teacherD

Another couple and we purchased a vacation package from South West based on being able to get a direct flight to Vegas. None of us has used South West since they instituted their new ABC boarding policy. Can anyone give us first hand experience with this system? We're picturing a real disaster once on board.
On their website it said we could check in online IF THE RESERVATION ALLOWS IT. What does that mean? How can we check if we can do this?

artsbabe

You can check in online 24 hours before your flight leaves, and I recommend you do so. You are then given a group (A, B or C) and a number. And, of course, you print out your boarding pass. When you are at the gate area and the plane is ready to board, they take the A group first, and you line up more-or-less in numeric order within your group. Then, when you enter the plane, you take any seat. I generally head toward the back. It works really, really well, and is quite organized. Southwest is by far my airline of choice.

maryanntex

Re: IF THE RESERVATION ALLOWS IT. When you are flying with a group (e.g. someone has booked the tickets for everyone in the group), you can't check in on line. You have to do it at the airport.

I have been in this situation a couple of times. If you get to the airport early, you will probably be able at least to get in the B group, which is fine. I would call Southwest in advance to see whether or not your reservations allow you tocheck in on line.

tmagyari

I would certainly try the 24-hour check in on-line. I generally buy tickets for my whole family and have always been able to check in on line. However, for best seating, do it as soon as the 24 hour mark hits, as many others are doing the same.

And I will offer another unsolicited testimonial for Southwest--ever since I first flew with them about 5 years ago, they've gotten ALL of my business since. They are by far and away the most "user-friendly" of all airlines. Several times I've called them at the last minute to change or cancel a flight, and each time, with no penalty I was able to reschedule. If you have a computer, you can do this yourself. And if you cancel outright and get a credit, you can give it to anyone you want--I'm flying my parents up to see me in a few days on a credit from a canceled trip earlier this year. Try doing that with any other airline!

crefloors

Don't know if this is system wide, but in Reno they don't have the A,B,C anymore, it's numbers and there are poles set up with the number group marked on the poles, like 1 through 30, 30 through 60 etc..or maybe they've gone back to the old way again. I haven't flown since last year. If it's the numbers or letters, the number or letter will be on your boarding pass.

maryanntex

tmagyari, the "group" I was referring to was an organized travel group tour (not that your family isn't organized!)--a group of unrelated people flying together. We could not check in on line, even though the tickets had been issued in the indivduals' names. The OP should probably call SWA to check for sure.

crefloors, I think it's numbers AND letters (1-30 = A, etc.)

Marginal

It's A, B, C with numbers, like A-1, A-2, A-3, etc. So you know where to line up.

I love the 24 hour advance checkin. You get a printed boarding pass with your place in line: ex- A-10, B-3. So much more organized.

DebitNM

The system works VERY well. Southwest is also our airline of choice.

I would aim to checking in as close to that 24 hour before departure time to get the passes. The passes for A1 to 15 are set aside for "Business Select" passengers so the first pass available is usually A16.

The four of you won't get to sit next to each other as the seat configuration is almost always 3 and 3; you should be able to sit in adjoining rows though. And if not, you have the rest of the trip together, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

You do not have to print you passes out when you check in. You can go to kiosk in airport and get a pass there, you will be going to kiosk anyway for baggage check in [if checking in]. This is particularly helpful for your return flight. You can check same way from hotel, and print passes at airport.

Hope this helps, more about this on the airline forum
http://www.fodors.com/community/air-travel/ type in southwest in search box

Deb

siena1

We've taken Southwest several times and (knock on wood) have always had good experiences with them. I like being able to sit where I want.

Last time we flew SW, we were with family (7 of us), and we all managed to sit within a few rows of each other.

Just curious: what kind of chaotic situation are you picturing once you board? Worst case scenario is that you and your signifcant other won't get to sit together. Just bring a book to read! You'll see each other plenty once you get to Vegas!

azzure

I used to hate Southwest's cattle car approach to boarding, but the new system works really well. I try to print my boarding pass just at the 24 hour out mark if I can...I am almost always in the "A" group, and often get the bulkhead aisle seat! Love it.

teacherD

Sounds like it may not be bad after all. My concern was not knowing if we could check in 24 hrs. ahead and apparently that's no problem since I bought the tickets myself.

Andrew

Another vote for Southwest. Next week I'm disappointed that I have to fly USAir, because Southwest does not take pets, and I'm escorting a cat to a new home. The seat pitch in USAir coach is 1-2 inches smaller than on Southwest (less legroom on USAir), and of course bags aren't free to check, snacks on board cost money, etc. First time I've flown anyone other than Southwest in almost two years.

But do call Southwest and ask about being able to check in with your group online vs. at the airport.

OO

There is nothing not to love about Southwest. We fly them whenever possible. The numbered check-in has even done away with people lining up in the A, B, and C areas ages before the flight. They won't charge you for checked baggage. If you have to cancel, no penalty, and what you spent is available to be spent on a flight later. FAs are friendly and sometimes go so far as to be fun. We used to be an "all American family". No more!