Southwest Airlines Seat Selection Policy
Is it daunting to get your preferred seats while booking Southwest Airlines flights? If yes, you must know that the airline is currently offering an open seating policy, but it is launching the new cancellation policy soon. To find out how Southwest Airlines assigns seats to its customers, check out the post below.
As per research, Southwest has an open seating policy which means that customers are allowed to pick any of the available seats when boarding the flights. The airline would not assign specific seats to any traveler as of now. Travelers will get assigned to the boarding groups and positions by the airline at the time of check-in. Read the entire post to find further details.
Can You Get Desired Seats on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines offers an open seating policy, which lets in passengers to select any of the available seats on the time of boarding the flight. The airline will only assign a boarding group to their passengers at some stage in check-in according to the Southwest seat selection policy. At the time of boarding, passengers are free to choose one of the vacant seats. However, the airline is now planning to assign seats soon, perhaps in the first half of 2026.
How Does the Southwest Airlines Seat Selection Work?
Are you also inquisitive about finding out how the open-seating works on Southwest? For this, you should know about how the airline assigns groups. If you don’t want to miss a chance to sit together with your family or your favorite seat on the board, the given information could be helpful for you.
- Southwest will assign you to a group A, B, and C with a boarding position of 1 to 60 when you board the plane.
- Ensure that you will only get seats according to the boarding groups assigned to you at the time of boarding the plane
- The seat selection process at Southwest starts once you board the plane. You are free to choose any of the vacant seats available at that time, according to the Southwest Airlines seat selection policy.
- It would be the best choice if you reach the airport at least 2 hours before departure to sit on your preferred seats.
Eventually, the seating selection is based on the boarding groups that have been assigned to you. So it would be best if you get familiar with how Southwest assigns groups to their customers. Below, you may find the same information.
How does Southwest Airlines Boarding Groups work?
The first thing you ought to know is that Southwest Airlines assign boarding groups based on a few factors consisting of the flight status, check-in time, and so forth. If you have not yet flown with Southwest earlier than, you may get stressed at some stage during check-in for your flight. Get through the following information to find the complete details.
- When you check in for the Southwest flight, the airline will assign a boarding group (A, B, and C) with a position from 1 to 60.
- The earlier you check in, the chance of getting better boarding positions will grow. So, it might be virtually useful if you check-in on your Southwest flights as quickly as possible.
- Southwest Airlines opens check-in one before the flight’s departure. So it will be beneficial to check in for the flight as early as possible.
- Checking in one day before your flight usually places you in the B boarding group, which is usually enough to get a window or aisle seat, or two seats together if you are flying with a companion.
- The gate agent will call the first group to get in position when boarding the plane.
- Then, the agent will call the pre-boarding group members with positions A 1-15. And then, they will call positions A 15-30, then A 31-60.
- After that, the Southwest agents will call the B group to board the plane. When your number and boarding group are announced, you need to go to the agent and scan your boarding pass to board the flight.
Now, we suggest you continue reading the information below to know more about the Southwest Airlines boarding positions.
How Are Southwest Airlines Boarding Positions Assigned?
Are you also thinking about how Southwest Airlines assigns boarding positions to travelers when they board the flights? If yes, you should look into the information to find the answer to the same query.
- Pre-Board: Southwest reserves this position for travelers with disabilities.
- A1 – 15: The airline reserves this position for travelers who purchased Business class tickets. In case, all the business class tickets are not sold, passengers will get a chance to upgrade their seats to A1-15.
- A16 – 30: This position is for the ones who have purchased EarlyBird check-in. Ensure that there is no assurance of getting this boarding position even if you bought Early-Bird or A-list preferences.
- B 1-60: You can also get this position when you have purchased the Early-Bird check-in. We assure you that Southwest will assign you somewhere in group B if you have checked in on the same day it opens.
- C 1-60: Southwest will assign this position to travelers who have not checked in on time for their Southwest Airlines flight. Here, the chances of not getting your desired seats are higher. This is why it is recommended to check in on time, especially when you have booked flights with Southwest Airlines.
- Active Duty Military/Family Boarding/Passengers require Extra Time: If you are one of these, Southwest will allow you to board the flight after A group. All you need to do is to stay in the line and the travel agent will announce you and your family to board the plane.
Expectantly, you have an idea about how Southwest assigns its group and its boarding positions to travelers. If you are still looking for a few suggestions. Getting the desired seats on the same airline, get into the information below.
How Do You Find Open Seats on Southwest Airlines?
As you already know, getting the desired seats will only be based on the boarding groups assigned by Southwest Airlines. You should consider reaching the airport on time to get the seats as per your choice. Along with this, you may check the suggestions below on finding open seats when boarding Southwest Airlines.
- You will see a lot of passengers with their luggage on the seat. You are technically allowed to ask them to sit on those seats and can also get a travel companion throughout the flight.
- If you prefer sitting in the exit row, simply ask a flight attendant to get that one. Since the flight attendants usually stand near the exit row seats. They will always be glad to offer you the same seats.
- Never pass up the empty seats in the front row of the plane as these seats are not reserved for anyone on Southwest Airlines. So be clever and grab that seat to enjoy your journey.
One of these suggestions will surely help you to get the preferred seats even if Southwest has an open seating policy. For additional help, talk to a travel representative at Southwest Airlines by dialing its customer service number anytime.
How Can You Get a Better Boarding Position on Southwest Airlines?
As we have discussed, the better your boarding position is, the better seats you can choose when boarding the Southwest plane. That is why, we are here to let you know about how one can get a better boarding position on Southwest Airlines.
To secure a better Southwest boarding position, you need to purchase:
- Early-bird check-in
- Southwest airlines elite status
- A credit card that comes with the upgraded boarding position
- An upgrading boarding position
What is the Future Seating Policy of Southwest Airlines?
Research indicates that Southwest is now ready to launch its new seating policy most probably this year or in the first half of 2026. If you want to know what could be the new seat selection policy of Southwest, take a glance at the details below.
- Southwest Airlines lets A-List members choose standard legroom or any available seats without paying any fees.
- You will get your preferred or desired seats on Southwest airlines by paying a fee.
- Customers who have bought the cheapest tickets will get a seat a day before the flight’s departure.
- The airline will also allow travelers to get premium seats by paying a fee.
- Also, Southwest Rapid Rewards travelers will be able to choose their preferred seats without paying additional charges.
To Summarize!
Is there anything left to find regarding Southwest Airlines seat selection? If yes, you should directly make a phone call to the airline’s agents. The best way to do so is to dial the Southwest Airlines customer service number and hire one of the travel professionals for instant assistance.