Everything you need to know about Southwest’s unique boarding process (and how to hack it)

But one Southwest procedure that tends to divide the room is its peculiar free-for-all approach to loading passengers onto the plane. Let’s look at the Southwest boarding process and reveal several ways to ensure you get the best seat.

How Southwest boarding groups work

Southwest is unique among airlines in that it doesn’t assign seats. Instead, it assigns you a spot in line to board the plane.

There are just three boarding Southwest groups: A, B, and C. Travelers in each group are assigned a number between 1 and 60 (for example, A50, B18, C32, and so on). Numbered pylons in front of the gate show passengers where to stand as they wait to board. A1 will board first, and the highest number in group C will board last.

It’s also worth noting that those who need assistance for some reason (such as a disability) will preboard before group A. Likewise, families with children aged six and under will board between groups A and B.

5 ways to upgrade your Southwest boarding group

Here’s the one thing you need to know about Southwest boarding: it’s first-come-first-served. The earlier you check in for your flight, the sooner you’ll be on the plane. For example, if you check in immediately after check-in is available, you may be assigned seat A30. But if you wait to check in after you get to the airport, you may be given seat C40.

You can take several measures to improve your spot in line—including paying for a premium seat.

Check in as early as possible

The most popular (and cheapest) way to vie for a favorable pole position is by checking in as soon as possible. Southwest opens check-in to customers 24 hours before departure. It’s wise to set an alarm for this occasion and begin refreshing the Southwest site (or your app) as the seconds tick down. You can bet that other travelers on your flight are doing the same thing.

While implementing this strategy will almost certainly score you a decent seat selection, it’s not a sure thing due to the other options below that guarantee a better spot. You can check in for every flight on the same itinerary at the 24-hour mark, so if someone is connecting to your flight they may have checked in hours before you were eligible to do so.

EarlyBird Check-In

EarlyBird Check-In is a service that automatically reserves your place in line 36 hours before departure. That’s a full 12 hours earlier than most everyone else—virtually guaranteeing that you’ll have a seat before the majority of the plane. Additionally, EarlyBird Check-In customers will board according to the order in which they purchased the service. If you were the first to opt in, you’ll board sooner.

EarlyBird Check-In costs between $15 and $25 each way. That can add up quickly for those traveling with friends or family. It may also not be available for every flight, or Southwest may simply cap the number that can be purchased for your flight.

If you’re not keen to spend the money for an EarlyBird Check-In, you may consider a credit card that offers the service for free. For example, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card both offer two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year—just for holding the card.

Upgraded Boarding

Upgraded Boarding is similar to a souped-up version of EarlyBird Check-In. Positions A1 and A15 are reserved for those who buy Upgraded Boarding (and anyone who purchases a Business Select seat, as we’ll talk about in a minute). That means you are one of the first to sit down.

Upgraded Boarding isn’t always available—but when it is, you can expect to pay between $30 and $80 per leg of your trip. That’s right, you’ll have to pay multiple times if you want to be at the front of the line on an itinerary with a connection. 

Fortunately, some Southwest credit cards offer a few Upgraded Boardings at no additional cost each year. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card and Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card both include four upgraded boardings annually. That could conceivably translate into $320 in a single year, or up to $640 if you hold both cards (which is worth doing if you regularly find yourself buying Upgraded Boardings).

Pay for Business Select or Anytime fares

Southwest publishes four fare tiers, two of which offer improved boarding.

The first group is Business Select, which boards between A1 and A15. With the exception of those in the preboarding group who need assistance, Business Select passengers are the absolute first on board (they’re even ahead of those who purchase Upgraded Boarding). It’s worth noting that Southwest’s “business” seats are no fancier than any other seat on the plane. Southwest doesn’t operate multi-cabin planes. The main draw is the ability to board first, along with goodies such as free inflight internet and a complimentary premium drink (on select flights).

The second group is Anytime, which comes with EarlyBird Check-In. These refundable tickets are often not worth the upcharge from Southwest’s bottom-tier Wanna Get Away fares. You’re likely better off simply purchasing an EarlyBird Check-In if your primary concern is a tolerable boarding position.

Achieve elite status

Southwest has two elite status tiers:

• A-List: Earned after you complete 20 qualifying flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points
• A-List Preferred: Earned after you complete 40 qualifying flights or earn 70,000 tier qualifying points

Both tiers offer the benefit of reserving your spot in line (along with other passengers on your reservation) 36 hours before departure. In other words, elite status effectively gets you and your travel buddies free EarlyBird Check-Ins for all flights. That could be a massive money-saver for large families that want to be near the front of the line.

Certain airline credit cards can help you to earn Southwest elite status more quickly, namely:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

For every $5,000 you spend on these cards, you’ll receive 1,500 tier qualifying points. That means spending $120,000 in a calendar year with one of these cards could earn you Southwest A-List status without ever stepping foot on a plane.

Are Southwest boarding upgrades worth it?

Because of Southwest’s snooze-you-lose boarding procedure, the awkwardness of searching for a seat skyrockets the closer you are to the end of the queue. All the “good” seats will be snatched up—not to mention the overhead bin space—and if you’re traveling with friends or family, you likely won’t be able to sit together. In this case, a boarding upgrade could be well worth it.

No one wants the dreaded middle seat, but if you are near the end of the Southwest boarding process, you’re likely going to be the one hunting for an aisle or window.

The takeaway 

More than perhaps any other airline, Southwest is one that you’ll want to board as soon as possible. Anything you can do to improve your place in line is well worth it. The back of the line means limited overhead bin space and a nearly guaranteed middle seat.

For a free shot at a lower boarding number, check in exactly 24 hours before departure. Or, spring for EarlyBird Check-In or Upgraded Boarding to cut the line effectively.