Southwest Airlines has never been your run-of-the-mill airline. Of course, it never will be. If its open seating wasn’t already enough, why not try these two apps that could make the Southwest experience more fun? This unique system has its set rules, strategies, and considerations that savvy travelers should know to maximize the flying experience. In this article we will take a sneak peek into Southwest Airlines seat selection, to help you better with your travel.
Southwest Airlines Seat Selection Policy
Independent of its assigned seating is the so-called “open seating” policy wherein its customers are not given seats for the duration of the trip. And for some travelers—such as first-timers to the company—the system is at the same time liberating and perplexing.
Open Seating Defined
Upon boarding, passengers may take any available seat. As per the Southwest Airlines seat selection policy, passengers are offered the privilege to choose a seat as per their choice based on availability. Like, you may select a seat right in front, near the window, or aisle as well. It all depends on the availability. However, the earlier you board, the better the chance of getting a seat that suits your needs.
In general, on any Southwest flight, all seats are the same size, although based on the type of aircraft, there might be an inch of legroom here or there. For instance, several rows, including those at emergency exits, offer extra space. Thus, this can serve as a parameter for very tall passengers or for passengers who wish to feel more comfortable and stretch out while they are up in the air.
Boarding Groups
To manage the process of boarding efficiently, Southwest Airlines designates passengers to one of the three boarding groups, which includes A, B, or C. This grouping is based on the order in which passengers check-in for their flights.
How Boarding Groups Work?
A Group: This group boards first and, as a result, gets to select the best seat. This group is then divided into positions A1 through A60, with A1 being the first to board on the plane.
B Group: After the A group, the B group is invited to board. The B group still has relatively good options for seats, though this group—just as with the A group—may very well not have the best seats available, depending on how full the flight is.
C Group: This is the last group allowed on board. It usually has the least number of choices in terms of seats. More often than not group C members have fewer choices, and sitting in the middle is usually the only option.
Strategies to Help You Choose Your Seats on Southwest Flights
When it comes to Southwest Airlines seat selection, you must follow a proper strategy to choose a good, and comfortable seat.
Buy a Business Select Fare: This assures you of boarding at the A1 to A15 order of priority. Here, you are assured of getting the seat you feel is appropriate for you; you won’t need to worry about scanning other queues for a spot.
Family Boarding: Families traveling with children under age 6 can board after the A group to ensure they have a better opportunity to sit together.
EarlyBird Check-In: The earlier you check in, the better your boarding position. Set a reminder to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight.
Leverage Elite Status: A-List and A-List Preferred members receive priority boarding benefits, which can help you snag better seats.
Read Also: Southwest Flights Now Appear On Kayak
Understanding Seat Type
Knowing different types of seats and their locations in the plane will come in very handy regarding Southwest Airlines seat selection. For example:
1. Exit Row seats – More legroom but with more responsibility in case of emergency. – They have runners and tend to fill up pretty fast.
2. Bulkhead Seats: These are the seats situated behind physical separations like walls or curtains. They offer more legroom, though usually the tray tables are smaller, and there is no floor storage during takeoff and landing.
3. Over-Wing Seats: This is ideal seating for a smoother ride if there is turbulence. An excellent view can be enjoyed from these seats, though sometimes the view is obstructed just for a while.
4. Front of the Plane: Quicker exit and quicker to deplane, although noise from the galley is sometimes a factor.
5. Back of the Plane: More often than not, these are usually the last to fill up, so it is more probable that you will have an empty middle seat beside you, but you will be the last to depart the plane.
Tips on How to Choose Your Seat On Southwest Flights
Here are some useful tips to follow for Southwest Airlines seat selection:
1. Planning: Do you like legroom and a window seat, or do you prefer a seat close to the aisle?
2. Quick movement: Walk down any aisle scanning for a better available seat. Do not stop and in the next minute do a lot of contemplation because other passengers are scanning for better seats behind you.
