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Guest
How does upgraded boarding work on Southwest Airlines?
The first time I heard someone talk about upgraded boarding on Southwest, I honestly thought it meant better seats. I found out pretty quickly that it doesn’t work that way—but once you understand it, it actually makes a lot of sense. I learned this during a stressful flight from San Diego to San Jose when I forgot to check in on time and ended up with a terrible boarding position.
Southwest doesn’t assign seats, so upgraded boarding is all about when you get on the plane, not where you sit. The best boarding spots are A1–A15, and upgraded boarding lets you buy one of those positions if they’re still available. When I opened the app the night before my flight and saw C46, I knew I needed a backup plan. I clicked into my reservation and saw the option to purchase upgraded boarding. I wasn’t thrilled about paying extra, but I also didn’t want a middle seat in the last row.
Once I bought the upgrade, my boarding pass instantly changed to A8. No waiting, no uncertainty. I boarded early, grabbed an aisle seat near the front, and had plenty of overhead bin space. The difference in stress alone made it worth it.
Since that trip, I’ve used upgraded boarding a few more times and learned how it usually works. You can buy it within 24 hours of departure through the Southwest app or website, or you can purchase it at the airport gate if any A1–A15 spots are still open. Availability varies by flight, so it’s not guaranteed, especially on busy routes.
One important thing I’ve learned is that upgraded boarding is not the same as Business Select. Business Select is a fare type you book or upgrade into, and it includes A1–A15 automatically, along with other perks. Upgraded boarding is more of a last-minute fix when you realize your boarding position isn’t great.
I’ve also seen how helpful this can be during flight changes. On one trip, my original flight was canceled and I got rebooked late in the boarding order. Upgraded boarding was still available on the new flight, and it saved me from starting the trip already frustrated.
Now, if I forget to check in or end up with a bad boarding number, upgraded boarding is my go-to solution. It doesn’t change the seat itself, but it gives you control over where you end up—and on Southwest, that makes all the difference.