Southwest Seat Selection

Southwest Seat Selection Policy

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Southwest Seat Selection Policy: There are no assigned seats on Southwest-operated aircraft, which embraces the open-seating concept. You are free to select any available seat after you get on the plane of your choosing. Place your carry-on luggage after choosing your seat, either in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

Let’s now get into the specifics of how the Southwest seat selection procedure operates.

Southwest Seat Selection Policy: How To Reserve Seat in Advance

Reserving your ideal seat on Southwest Airlines is as easy as ordering in-flight peanuts. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  • Log in to Your Account: Before takeoff, make sure you’ve created an account on the Southwest Airlines website.
  • Booking Your Flight: While booking your flight, you’ll come across the option to select a seat. Click on it.
  • Choose Your Seat: Southwest Airlines offers open seating, meaning you don’t get a specific seat number. Instead, you pick your spot when you board the plane.
  • EarlyBird Check-In: If you want to secure your seat ahead of time, you can purchase the EarlyBird Check-In option, which automatically checks you in 36 hours before your flight.

The Art of Boarding

Southwest Airlines uses a unique boarding process. Passengers are divided into three groups: A, B, and C.

  • Group A: This group gets to board first, giving them the pick of the litter when it comes to seats.
  • Group B: They board after Group A but still have a good shot at scoring preferred seating.
  • Group C: Unfortunately, they board last, and the pickings are slimmer.

How Much does it Cost to Select a Seat on Southwest Airlines?

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of seat selection costs with Southwest Airlines:

  • Standard Seat: Selecting a standard seat is generally free, but you’ll still need to pay for your flight ticket, of course.
  • EarlyBird Check-In: This service costs $15-$25 per person, per flight segment. It automatically checks you in and gives you a better boarding position.
  • Upgraded Boarding: For $30-$50 per person, per flight segment, you can secure an A1-A15 boarding position if available at the gate.
  • Business Select: If you book a Business Select fare, which is more expensive, it includes priority boarding and guarantees a spot at the front of the plane.

What are the Guidelines to Get Preferred Seat in Southwest Airlines?

To increase your chances of getting your preferred seat, follow these guidelines:

Pay For Better Boarding Order

  • Purchase the EarlyBird Check-In service or Upgraded Boarding to secure a better boarding position.

Check in Exactly 24 hours Ahead

  • Don’t forget to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight. Set an alarm if you have to; it can make all the difference.

Select Your Seat Wisely

  • If you’re traveling with companions, make sure to coordinate your seat selections to sit together.

What is the Southwest Business Select Seat Policy?

If you’re looking for the lap of luxury, Southwest Airlines’ Business Select might be your ticket. Here’s a glimpse of what it entails:

  • Priority Boarding: You get to board the plane before anyone else, ensuring you have your pick of the seats.
  • Guaranteed A1-A15 Boarding: Business Select fares guarantee you a spot in the highly coveted A1-A15 boarding group.
  • Earn More Rapid Rewards: You’ll also earn more Rapid Rewards points, which can be redeemed for future flights.

Can You Select Seat on Southwest Wanna Get Away?

When booking a Wanna Get Away fare, you won’t have the luxury of selecting a seat in advance. However, you can still snag a decent seat by following these tips:

  • Early Check-In: Check in exactly 24 hours before your flight to secure a better boarding position.
  • Arrive Early: Arriving at the gate early gives you a better chance of finding available seats together.
  • Ask the Gate Agent: If you have specific seating needs, approach the gate agent politely. They might be able to assist you.

What are the seating options available with Southwest Airlines?

1) Business Select

    • Premium seats with special advantages.
    • Priority boarding to ensure a smooth journey.
    • Additional legroom to improve comfort during the flight.
    • Onboard premium refreshments and snacks are complimentary.
    • To receive rewards more quickly, add more Rapid Rewards points.
    • Flexibility to switch flights without being charged.

Anytime

    • An adaptable seating choice that allows free flight changes.
    • Priority boarding to facilitate quicker boarding.
    • On the plane, passengers can select the seat they desire.
    • There is more flexibility in choosing a seat even though there is no additional space.

Wanna Get Away

    • The cheapest seating choice is offered by Southwest.
    • Provides fewer amenities in exchange for a lower cost.
    • Seat assignments are made during the Southwest airline check-in process.
    • You are permitted to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item.
    • There are no extra benefits like priority boarding or cost-free flight changes.

You can select the seat for your Southwest trip that best meets your needs and preferences by being aware of your possibilities.