3. Consider Your Needs: Consider if it’s a tight connection and in that case, it might be better to sit towards the front so you can be one of the first off the plane. If you’re a tall person, you may want to search for exit rows or bulkhead seats.
4. Be Flexible: If you don’t get your best option, have some alternatives in mind.
5. Seat-Saving to Etiquette: There is no objection to saving space for some companion who you are traveling with, who will be coming inside the plane shortly, but it is not highly recommended for saving whole rows since this very easily makes other passengers tensed with one another.
Special Consideration for Different Types of Travellers Regarding Southwest Airlines Seat Selection
There may be some minor variations in the calculation of the seat options available on Southwest Airlines for the following types of travelers:
1. Families with Young Children: Between the A and B groups, Southwest offers family boarding, which means families with children aged 6 and younger should be able to sit with each other.
2. Travelers with Disabilities: Preboarding is offered to travelers who need certain accommodations or who just need extra time.
3. Tall Passengers: Exit row or bulkhead seating for extra legroom is available upon boarding.
4. Nervous Flyers: The seats over the wing are usually the least subjected to turbulence and, therefore, could be what suits them best.
5. Business Travelers: If you intend to work during the flight, then the comfortable aisle seats or even the private window seats can be a great consideration.
Maximize Your Comfort
1. Bring some entertainment: Load your gadgets with lots of movies, books, and games to keep yourself occupied during the flight.
2. Pack smart: Organize things you’ll have to ransack into one small bag that you keep under the seat in front of you for easy accessibility.
3. Dress in layers: You never know if it’s going to be hot or cold on the plane, so dress in layers to keep your level of comfort fluid.
4. Stay Hydrated: Take along an empty water bottle and fill it up after the security check to stay hydrated for your flight.
5. Be Nice: Remember, everyone is in this together. Being a little kind goes a long way to ensure that the flight is pleasant for everyone.
Pros and Cons of Southwest’s Open Seating Policy
This unique approach by Southwest to its seating policy has its share of advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
- Flexibility: You aren’t locked into a preassigned seat that you might not like.
- No Extra Fees: Unlike many airlines, Southwest doesn’t charge for seat selection.
- Potential for Upgrades: Even with a later boarding position, you might snag a better seat if it’s still available.
- Family-Friendly: Family boarding is almost always advantageous, enabling family members to sit next to each other.
Cons:
- Uncertainty: You won’t know exactly where you will be seated until you board the aircraft.
- Potential Stress: Some passengers find having to hurry to check in, only to race for seats, stressful.
- Middle Seats: Should you have a higher boarding position, there may only be middle seats left.
- Seat Saving Disputes: Passengers intending to save seats for fellow passengers who board later can be disputed.
Future of Seats in Southwest Flights
So, does Southwest Airlines ever plan to revisit its open-seating policy during the changing times of the airline industry? As of now, there are no such plans, but the company is always at work on a lot of processes. The feature of being able to pick your seats on Southwest Airlines remains one of those unique to the airline, beyond the competitors, which is surely not the case.
Some industry experts argue that assigned seating could benefit Southwest by potentially reducing boarding times and eliminating some of the stress associated with the current system. However, Southwest maintains that its current policy provides the fastest and most efficient boarding process.
Making the Most of Southwest Airlines Seat Selection System
While, at first, the Southwest Airlines seat selection procedure can be a bit intimidating, for sure, with a little experience, most find it very flexible and welcome. A few more pointers about using the system like a pro, however, include:
1. Utilize the Southwest App For Your Smartphone: Download the Southwest application for your smartphone. This app enables you to check in super-fast and already has your boarding pass ready. It also provides real-time information on your flight.
2. Boarding Process Awareness: Understand how Americans board a Southwest plane. Line up at the posts numbered in your boarding position at the gate area. This relieves anxiety on the day of travel.
