While traveling, everyone thinks of comfort and luxury during their journey. It should feel like a holiday, from boarding the flight to returning home. Many people want to have a particular seat during the flight to enjoy the view or extra space. Not to worry, the Southwest Airlines Seat Selection option has something interesting for all their passengers. They have a unique style of allotting seats, suggesting passengers can only get seats when they are designated into assigned groups before boarding.
Southwest Airlines Seat Selection Guidelines
Southwest Airlines does not allot seats to its passengers in advance. Most carriers allow their passengers to select the seats at the time of booking against an additional fee. Thus, southwest seat selection depends upon the type of class booked. Passengers will be assigned to three groups, A, B, and C, in addition to positions from 1-60. There are some guidelines that each passenger should know while booking.
- First come, first serve option allows passengers who board early to choose from various seats.
- Southwest Airlines seat selection depends on boarding the plane. Therefore, the passengers are divided into three categories.
- Each category has 60 passengers. Being the first category, get a chance to board the flight early.
- If passengers have selected a seat at the time of booking, they might be asked to change the seat at check-in. Unless the fee is paid for a seat.
- Passengers traveling with someone or family and want to sit together. The airlines have a process to make follow.
- During check-in, passengers can request the airlines to provide them with seats together if traveling with family.
- If a passenger wants to upgrade their seat to business class, they can select the seat at the time of booking.
- One can visit the official website to know more about the exact boarding positions.
Types Of Seats Offered On Southwest Airlines Flights
There are three options available in the seat selection of southwest airlines; business, Wanna get away, and anytime seats. One should check all three categories before making bookings.
- Anytime Seats
These seats can be changed anytime without paying extra charges to the airline. Passengers might gain 10 rapid rewards per spent on a seat. Thus, it can be used for further bookings with Southwest.
- Wanna Get Away
This category comes with comfort and is budget-friendly. In this, passengers might get comfortable seats after choosing during the boarding. They also offer food and beverages, legroom space, and entertainment services. Thus, these tickets are non-refundable.
- Business Select seats
Southwest Business Select seats are considered best for a long journey, as they offer extra comfort during the flight. Passengers will also be offered complimentary drinks, food, massage, in-flight entertainment, etc.
Fees For Selecting Southwest Flight Seats
Per Southwest Airlines, there is no provision for selecting seats when booking. It can be chosen only at the time of boarding. If passengers get their desired seats on the flight, they have to pay an additional fee to the airline. Though, the price depends upon the destination and can vary between $30-$40 each way. The passenger who boards the flight first gets an advantage in choosing any seat without any charges.
Southwest Airlines Seat Configuration
Southwest Airlines operate only Boeing 737 planes. Southwest currently uses 3 types of 737: Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, and Boeing 737 Max 8. A new fourth type of plane will be in operation soon in the coming years.
- Boeing 737-700: It has 143 seats, accounting for 60% of the airline’s fleet; each seat has a width of 17 inches and a pitch of 31 inches.
- Boeing 737-800: This aircraft is larger and has 175 seats; each seat has a width of 17 inches and a pitch of 31 to 32 inches.
- Boeing 737- Max 8: The newest addition to the southwest fleet consists of each seat with a width of 17.8 inches and a pitch of 32 to 33 inches.
How To Get The Best Seats On Southwest Airlines?
Passengers often think about how they will get the best seat possible on Southwest flights. As everyone knows, the airline does not allow one to select a seat at booking time. So, here are some points which can help to understand better for getting a better seat.
- Passengers can upgrade boarding or early check-in or select business seats to get the perfect seat.
- Southwest Airlines might give better options for seat selection to passengers who have booked a flight for the first time.
- Try to check in 24 hours before departure to get the best seats on the flight.
- Passengers with a membership of A-list Elite status can select a seat as per their preference on southwest airlines.
Suppose, during the boarding of the flight passenger wants to choose a seat and needs clarification as to which one they should select. Here are some tips that can help according to the passengers’ preferences.
- If anyone wants extra legroom, choose seats from the first few rows.
- Passengers who travel in groups of three or more should opt for the last few rows of the flight.
- If the passenger wants to deboard the flight as early as possible, they should choose the first row, there would not be a storage space, but they will be the first to deboard from the flight.
How to determine the seat count of Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines’ seat selection process does not allow passengers to choose a seat at booking time, but if passengers want to know the number of seats before traveling, they can select them while boarding. However, one can learn about the number or layout of the flight.
- First, visit the Southwest Airlines website.
- Choose the flight number for which flight seat plan you want.
- Here, occupied and vacant seats will be shown.
- One can select the desired seat
- Pay the fee to the airline for a seat chosen.
Further modifications to the booking can be easily made through Southwest Airlines Manage Booking facility.
Do Southwest Airlines offer Family Seating?
Passengers traveling with accompaniment can use the select seat-together feature for sitting together. However, southwest does not assure it as the airline does not assign seats. As they work on a first-come, first-serve basis. If the passenger is keen to get the seats together, they should select a seat at the earliest.
Although southwest airlines seat selection permits the passengers to choose their seats but cannot assign them by default, one can select a seat online, make changes up to 10 minutes before the flight, and pay an additional fee for the preferred seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose a seat on Southwest Airlines?
Passengers can choose seats at the time of boarding the flight. Southwest Airlines follow an open-sitting style. The airline does not allot seats to the passengers.
How can I get a seat first on Southwest Airlines?
There are a few ways that can help you with getting a seat first on southwest airlines.
- Try to check in 24 hours before departure to get the best seats on the flight.
- Passengers with a membership of A-list Elite status can select a seat as per their preference on southwest airlines.
- Upgrade boarding or buy early-bird check-in.
Is group B good on Southwest?
If the passenger wants a window or aisle seat, choosing option B group for boarding is the best option for you.
How much does it cost to pick a seat on Southwest?
Per Southwest Airlines, there is no provision for selecting seats when booking. It can be chosen only at the time of boarding. If passengers get their desired seats on the flight, they have to pay an additional fee to the airline. Though, the price depends upon the destination and can vary between $30-$40 each way.
How to get a better boarding position on Southwest?
Passengers can buy upgrade boarding with a separate fee from which they can book the remaining A1-A15 boarding positions. It has a fee between $30 and $50 at the gate or ticket desk.
Are business select seats bigger in the southwest?
Business seats are considered best for a long journey, as they offer extra comfort during the flight. Passengers will also be offered complimentary drinks, food, massage, in-flight entertainment, etc.
Why can’t I choose a seat on southwest airlines?
Southwest Airlines does not allow the passenger to choose their seat for many reasons. The reason may include that the airline wants to assign seats that evenly distribute weight in the flight, the boarding process, and the cost of individual seat assignments.
What is a select seat together?
Passengers traveling with accompaniment can use the select seat-together feature for sitting together. However, southwest does not assure it as the airline does not assign seats. As they work on a first-come, first-serve basis. If the passenger is keen to get the seats together, they should select a seat at the earliest.
What is Seat selection on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines does not allot seats to its passengers in advance. Thus, southwest seat selection depends upon the type of class booked. Passengers will be assigned to three groups, A, B, and C, in addition to positions from 1-60.
How to determine which seat is best for us on Southwest Airlines?
Suppose, during the boarding of the flight passenger wants to choose a seat and needs clarification as to which one they should select.
- If anyone wants extra legroom, choose seats from the first few rows.
- Passengers who travel in groups of three or more should opt for the last few rows of the flight.
- If the passenger wants to deboard the flight as early as possible, they should choose the first row, there would not be a storage space, but they will be the first to deboard from the flight.
