Southwest Airline Seat Selection Policy

Southwest-operated aircraft do not have assigned seats. Instead, they use an open-seating system. When you get on the plane, just find an open seat and put your carry-on bag in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. Let’s learn about how seat selection works on Southwest.

What Are the Seating Options Available With Southwest Airlines?

Southwest Airlines has three types of seating options available:

Business Select is Southwest’s premium class of seating. It provides passengers with priority boarding, extra legroom, and a complimentary premium drink and snack during the flight. Passengers who choose Business Select also get extra Rapid Rewards points and can change their flight without any fees.
Anytime: Anytime is Southwest’s middle-tier seating option. It allows passengers to change their flight without any fees and offers priority boarding. Passengers can choose their preferred seat, but there is no extra legroom available.
Wanna Get Away: Do you want to get away? Southwest offers a seating option called “Wanna Get Away” that has a lower price. However, it comes with fewer amenities. When you check in for your Southwest flight, you will be given a seat assignment. You are also allowed to bring one personal item and one carry-on bag with you. Passengers with this ticket type do not get any additional benefits like priority boarding or the option to change their flight without incurring fees.

How Can I Select the Best Seats on Board Southwest Airlines?

This guide contains information collected from different Southwest Airlines flights. Just a reminder, even if you have an A1 boarding position on Southwest Airlines, there’s no guarantee of getting a specific seat due to their open seating policy.

Here are some recommendations for Southwest’s seat selection policy:

The Best Seats for Families With Kids

Southwest families should sit in the back. Do this for several reasons.

In the back of the plane, where there are the most empty seats, you can probably find seats together.
Family boarding is for children under six.
Sitting in the last row puts you near the restrooms and flight attendants. Southwest unaccompanied minors should sit in the final rows.

Seats With Additional Legroom

If a passenger wants more legroom, they can sit in the exit row. These seats usually have more space for stretching out your legs.

Passengers who want to sit in the exit row must meet specific requirements. These include being at least 15 years old, physically capable, and able to help in case of an emergency.
Passengers have the option to sit in the first few rows of the plane, which usually have more legroom compared to seats toward the back.
You can usually get these seats by paying extra through Southwest’s “Upgraded Boarding” option.

Learn about Southwest’s Name Change Policy. Passenger names may be updated or corrected with simplicity, maintaining consistency with official forms of identification. Follow the easy instructions to go where you need to go without a hitch. You can relax knowing that your Southwest flight will arrive on time and without any hiccups.

Ideal Seating for Large Groups

The best seating configuration for a large group on Southwest Airlines depends on group size, trip goal, and personal preferences. Here are some Southwest airline seating possibilities for different party sizes:

Groups of 2-3 may prefer a row of three seats. Southwest has three seats on either side of the aisle, so you can sit together or across the aisle.
Groups of 4-5 — Sit in two rows for slightly larger groups. You can sit in a row of three, two, or two rows of two chairs.
Group 6-7-person groups Southwest’s flights offer three-seat rows in the back for larger parties. These are useful if you want to seat together on the airline.
Groups of 8 or more — If you’re traveling with a large group, try scheduling EarlyBird Check-In for everyone to enhance your chances of securing seats together. To sit together, board the plane early. Request a bulkhead row or upgrade to Business Select or EarlyBird Priority for more seating.

Passengers With a Quick Connection Should Sit Here

Here are a few seating options to consider when flying on Southwest planes:

Aisle Seat –If you’re in a hurry, choosing an aisle seat is a good idea because it allows for a quick exit from the plane. You can easily move to the front of the aircraft without waiting for others to stand up and collect their things.
Front of the plane –Choose a seat near the front of the plane to save time when getting off.
Overwing Exit Row –Overwing Exit Row seats are great because they have lots of legroom and are usually near the front of the plane, making it easy to get off quickly.
EarlyBird Check-In – If you want to make sure you get a good seat, you can buy EarlyBird Check-In. This lets you check in before everyone else and gives you priority boarding. By following this approach, you increase your chances of getting a seat you prefer and being able to exit quickly.

The Ideal Seating for Passengers if You Need Empty Seats Next to You

Here are a few strategies you can try to request a seat assignment on Southwest Airlines that meets your needs:

Please book a flight during times when there are fewer people.
Please select a seat located towards the rear of the aircraft.
Please select a middle seat.
Arrive at the check-in counter before the designated time.

The Ideal Seating for Passengers if You Want to Recline

According to Southwest’s seating policy, some rows on the aircraft may only partially recline or not recline at all.

The Boeing 737-700 has rows 10, 11, and 24.
The Boeing 737-800 has rows 13, 14, 15, and 30.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 has rows 13, 14, 15, and 30.

How to select the seats on Southwest Airlines?

When you fly with Southwest Airlines, you don’t get to choose a specific seat when you buy your ticket. They have an open seating policy. When you check in for your flight, you will be given a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a boarding position (1-60).

The process for getting a seat assignment on Southwest Airlines is as follows:

When you get to the gate, you’ll need to stand in line based on your boarding group (A, B, or C) and boarding position (1-60).
Boarding will start with the A group. They will begin at position 1 and go in order until they reach position 60. After all passengers in the A group have boarded, the B group will board in the same manner, and then the C group will board.
Once you board the plane, you are free to choose any seat that is available. You can choose any seat you want because there are no assigned seats.

If you want a better seat, try to check in early. You can check in online for your Southwest Airlines flight up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure time. Checking in early improves your boarding position, increasing your chances of getting your preferred seat.

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

Southwest Airlines usually doesn’t require a fee for choosing your seat. Passengers can choose their seats for free when they book their flight or during check-in, which usually starts 24 hours before the flight’s scheduled departure time.

To sum up, Southwest Airlines has a special and customer-friendly way of choosing seats. Southwest’s seat selection policy allows passengers to choose their own seats and upgrade to priority boarding for an extra fee. This system helps passengers board quickly and efficiently. It also lets families and groups sit together without extra fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Southwest not assign seats?

The boarding process used is called “open seating” or “open boarding.” This means that passengers can choose their seats in the order they arrive.

How do I know my seat on Southwest?

Passengers should line up based on their boarding group and number. Once on the plane, they are free to choose any available seat.

How do I get a preferred seat on Southwest?

If you chose a seat when you booked, you will see your assigned seat on the confirmation page and in the email you receive confirming your booking.

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