I used to always end up in the middle seat on Southwest flights — not because I liked it, but because I never quite understood how to get a better boarding position. My turning point came during a trip from Dallas to Denver when I checked in just 15 minutes late and landed in the dreaded “C” group. By the time I boarded, all the good seats were gone, and I swore I’d never make that mistake again.
Since then, I’ve learned a few solid tricks to upgrade your boarding position on Southwest. The easiest one is to add EarlyBird Check-In when you book your flight. It automatically checks you in 36 hours before departure, so you usually get a much better spot — usually in the A or early B group. But for even more control, I tried Upgraded Boarding for the first time earlier this year. I paid about $40 at the gate and got boarding position A5 — first group on the plane! Totally worth it for the comfort and overhead bin space.
Another thing I’ve done when plans changed last minute is call Southwest’s customer service directly. The reps have helped me upgrade or adjust my booking on the spot, and the process is always smooth. Now I always plan ahead — or spend a little extra for Upgraded Boarding — because boarding early on Southwest makes the whole flight so much better.