3. Prepare for Your Boarding Position: Do not fret if you happen to board in the line of a B or C boarding position. Good seating is still possible, only you might have to be flexible. Take it under advisement that you might want to sit closer to the front of the plane if you have a tight connection or at the back for an empty middle seat next to you.
4. Take Advantage of Southwest’s Unorthodox Policies: With Southwest, you can change or cancel your flight up to 10 minutes before the flight takes off without paying a fee. Handy if you’re trying to get your pick of seats on Southwest Airlines on a less-full flight.
5. Travel During Off-Peak Hours: If you have that flexibility, traveling during off-peak hours like midweek or off-peak hours during the day would open up your possibility to have better seat choices.
The Psychology of Selecting Seats
Understanding why people choose one type of seat over another can help you board the plane with better options. Research shows that people hold heavy preferences for a certain type of seat, generally defined by personality, or simple advantages of that type of seat regarding that trip:
1. Window Seats: These tend to be preferred by people who like getting a view and would like a surface on which they can lean to sleep.
2. Aisle Seats: Many of those who choose these seats do so to have easy access to overhead bins or to get up easily during flight.
3. Middle Seats: Generally the least favored, but sometimes taken by couples or friends traveling together who want to sit beside each other.
4. Front of the Plane: This area is chosen often by passengers who want to deplane quickly at their destination, or by the few who experience motion sickness, as there is less movement at the front.
5. Back of the plane: Some budget travelers are likely to travel back here in hopes of having a spare seat next to them when flights aren’t so full.
Conclusion
The Southwest Airlines seat selection procedure can be a little puzzling, but most travelers grow to love the eccentricities of this system. It exudes flexibility and offers the possibility for a quite unknown aspect of many currently assigned seating systems that truly defines the phrase “anyone can sit anywhere.”.
Remember—successful Southwest boarding is all about being prepared, right? Check in as early as you are able to take advantage of the best seats.
You may be a frequent traveler or an occasional flyer to that company, the knowledge of how to crack the system for free with Southwest only makes your travel experience considerably better. With the knowledge you’ve gained from this guide about how to choose your seats on Southwest flights, you’ll be able to confidently pick out your seat assignment with Southwest Airlines on your next flight.
As the years pass, air travel matures. Seating is still a very special competitive edge for Southwest Airlines. Whether a passenger loves the thrill of the “seat lottery” or if a passenger prefers certainty with assigned seating, Southwest’s policy makes flying an exciting experience.
So the next time you take a flight with Southwest Airlines, use the opportunity to select your seat. Do it right, keep a good attitude, and you can turn the boarding process literally into one of the best parts of taking off on your travel adventure. Who knows, you might just end up with the best seat on the plane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Southwest Airlines does not pre-assign seats to passengers. Instead, you get to choose your seat on Southwest flights when you board the flight. Your boarding position determines where you are in line to board and, in turn, affects seat availability. The earlier you board, the more seat choices you have.
Yes, checking in early would increase your chances of getting a better seat. Southwest assigns its boarding positions based on check-in time. So, the earlier you check in (beginning 24 hours before departure), the more likely you are going to get a good boarding position and thus available seat selection.
No, Southwest Airlines doesn’t assign seats. Their open seating policy allows passengers to select any seat available on the aircraft upon boarding. The boarding position shall be awaiting you and will help in choosing your seat choices, according to the check-in time or type of fare purchased.
Southwest does not guarantee seat assignments or even seating together but offers family boarding between the A and B groups for those with kids less than 6 years of age. For others, early boarding—through checking in early or by buying EarlyBird Check-In—improves the chances of seats together.
It might be worth it to check in for a better seat with EarlyBird Check-In; it automatically checks you 36 hours prior to your flight’s depsarture time, generally giving you a better boarding position. Its value lies in how important your seat preferences are and whether you want to pay more for them.
The policy regarding seat-saving at Southwest is a highly debated issue. While it is not forbidden by any written rule, it is only considered proper to save one or two seats for fellow travelers. Excessive seat-saving can lead to conflicts with other passengers.