How Many Boarding Groups Does Southwest Have And How To Move Up (2024)

Southwest Airlines is best known for its unrestricted seating policies, which allow passengers to occupy pretty much any seat they like upon boarding. Based on the boarding group, passengers are free to select any seat, including emergency exit rows and bulkhead. As such, the boarding group becomes critical in terms of where passengers can actually sit.This article explores the number of boarding groups Southwest Airlines offers and how the airline manages boarding procedures within tight turnaround times, as highlighted by Southwest Airlines.

Three groups

• A unique group and position combination (for example, A35) will be displayed on the boarding pass, representing a reserved spot in the boarding group at the gate.
• Numbered posts in each of our gate areas indicate where to line up.
• When the boarding group is called, the passenger must find the designated place in line and board the aircraft in numerical order.

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Southwest has three boarding groups, A, B, and C, and each group has 60' positions.' Upon checking in, you'll be assigned one of these 180 positions, determining when you can board and choose your seat. In addition to these three, the carrier also offers preboarding and family/military/extra boarding groups.

One's boarding position is determined on a first-come-first-serve basis, with check-in opening precisely 24 hours before departure. However, there are a few ways to 'jump the queue.' The first is with Upgraded Boarding, available to elite Rapid Rewards members and Business Select fare customers, which guarantees an A1 to A15 boarding position, ensuring you get a comfortable place on the flight. If there are any remaining positions, Upgraded Boarding can also be purchased online or at the gate (watch out for a sign) starting at $30 per flight.

Photo: Pranjal Pande | Simple Flying

Another way to confirm your place is to use EarlyBird Check-In, which automatically checks you in before the 24-hour mark and must be purchased 36 hours before flying. While this doesn't guarantee a position, you'll usually end up somewhere in the back of the A15-60 pack or right at the front of the B group, depending on how many elite members are flying and when you purchase the service. Starting at only $15, this is usually a good solution for longer flights.

Boarding order

Preboarding:

To be eligible for preboarding, the traveler and one companion can approach the gate before boarding starts, where a staff member will determine if they are allowed. The requirements include those with an assistive device that needs to be stowed, like a wheelchair, those with disabilities, and anyone needing assistance boarding. Only two passengers will get the PRBD group; other companions must continue as usual and cannot occupy emergency exit rows.

Group A:

As some might be familiar, passengers queue alongside numbered signs with positions from 0 to 60, in increments of five, in two rows. Upgraded Boarding passengers (A1-A15) board first, followed by EarlyBird Check-In passengers. If you're fortunate with check-in timing, you might even find yourself in Group A.

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Extra Time Passengers, Family, and Active Duty Military:

If you don't qualify for preboarding but still require additional time to board, say due to an injury, Southwest staff will give you a special boarding pass, allowing you to board right after Group A. Next are families with children under six years old and active duty military members (with ID) who can board without speaking to staff beforehand.

Family Boarding and Seating:

If you are traveling with a child six years old or younger:

• Up to two adults traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the "A" group has boarded and before the "B" group begins boarding.
• There should be enough open seats for the child to sit next to at least one accompanying adult.
• If the child and adults all hold "A" boarding passes, they should board in their assigned boarding position rather than wait for Family Boarding.
• If you need and request assistance, Southwest will endeavor to seat a child next to one accompanying passenger (14 and older) to the maximum extent practicable and at no additional cost.

Group B:

The group you're most likely to end up in if you check in on time and don't pay extra; passengers once again queue up along with the numbered boards and wait to board. Follow the signs to ensure you're in the correct section to avoid issues later at the gate.

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Group C:

If you forgot to check in on time or booked on the day, you'll find yourself stuck in Group C, boarding the plane last. This usually relegates you to a middle seat in the back or an aisle if you're lucky. Of course, the fewer the people onboard, the better chance you'll have at getting a decent seat.

How to get the best seats

Of course, the best way to confirm your seats in advance (or get close) is to buy a Business Select fare or pay for early boarding. Southwest Rapid Rewards elite members also get preferential boarding, and some co-branded cards offer credit for purchasing Upgraded Boarding.

But if you don't want to pay more, the best way is to set an alarm for exactly 24 hours and 1 minute before your flight. Check-in opens 24 hours before, and that one-minute warning is enough to open the Southwest app or website and your reservation to hit the button. You'll still end up in Group B, most likely, but a window seat is far more comfortable and takes away the stress from the free seating chart.

What are your tips for getting a good boarding position on Southwest? Let us know in the comments!