarding pass online or download it on the Southwest App on your mobile device.
Southwest Airlines Earlybird Policy
If you are eligible for Southwest’s Early Bird policy, you will get several facilities regarding your check-in.
- You can check in automatically even before Southwest Airlines’ 24-hour check-in timeline, though it depends on availability.
- You can choose your boarding position early if enrolled on Earlybird Check-in. In fact, for Early Bird users, the boarding position is assigned around 36 hours prior to the flight’s scheduled departure. This means you have the privilege of early boarding positions around 12 hours before the availability of the general boarding position. That’s an advantage indeed.
- You also get an opportunity to select a seat of your choice (that is available) over others who aren’t enrolled on Earlybird.
- You get early access to overhead bins, which gives you an advantage over others.
One thing to remember is that the advantages of Earlybird check-in depend on the availability of the seats. If you are an A-List or A-List Preferred Member of Southwest Airlines, you are not eligible to purchase Earlybird Check-in as you have priority boarding privileges. The same goes for minors traveling unaccompanied since they’ll preboard the Southwest flight.
How to Purchase Earlybird Check-in?
- Visit southwestvacations.com. During check-out, select Earlybird Check-in (if available).
- If your vacation package is already booked, you can purchase Earlybird at Southwest.com. You may do the same 36 hours before the flight’s scheduled departure. The price for Earlybird starts at $15 per person and is subject to change.
Why Should You Check-in 24 Hours Before at Southwest Airlines?
When you book, you have a Southwest Airlines flight schedule, and you check in 24 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure. This helps you get a better boarding group based on availability. Southwest Airlines has three boarding groups: A, B, and C. Group A and Group B are considered the best and can be availed of if you opt for Earlybird.
However, if you haven’t purchased Earlybird, checking in 24 hours before your departure may still help you get a decent seat as per availability. Moreover, if you just have your hand baggage, checking in 24 hours before your travel time enables you to avoid the long queues.
Conclusion
When you check-in 24 hours before the departure time, or have an Earlybird facility which gives you the benefit of automatic check-in, your travel experience becomes easier, and convenient. When you have a good boarding position, and a seat of your choice, your flight journey becomes a fulfilling one.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can check in 24 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure at Southwest Airlines for a convenient and hassle-free flying experience.
You can check in online at southwest.com or download the Southwest App on your phone.
After completing the online check-in, you may print your boarding pass or download it through the Southwest app. When you check in via Southwest Airlines’ official website, you can choose to have your boarding pass sent to your device via email or text message.
Southwest Airlines has an open seating system. This means that no one is allocated a seat from before. Seats are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Even if you have purchased an Earlybird check-in, you will get your desired seat only if available.
When you check-in, Southwest Airlines assigns you a boarding group – A, B, C, and positions 1-60+. The number displayed on your boarding pass is a combination of your group and position, for eg B25. When you purchase the Earlybird check-in you may experience an upgrade in your boarding position if there’s availability.
If you have a Southwest airlines reservation, an early check-in increases your prospect of a better boarding position, and also of selecting seats as per your choices upon availability. Te chances are higher when you purchase Earlybird.
Go to southwest.com, click on flight. At the lower end of the page you’ll find FRlight Status. Click on it. Fill in the required fields which include Departure city or Airport code/Arrival city or Airport code, departure date, and flight number. Click on search. You’ll get the informatio you are looking for.