I may be cutting my own throat by exposing this secret. But I’m going to do it anyway.
Nearly every airline uses assigned seating. Except one: Southwest Airlines. They use a “first come, first served” system of boarding, as you may know. It’s based on who checks in first, not who arrives at the airport first.
With Southwest Airlines, you can check in online up to 24 hours in advance. The boarding number they give you when you check in online is locked-in at that time.
The lower your boarding number, the better your chances of finding the seat you want. For example, “A3″ is better than “C3.” You will board the plane based on your boarding number. So lower numbers are better. If you get a “C” boarding number, you could very well be sitting in a middle seat.
There is no need to get to the airport 3 hours early so you can get a low boarding number. Even if you don’t print your boarding pass when you check in online, the boarding number is still locked-in.
You can print your boarding pass at any time after you’ve checked in from any computer or at a Kiosk at the airport. The boarding number you see when you check in online will be the boarding number you see when ever you print your boarding pass.
Bottom line: check in online 24 hours before your departure date/time in order to get the lowest possible boarding number.
On several occasions I have found myself speaking or training or doing something else that prohibited me from checking in online at the appointed time. If you know you won’t be near a computer to check in at the appointed time, you can have your secretary, significant other, or friend do it for you. All they need is the name used when purchasing the ticket and the confirmation number.
You can print out your boarding pass at your home or office, but you don’t have to. You can always print it out at a Kiosk at the airport. No need to wait in line unless you have baggage to check. This is great if you ever forget your boarding pass or lose it, as I have on occasion.
By the way, Southwest does not charge for checked baggage (up to two pieces). Check their website for their current policy.
The reason I said I may be cutting my own throat in telling you about this is because the more people who know about this the harder it is to get a low boarding number. But I love you, man (and/or WO-man)!
nice post. thanks.