From Time Magazine:



Southwest Airlines, known for its customer-friendly policies, does not assign seats but instead assigns a spot in line for boarding. Passengers are divided into three boarding groups: A, B, and C, with a number between 1 and 60. Those who need assistance or families with young children will be allowed to board before the main groups. To ensure a favorable boarding position, passengers can check in early, purchase EarlyBird Check-In, Upgraded Boarding, Business Select or Anytime fares, or achieve elite status. Southwest’s unique boarding process makes it important to board early to secure a good seat and overhead bin space, especially for those traveling with friends or family. Improving one’s place in line can be achieved through strategic planning and the use of various services offered by the airline, such as credit card benefits.

Southwest Airlines stands out among other airlines for its customer-friendly policies, including the option to bring a travel companion for just the cost of taxes and fees through the Southwest Companion Pass. However, the airline does not assign seats and relies on a free-for-all approach to boarding passengers. To ensure a favorable boarding position, passengers can check in early, purchase services such as EarlyBird Check-In, Upgraded Boarding, Business Select or Anytime fares, or achieve elite status. An early boarding position is crucial for securing a good seat and overhead bin space, particularly for those traveling with friends or family. The use of strategic planning and the benefits of certain credit cards can help passengers improve their place in line and avoid the inconvenience of boarding late.



Read more: How to beat Southwest’s first-come-first-served boarding process