Southwest Airlines Community

no need to apologize about disagreeing...but "social distancing" on a plane is a farce. But lets "maintain" it when we get on and off.... ... View more

"Typically all the airlines offer pre-boarding to passengers who may require more time to board. Not just SWA! "   True, so how come when I fly them (United, Hawaiian and Delta over this past year) I seldom see more than 2-3 pre-boards, Is it because:   A) More disabled people flock to SWA than all other airlines combined, or   B) My 7-8 flights I took on airlines other than SW is not a large enough sample size to draw a conclusion, or   C) With assigned seats, there is little incentive to boarding early as you will end up in your assigned seat where as if you just say you need to pre-board on SW you get access to any seat you want and save a bunch for your friends and family.   I'll go with "C" ... View more

SWA boarding is a free for all. There are no reserved seats. (Except when people save seats or people fake disability to board early or have an eBay approved ESA)   You don't know where you will be sitting or whether or not there will be enough empty seats for you to can sit with others in your party, family, kids, co-workers, whatever.   But you know this up front. Before you bought your tickets right? (and your point is?)   Why then come here and complain? (Because SWA monetizes their boarding order with BS premium pricing, A1-15 at-gate purchase, Earlybird, A-list benefits etc. that people DO value and buy because they want to sit together with others in their party, family kids, co-workers, whatever)   If you need to sit in a certain seat or next to certain people why would you buy a ticket on an airline that doesn't allow you to reserve seats in advance? (Because  we ALL don't live in cities that have multiple options - glad you do)   Enough with the complaints about seating. (Got it - anyone who wants to will run it by you before posting) ... View more

Hi Jessica, I could be wrong (but never in doubt) but I THINK the OP paid $40 for the A1-15 upgrade usually available at the gate rather than earlybird...maybe he'll be back to confirm.. ... View more

“All the seats are the same size and go to the same place.  All the checked bags do too, and are free. All of the seats either have a window, an aisle, or the use of two armrests.”   guess the same questions should be asked of the pre-board scammers but they seem to find reasons to board early whereas the OP at least PAID to board A1-15...as to why he paid the $40 “on a flight that costs less than 100 bucks” is really his business but good to know you’d find “little reason”    ... View more

Better yet, get the SWA Chase signature card and get 4 A1-15 upgrades free annually...great workaround ... View more

Whatever....if their "computer system" has an algorithm that thinks the best option to go from Point A to Point B includes Point B, C, D and E then they must have bought from the same people who manage their WiFi.  ... View more

Had the same thing/email from SW today on a Nov flt from LAX to TPA...took a look at the change and they booked me from a 1-stop itinerary to a FOUR stop milk run! LAX to MDW to RDU to FLL and then TPA. I mean really...so I look at the schedule and see several 1-stops from LAX top TPA at under 200 bucks. Why they can't use common sense and re-book you on a reasonable option is baffling.  ... View more

Assigned seating takes away much of the benefit of early boarding so why go to the trouble of faking it? Huge incentive on SW so that’s why so many do vs other airlines as you note. Other airlines you pay for aisle, closer to the front etc. whereas SW you request early boarding ... View more

more seat saving fun   Flying back to TPA from MDW last Thursday, fake pre-boarder sits in the bulkhead aisle with her stuff all over the other two seats; I was A-3 and the opposite bulkhead row was completely empty so no biggie for me. Guy comes on, asks for the window in my row and has to put his bags up of course and by that time needed to put stuff in the overhead on the opposite side (over seat saving lady) she gives him the evil eye but doesn't say anything. Next a lady comes on and takes the middle in my row and again has to put stuff above SS lady. All front bins are full now and closed. You can guess what happens next...   So, her companions finally board (guessing late B or so) and of course have 4 carry-on's between them, open the first 3-4 bins and of course all are full. So they stand there, causing a ruckus and holding up everyone for at least 5 minutes and SS lady starts complaining to the FA that the two others in my row should not have been able to put stuff above her "saved" seats - you can't make this stuff up. Window guy says "are you serious" and she shuts up.    Plane arrives and SS lady tells the companions "i'll meet you at the top" and bolts out of there faster than a NY minute...   Also on this flight there was at least 3 SWA employees that pre-boarded as well and while it looked like they didn't take exit rows etc. whats up with that? ... View more

I hear ya Bill but not too many would want to sit there for what may be hours next to someone who is giving you the stink eye for the whole flight or to cause a confrontation even tthough the seat-saver is also responsible...just not a great situation and one that won't change until some hot-heads really get into it... ... View more

I've seen this before but handled much better...in that after the pre-board situation has been evaluated for the next flight, the FA would then allow you to move, They also should have allowed at least one of the bulkhead rows to be used by the through passengers after the headcount...really burns you when the bulkhead is held for the fake ESAs... ... View more

will be interesting to see the number of pre-boards for the upcoming 5-6 hour Hawaii flights. Can't imagine paying the fares I am seeing (after the low gimmick intro fares) for no meals, no E plus product and 30-50 preboards ... View more

"Sorry to hear that you do not plan to fly Southwest again. Some people love Southwest. Others hate it. Apparently you are in the later camp.   However, lots of others don't share your feelings as Southwest has the highest customer satisfaction numbers and passenger count in the country.   Enjoy your future travels on whichever carrier you choose."   Geez, what was the purpose of this? Do you work for SWA or just an apologist? Obviously the OP knows that a ton of people love SWA but it does't work for him and his group and their policies (idiotic in his opinion) have cost them 700K annually. SWA should know this - and now they do. ... View more

The only solution to the Preboard nonsense is assigned seats. My guess is at some point the abuse will reach a tipping point and assigned seating will be the only way to resolve the bogus pre-boards and seat saving  . That will only come when SWA $ee$ some financial impact when idiots like me stop buying BS tickets or worry about gaining Companion pass/AL+/AL status year after year. Unfortunate that the open seating policy that has been so successful for SWA over the years may someday change because of dishonest and inconsiderate passengers ... View more

"Its one thing to have achieved A-List status. It’s another thing altogether to consider yourself entitled above others in so doing."   HUH? Isn't that the purpose of a status? to reward your best customers with perks and privileges that are available only to those reaching that status? What is ridiculous is monetizing something either through EB, A-List etc. and then SW giving it away exacerbated by open seating ... View more

@along0611 wrote: If I had to go to the back I would have to walk the entire length of the plane, which I am not able to do without the use of my cane or walker, that I have to check at the door. Most people that pre-board sit in the front of the plane because they struggle to walk long distances or move through the row on thier own.  So how do pre-boards on every other airline make it through the first-class sections and even economy plus??  I don't see those airlines giving it away to those who pre-board.... ... View more

draw conclusions by the fact that the number of pre-boards on SWA is usually double or triple the number you see on assigned seating airlines. There is simply more incentive to preboard when your prize is better seat selection - and I believe the rule is one family member per pre-board but this is seldom enforced. I can hardly wait until the Hawaii flights start - 6 hour flights and I predict a third of the plane will be pre-boards. SWA needs to do something...go to assigned seating, rope off a few rows for A-list preferred....SOMETHING! ... View more