Flying Southwest from MacArthur? I have a ?

It depends on the type of ticket you get. Remember how on the website they have all different prices? If you buy the cheapest ticket (I think its called a fun fare) you're automatically in group C (the last group to board). If you buy the refundable anytime far (the most expensive) then it depends on what time you get to the airport - if you get there relatively early you'll be in Group A...or B if you're not there in time before group A fills up.

Does that make any sense?

when you check in, your ticket says either 'a,b,c, or d'.

When you go to the gate, you line up according to your letter, and they call the letters in order to board the plane. Once you're on the plane, you can choose any seat you want.

They let all families with a wheelchair or a stroller go first. Also, families with small children go first.

I was there 1.5 hrs before, and I got group A.

eta: We bought the fun fare, and we were traveling w/ 6 people. We all sat together.

They put you into A, B, and C groups depending on what time you checked in. The A group boards first, then B, then C. You can print out your boarding pass online, though, starting at midnight the day of the flight. If you do that early enough in the day, you are almost guaranteed an A group boarding pass.

ETA: According to Southwest's policy, it does not have to do with the price of your ticket - it only depends on how early you checked in.

---

Posted by jenny2penny

I heard that after midnight that day you fly, you can go on line and print your boarding pass.

---

I heard this too, but when DH's dad was leaving last week we tried for hours and just kept getting error messages

My sister works for Southwest out of MacArthur. The seating is on a first come first serve basis. ABC (there is no D) just pre-boarding which are wheelchairs and kids.

You will be assigned a letter and board accordingly.

You can print out the boarding pass online at midnight the day of your flight. If it doesn't work that means you are going to be searched before you board the plane. I couldn't print out my HONEYMOON ticket and DH could, I was picked out and searched before going on the plane.

Any other questions just let me know

---

Posted by CaCRmr

My sister works for Southwest out of MacArthur. The seating is on a first come first serve basis. ABC (there is no D) just pre-boarding which are wheelchairs and kids.

You will be assigned a letter and board accordingly.

You can print out the boarding pass online at midnight the day of your flight. If it doesn't work that means you are going to be searched before you board the plane. I couldn't print out my HONEYMOON ticket and DH could, I was picked out and searched before going on the plane.

Any other questions just let me know

---

Cool! Can she hook me up? So it's best to print that out at midnite then? I have to leave at like 5AM but maybe DH can stay up and print it. Better to print then to arrive early?

---

Posted by jenny2penny

I heard that after midnight that day you fly, you can go on line and print your boarding pass.

---

I do this all the itme and it makes things so much easier!

---

Posted by cjb88

Definately print your pass out after midnight!!! (or whenever you wake up) As long as you get in group A... you will be able to sit where ever you want!! I usually dont even line up when everyone else starts... i stay in my seat where it is nice and cozy, and when they actually start boarding I am one of the last of the group As to get on... i always get to pick my seat! If i was put into group B I would definately just plop myself on the line as soon as I got to the gate!

---

Thanks, I think I'll have DH stay up and print it for me while I catch some zzz's before the flight...

---

Posted by EireBride-to-Be

It depends on the type of ticket you get. Remember how on the website they have all different prices? If you buy the cheapest ticket (I think its called a fun fare) you're automatically in group C (the last group to board). If you buy the refundable anytime far (the most expensive) then it depends on what time you get to the airport - if you get there relatively early you'll be in Group A...or B if you're not there in time before group A fills up.

Does that make any sense?

---

This isn't the way it works. I fly this airline all the time to Florida. It is first come first serve. If you check in first, you will be assigned group A and will be on the first line to board. Then after so many check in, it is group B, etc. I have been in group C and still had my pick of seats.

Thank you so much for posting this thread. I will also be flying southwest to FL from LI.
My 1st time on Southwest. These posts helped a lot. TY!!!

One more question, do I have to print something out when I log on at midnight, or is it just the logging on that ensures a good seat? Our printer broke

Printing boarding passes from on-line .. TOTALLY AWESOME!!

Yes, you will need a printer (in my experience with Delta).