What is the seating map with Southwest Airlines?

Southwest Aircraft Models

  • Boeing 737 aircraft are the only ones flown by Southwest Airlines.
  • The three 737 variants they now fly are the Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, and Boeing 737 MAX 8.
  • The Boeing 737 MAX 7 will be released in the future, taking part in the 737-700 planes’ place.

1) Boeing 737-700

    • 60% of Southwest Airlines’ fleet is made up of Boeing 737-700 aircraft.
    • There are 143 places for passengers.
    • Each seat measures 17 inches in width and 31 inches in height.

2) Boeing 737-800

    • The Boeing 737-800, which is a little bigger, can accommodate 175 passengers.
    • The breadth of each seat is 17 inches, and the pitch is 32 to 33 inches.

3) Boeing 737 MAX 8

  • Southwest’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft is the newest type to their fleet.
  • Each aircraft features 175 seats, each of which measures a comfortable 17.8 inches wide and has a pitch between 32 and 33 inches.

Southwest Airlines relies on the Boeing 737 series, which provides a variety of capacities and capabilities to meet varying passenger needs to ensure a standardised flying experience across their fleet.

How can I select the best seats on board Southwest Airlines?

The valuable information in this guide was compiled from several trips with Southwest Airlines. It is crucial to remember that due to Southwest’s open seating policy, a specific seat is never guaranteed, even if you acquire an A1 boarding slot, which offers priority boarding. With the open-seating system, all passengers can choose their seats when they board, resulting in a lively and adaptable seating arrangement. Southwest embraces this strategy and strives to offer a distinctive and varied seating experience for each journey. Therefore, even while priority boarding boosts your chances of getting your favorite seat, it’s still crucial to be flexible and open to the wonderful opportunities presented by the open-seating strategy.

Travelling with Small Children
  • If you want a better chance of obtaining neighbouring seats, choose a seat towards the back of the plane.
  • If you are travelling with children who are less than six, take advantage of family boarding.
  • For passengers employing Southwest’s unaccompanied minor policy, seating in the bottom rows provides proximity to restrooms and flight attendants, which can be helpful.
Seeking More Legroom
  • Subject to fulfilling certain conditions (such as being at least 15 years old and in good physical condition), take into consideration choosing seats on the exit row for additional legroom.
  • Alternately, select seats in the front few rows of the plane, which generally have more room for legs than the back of the aircraft. There is a more expensive boarding option for seats with more legroom.
Travelling with a Large Group
  • Choose to sit next to each other in a row or across the aisle for groups of two to three people.
  • Consider seating in two neighboring rows for groups of four to five.
  • Rows near the back of the plane that are set up in groups of three may be ideal for seating parties of 6-7.
  • In order to obtain seats together, groups of 8 or more should think about using EarlyBird Check-In or boarding together. They should also investigate bulkhead rows or seat upgrades for additional choices.
Quick Connection
  • For a quick exit from the plane without having to wait for passengers, select an aisle seat.
  • To reduce the amount of walking required to exit the aircraft, choose a seat up front.
  • The overwing exit row seats are spacious and frequently located near the front for a speedier exit.
  • Priority boarding with EarlyBird Check-In allows quicker departure and more excellent seat selection.
Need Empty Seats Next to You
  • Plan your travel for off-peak hours to enhance your chances of finding nearby unoccupied seats.
  • Choose a seat near the center or back of the plane, where there may be more room.
  • Arrive early to get a more excellent selection of seats.
Want to Recline
  • Due to Southwest’s seating regulations, several rows may only recline partially or not at all:
  • Rows 10, 11, and 24 of the Boeing 737-700
  • Rows 13, 14, 15, and 30 of the Boeing 737-800
  • Rows 13, 14, 15, and 30 of the Boeing 737 MAX 8

By following these recommendations, travellers can confidently choose their seats on Southwest Airlines flights.

What are the passenger seat dimensions (width/pitch, etc.) on Southwest aircraft?

The essential seat details for each Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 type are listed below. The details include the number of passengers, average pitch, and seat width—all essential elements for a comfortable flight. The planes operated by Southwest Airlines have just one aisle and one cabin, with three seats on each side. Notably, bulkhead seating is located in the first row on both sides.

