Southwest Airlines Boarding Process & Groups – Everything You Need To Know

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Due to COVID-19, Southwest has made the following changes to its boarding process.
– Southwest will be boarding passengers in groups smaller than 10 at a time by their designated boarding positions. Flight attendants will also help provide guidance on distancing during deplaning.
– Customers are required to wear a face-covering for boarding and the duration of the flight. This includes all passengers that previously had a medical exemption. If you do not wear a mask, you will not be permitted to fly.
– Southwest is limiting the number of tickets sold on each flight to allow extra distancing for travel through September 30, 2020. The airline is committed to blocking middle seats, but they are maintaining their open seating policy to allow families to sit together.


Southwest Airlines has gained a lot of popularity over the years in part because they do things a little differently. They don’t charge change fees, they don’t charge for checked baggage, and they don’t assign seats.
If you have never flown Southwest before, this last one can throw you for a loop! But have no fear — Upgraded Points has got you covered!
In this post, we’ll detail what makes the Southwest boarding process different and what you need to know to navigate it like a pro. We’ll also show you some ways to help boost your chances of getting the seat you want plus answer some common FAQs.
What Makes the Southwest Boarding Process Different?
The Southwest Airlines boarding process is different because they don’t assign seats. However, it’s not a free for all — there is a specific system that you’ll need to follow to board the plane. Then once you are on board, you can choose any available seat that you want.
The Southwest Airlines Boarding Process [Detailed]
Why Checking in for Your Flight Is so Important
When you check in for your Southwest Airlines flight, you’ll receive a boarding position. This boarding position will consist of a letter (A, B, or C) and a number (1-60).
The number you’re assigned is based (mostly) on when you check in for your flight — the earlier you check in, the better your boarding position will be.
Southwest opens check-in 24 hours before your plane departs, so you’ll want to check in as soon as it opens. Seasoned Southwest passengers will set an alarm to remind themselves to check in exactly 24 hours ahead of time.
Checking in 24 hours before your flight will usually land you somewhere in the B boarding group — which is generally adequate to find either a window or aisle seat or 2 seats
together if you are flying with a companion.
At the Gate
When it’s time to board the plane, the gate agent will first call the A group to get in position. You’ll notice 2 lines of people lining up in rows that are labeled A 1-30 and A 31-60 (note the photo below is showing C 1-30 and C 31+). In each row, there will be a marker for every 5 numbers showing exactly where you should be standing in line.
Once boarding begins, the gate agent will start with pre-board passengers and those with boarding positions A 1-15 (usually reserved for Business Select passengers). Then they will continue with A 15-30 then A 31-60. Once A 1-30 have boarded the plane, the monitor at the front of the line will change to B 1-30. Then the B group can start lining up while the rest of the A group finishes getting on the plane.
When your number is called, you’ll walk in line to the gate agent to scan your boarding pass and proceed on to the plane. Once you are on the plane, you can choose any open seat.
Hot Tip:
If you’re flying on Southwest Airlines, be sure to familiarize yourself with the Rapid Rewards program. This frequent flyer program includes lots of ways to earn points (even without flying) and offers easy points redemptions with no blackout dates. Southwest flies to lots of international destinations plus Hawaii (finally), so their Rapid Rewards program is one you won’t want to miss.

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