Now that you have booked seats for Southwest Airlines, you should be aware of the boarding groups that will be allotted to you at the airport. This is so that you know what to expect beforehand and there are no hassles afterwards.
The article will cover in detail how Southwest boarding works, the number of groups in Southwest, Southwest group numbers, and other important info.
How Many Boarding Groups Does Southwest Have?
Southwest Airlines allows three boarding groups to passengers: A, B, and C, along with the position number (1 to 60+) at the time of check-in. You will find numbered posts on the gates that will indicate where to line up.
Types of Southwest Boarding Groups
All the types of groups are explained according to the Southwest boarding order as follows.
Pre-boarding (PRBD)
This is a special boarding group for passengers who require special assistance with wheelchairs, disabilities, or any other type of help with boarding. To avail of the same, the traveler who needs assistance and a companion can approach the gate before boarding, where airport staff will further your request.
Do note that on the flight, only two passengers in the PRBD group can occupy emergency exit rows, and the rest have to occupy their usual seats.
Group A
These are for the passengers who have opted for upgraded boarding positions (A1 to A15). They will board first, followed by EarlyBird Check-in Passengers. Also, if you are lucky with the check-in timings, you may even be provided with the Group A boarding group.
There are allowances for some other groups (exceptional cases) that are supposed to come between Group A & Group B. You should be aware of this in case you fall under it during your Southwest Journey.
Extra Time Passengers, Family, & Active Duty Military
This is for passengers who may not qualify for pre-boarding but require additional time to board, maybe due to an injury. Southwest Airlines staff, in that case, will provide you with a special boarding pass, which you can board right after Group A. Next, if there are families with children who are under six years of age and active duty military members (having ID), they can board here without speaking to staff beforehand.
Group B
If you check in on time and haven’t paid any extra, you are most likely to find yourself in group B. You will have to queue with other passengers adjacent to the numbered boards and wait to board. Make sure you follow all the signs in the correct order to avoid any issues later at the gate.
Group C
This is allotted to passengers who haven’t checked in on time or booked on the same date. You are then given Group C and will board the plane last. You will most likely be getting a middle seat in the back or maybe an aisle. If fewer people reserve seats, you will have a better chance of getting a decent seat.
Can You Upgrade Your Southwest Boarding Positions?
Yes, you can. Not many people are aware, but on Southwest Airlines, you have the option to purchase an “upgraded boarding position” at the ticket counter or at the departure gate on the journey date or within 24 hours before departure. You also have the option to purchase Early-bird check-in, which may not give you a boarding A position, but it will definitely enable you to board sooner than other general passengers.
How to Get the Best Seats On Southwest
The best way to get advanced confirmed seats is to get a Business Select fare or purchase an early boarding option on Southwest. Also, if you are a Southwest Rapid Rewards elite member, you get preferential boarding by default. Also, take note some co-brand cards will offer credit if you purchase upgraded boarding. So, it’s a win-win.
However, if you don’t want to pay more, the best chance to get a good seat is if you do an early check-in. Southwest opens the check-in 24 hours before the journey date, so if you do it at the easiest, you have a better chance of getting a window seat & having a comfortable journey.
Conclusion
Thus, you are now aware that the four main boarding groups (A, B, & C), along with the Pre-boarding (PBRD) group, are generally allotted such groups. So, now you know what to expect. Also, as stated, you always have the option to purchase an upgraded boarding to get better boarding status & seats on Southwest.
Thus, a comfortable & affordable journey right from the boarding to the trip experience awaits you now!
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