AircraftWidest Seat WidthAverage Seat PitchMovable Aisle ArmrestsPassenger CapacityLavatoriesNarrowest Seat Width
Boeing 737-70017.0”31”All rows143One forward and one rear15.5”
Boeing 737-800 Boeing 737-MAX 817.8”32”All rows except bulkhead (front)175One forward and two rear15.5”

Southwest Airlines follows the guidelines given by the aircraft manufacturer when calculating seat pitch, which is the distance between any location on one seat and the same place on the seat next to it. In order to assess and improve the seating arrangement for passenger comfort and convenience, this parameter is crucial.

How to select the seats on Southwest Airlines?

Due to Southwest Airlines’ open seating policy, you won’t be able to choose a particular seat when purchasing a ticket, in contrast to standard allocated seating. Instead, you will be given a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a corresponding boarding position (1-60) during the check-in procedure for your trip.

The steps involved in a Southwest seat assignment are as follows:

  • Passengers queue up at the gate according to their assigned boarding group (A, B, or C) and boarding position (1–60).
  • Positions 1 through 60 are boarded consecutively, starting with the A group at position 1. AFTER ALL OF THE A POSITIONS HAVE BOARDED, the B group follows suit, and finally, the C group follows suit.
  • Once on board, you are free to select any open seat of your choosing. You are free to choose any open seat that meets your tastes because there are no assigned seats.

It is advised to check in as early as possible to increase your chances of getting a great seat. Up to 24 hours prior to the time of your flight’s planned departure, Southwest Airlines allows online check-in. You can increase your chances of getting a seat that best meets your needs and preferences by arriving early and getting a superior boarding position. Southwest Airlines ensures a flexible and dynamic seating experience for all passengers by embracing the open seating concept.

Is there a fee to request seat selection with Southwest Airlines?

Southwest Airlines often offers free seat selection, allowing customers to select their preferred seats at the time of booking or while checking in, which usually begins 24 hours before the scheduled departure.

Contact Southwest Via social media

You can follow these procedures to get in touch with Southwest Airlines on social media:

  • Tweet at @SouthwestAir, Southwest Airlines’ official Twitter handle. Alternatively, if you are both following each other, you can send a direct message (DM).
  • Visit the official Southwest Airlines Facebook page to contact them. You are also welcome to write on their page, and they typically reply to messages and comments within a day.
  • Direct message @southwestair, the official account of Southwest Airlines. They usually reply within a few hours.

When contacting Southwest Airlines via social media, don’t forget to provide your confirmation number or any other pertinent flight or reservation information to guarantee a quick and effective response. Giving them this information will enable them to help you right away.

Southwest Airlines works to keep social media platforms available for communication, making it simple for customers to get in touch with them for support, information, or assistance. Southwest is accessible to answer your inquiries through its social media channels, whether related to seat selection or any other part of your trip.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Southwest Airlines stands out in the airline business as a trailblazer by providing a distinct and user-friendly method of seat selection. Passengers have the opportunity to select their seats at no additional cost during the booking or check-in process, according to Southwest seat selection policy. Additionally, the choice to upgrade to priority boarding for a small fee improves the boarding experience and encourages a speedy and easy procedure.

This open-seating arrangement guarantees that families and parties can sit together without paying more, in addition to making travelling alone hassle-free. Southwest Airlines fosters a welcoming environment for all passengers by catering to a range of tastes and needs. Look no further than Flighttripfinder.com for seamless planning support. As a trustworthy travel companion, Flighttripfinder.com provides helpful information and assistance so that customers may plan their trips wisely and have a pleasant experience.

Accept the ease and flexibility of Southwest Airlines seat-choice policy, and set out on your next trip with assurance, knowing that convenience and choice will be at the center of your travel experience. Let your travel goals soar when you fly with Southwest Airlines!

FAQs-

Q1: What is Southwest Seat Selection Policy?

Southwest Seat Selection Policy allows passengers to choose their seats during the booking process or at the time of check-in, based on availability.

Q2: Can I select my seat in advance on Southwest Airlines?

Yes, you can select your seat in advance on Southwest Airlines either during the booking process or later through online check-in.

Q3: Is there a fee for selecting a seat on Southwest?

Southwest Airlines offers free seat selection. There is no additional fee for choosing your seat.

Q4: What happens if I don’t select a seat on Southwest?

If you don’t select a seat on Southwest, you will be assigned a seat at the time of check-in. The seat assignment will be based on availability.

Q5: Can I change my seat selection after booking?

Yes, you can change your seat selection after booking by logging into your Southwest Airlines account and modifying your reservation. However, changes are subject to seat availability.

Related Article: Delta Airlines Seat Selection Policy | JetBlue Seat Selection Policy | Lufthansa Seat Selection Policy .

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