Granite2sell

I am going to be traveling from Omaha to Phoenix with a layover in St. Louis. I understand how their boarding policy works, however one thing that is not clear to me is the layover boarding policy. I plan on checking in 24 hours before my first flight, what is the policy for the layover? Do I keep my boarding number for the layover (I.e. A29, will I keep this for the connecting flight). If not how can I make sure that I am not stuck boarding last for the connecting flight. Can I check in 24 hours before the connecting flight just how I did for the originating flight to assure I get a good boarding pass. Any insight would be extremely helpful. Thank you in advance

tracys2cents

If you have a change of planes, when you check in 24 hours before your flight they will give you two boarding passes with different numbers on each. Depending on how full the flights are, etc, you could be A29 on the first flight and B 29 on the second.

fmpden

If you do not change planes, then you stay on the plane and in your original seat till the flight crews checks the numbers. And then you can change seats at will till the boarding starts for the next leg.

DebitNM

As said above, you will get both boarding passes at once, so no worry about having to check in 24 hours before the second flight. And as said above, you can change you seat if you are staying on same plane for the second leg of flight. NOTE: You will most likely NOT be able to deplane and then get back on the planes if you stay on the same plane and they have very short turn around time.

spirobulldog

Everyone is always a little puzzled by SW boarding/ticketing procedures. Not because it is a bad thing, but because they do it differently than everyone else. You'll see that it really is no big deal after you do it one time.

If sitting where you want to sit is a huge deal then spend the extra $10 and you can get in the A group and sit pretty much where you want to. Even in the C group I seldom have problems. If you are traveling with someone and can't find seats together--just ask, 90% of the time someone will move so that you can sit together.

But yes, just get on exactly 24hours in advance and you will most likely be in the A group on both segments of you flight. You will not have the same number/letter unless it just happens to work out that way(statistically would be like 1 in 200 or something like that).

annesherrod

I agree with Spirobulldog about spending the extra $10 - this way you guaranteed a A seat.

Enjoy your trip!!

DebitNM

Food for thought: I have had a few B assigned number for various reasons or high A and truthfully, in some ways its better. I can see who is already seated and choose whom I want [or don't want] to sit next to. Still can usually get aisle or window too. If you go in low A, you have no control of who sits next to you.

spirobulldog

It really doesn't matter to us where we sit. If all I have is a carry on, I do like to sit near the front of the plane, so I can be the first one off. If I have a checked luggage, it doesn't matter, since you will have to wait anyway.

If you are assigned a C group-then chances of you sitting in a middle seat(you probably won't have an aisle or window seat)greatly increases. Also, if you are traveling 2 or 3 people together then you stand a lot less likely chance of sitting together. I have never had a problem when checking in exactly 24 hours in advance. Even arriving at the airport I have been given A or B groups many times. Do realize that people with disabilities or young children can board first.

DebitNM

Do realize that people with disabilities or young children can board first.

Actually that is not exactly true. Only disabled or unaccompanied minors board first - IF they have children and have A boarding passes they board with A's. IF they have B or C, they board BETWEEN A's and B's.

spirobulldog

I will agree with Debit that those are the rules. However, it always seems to me that there are parent with small children seated in the front/bulkhead area. So, I don't know if ask or how that happens.

http://www.southwest.com/html/genera...chool_faq.html


For some reason I have never liked this little section on the SW website
http://www.southwest.com/html/custom...arding-school/

jubilada

People with young kids can board in A group by paying the same $10 as anyone else . If they do not do so, or do so and end up in B anyway, they board between A and B.