Want the best seat for a comfortable journey? Check-in as an early bird and choose your best seat for yourself on Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines allows its customers to choose their desired seat anywhere in the flight only if they have checked-in early to secure the best seat. Certainly, Southwest exhibits a unique cheek-in and seat selection process compared to other airlines. To know more about the eccentric check-in process, read this Southwest Airlines Check-in guide. Now, you can secure the best seat by the window or by the aisle or at the exit in flight without any extra cost.
Southwest Airlines is known as U.S largest low-cost airline having headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Currently Southwest airline is operating on 121 destinations within the United States, and offers 11 additional countries. Southwest Airlines is currently known as the third largest airline in North America in terms of passengers carried. Southwest has carried more domestic passengers than any other airline in the United states. Southwest serves as a one-of-a-kind airline which has a rolling hub and point-to-point network.
The airline ensures to provide customers the flexibility to check-in as per their convenience. That’s why Southwest Airline Check-in is a helpful guide for every customer who seeks to know the nitty gritties of check-in policy.
What is Southwest Airlines Check-in Policy?
Southwest Airlines adhere to its no assigned seat policy that means every passenger can choose their seats upon boarding the plane. Boarding order is given during the time of check-in where you acquire your boarding pass. Your boarding pass encapsulates a boarding group (A,B,C along with numbers 1-60). In Southwest Airlines terminology, it is known as Southwest Boarding pass check-in from which you will board the flight. The earlier you check-in, the earlier you will board the flight to secure your desired seat.
- Southwest Airlines check-in begins 24 hours before the scheduled departure and closes 20 minutes before the departure.
- The airline does not allow customers to use electronic boarding pass as the right to restriction Boarding pass distribution is reserved by the airlines.
- For international flights, the check-in closes 60 minutes before the departure, usually it’s prescribed to reach the airport 2 hours prior to boarding.
How to Check-in for Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines facilitates the customers with flexible check-in options available at their fingertips.
- Customers who opt for the early bird check-in option have the privilege of southwest early check-in automatically.
- Customers who classify as general booking can simply check-in through the online check-in option available on Southwest official website.
- Customers can also use the Self-help Kiosko, ticketing counter or curbside check-in available at the airport for Southwest airlines flight check in.
What is Early Bird Check-in on Southwest Airlines?
Early Bird Check-in is an automatic service which checks you in as soon the check-in starts. This allows you to get assigned to a boarding group and board earlier before anyone else. However, the early bird service cost around $15 per segment. Early bird customers can get boarding group A which ultimately means they can board the flight right after business class.
Business Class passengers are exempted from the early bird option as their business class ticket already includes priority boarding.
What is the Boarding procedure in Southwest Airlines?
Southwest has a unique boarding procedure which allows customers to have better seats in the flights. Southwest Airlines early check-in allows selective customers to board on priority basis. The boarding begins 45 minutes before departure with A1- A15 which includes business class passengers. Customers can check their boarding group mentioned on their boarding pass. Usually, there are 15 business class seats available in flight incase if there are less than 15 business class passengers, then those remaining seats are offered for sale as well. Southwest has a boarding order to avoid any nuance at the scene.
- Business Select Passengers
- Upgraded Boarding Passenger
- Rapid Rewards A-list preferred members
- Rapid Reward A-list members
- Early Bird Check-in customers (A group)
- Passenger with disabilities
- Family Boarding
- Group B
- Group C
What is Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy?
- Southwest check-in baggage policy allows every customer to have one free personal item and one free carry-on baggage.
- Southwest also allows customers to carry 2 checked in bags free of cost.
- Customers who wish to carry check-in baggage beyond 2 bags will have to pay additional Southwest check-in baggage charges.
- In case of excessive weight or oversize baggage, customers are reliable to pay additional charges per bag.
- The overall length of the baggage should be 62 inches and should weigh up to 50 pounds.
- The personal item are only allowed
Bottom Line
Southwest Airlines as a low-cost airline does not offer seat selection upon Southwest Airlines Check-in. The Airlines boarding begins 24 hours before scheduled departure. Passengers who want to secure the best seats can buy the early bird tickets or business select tickets to get the privilege of priority boarding. Customers who can secure the best seat in flight should check-in as soon as the check-in starts to get the group A boarding for priority access. Thus, read this manual to know about Check-in policy and procedures in Southwest Airlines in detail to enjoy a safe and convenient journey onboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check-in with Southwest Airlines?
You can check-in for your Southwest Flight through online check-in on the website, you can also use Southwest mobile app to check-in. Customers can also check-in through an offline medium at the airport curbside check-in, self-help kiosk or at the ticket counter.
What is the time to check-in for Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines check-in begins 24 hours before the scheduled departure and closes 20 minutes before the departure. Customers who want good seats should check-in as soon as the check-in starts.
Is Check-in free with Southwest?
Southwest allows you to carry one personal item and one carry-on baggage free of cost. Also, you can carry two checked-in baggage without any additional cost.
What happens if I don’t check-in for Southwest Airlines?
If you don’t check-in, you will miss the chance of getting a boarding pass and will likely have the remaining left out seats on board.
What is A, B and C in Southwest Airlines?
Southwest has a unique boarding procedure which allows customers to have better seats in the flights. After confirming booking, your boarding pass will encapsulate a boarding group (A,B,C along with numbers 1-60). In Southwest Airlines terminology, it is known as Southwest Boarding pass check-in from which you will board the flight. The earlier you check-in, the earlier you will board the flight to secure your desired seat.
Can I check bags through online web check-in on Southwest Airlines?
No. Southwest does not allow passengers to check their baggage through web check-in.
Can I select or change seats through online check-in on Southwest Airlines?
No, there is no seat selection in Southwest Airlines. Customers can choose their seats upon boarding.
Does Southwest Airlines offer first class tickets?
No, Southwest does not offer First Class seats; instead as an alternative they have Business Select.
Difference between Wanna Get Away and Business Select of Southwest Airlines?
Wanna Get Away is the lowest fare class in Southwest Airlines. While Southwest Business Select is First class. Southwest First Class has many perks unlike Wanna Get Away. Perks like priority boarding, security and check-in lanes, Twice as much rapid reward points than Wanna Get Away, along with complimentary drinks.
What is the baggage allowance in Southwest Airlines?
Southwest allows every customer to have one free personal item and one free carry-on baggage. Southwest also allows customers to carry 2 checked in bags free of cost.