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What does upgraded boarding mean on Southwest Airlines flights?
The first time I saw the phrase “upgraded boarding” on a Southwest flight, I assumed it meant better seats or extra legroom. I found out pretty quickly that it’s not that kind of upgrade at all. I really learned what it meant during a hectic trip from Sacramento to San Diego when I forgot to check in on time and ended up with one of the worst boarding numbers I’ve ever had.
On Southwest, upgraded boarding doesn’t change the seat itself — all seats are the same. What it does change is when you get on the plane. Boarding positions are everything with Southwest’s open seating. The earlier you board, the more seat choices you have. The very best positions are A1–A15, and upgraded boarding gives you one of those spots if they’re still available.
On that Sacramento flight, I opened the app the night before and saw C39 next to my name. I was traveling with a carry-on and knew overhead space would be tight. I clicked into my reservation and saw the option to purchase upgraded boarding. I decided to go for it, mostly out of desperation. As soon as I paid, my boarding position changed to A10. It was instant, and honestly, such a relief.
The difference at the airport was huge. Instead of lining up late and hoping for the best, I boarded early, had my pick of aisle or window seats, and easily stowed my bag. The flight itself was the same, but the experience felt smoother and far less stressful.
Since then, I’ve learned that upgraded boarding is usually available within 24 hours of departure or at the gate, depending on how full the flight is. It’s especially helpful if you forget to check in, get rebooked after a delay, or are flying on a busy route.
One thing I didn’t realize at first is that upgraded boarding is different from Business Select. Business Select is a fare type you book or upgrade into that includes early boarding automatically. Upgraded boarding is more of a last-minute fix when you want to improve your position without changing your whole ticket.
Now when people ask what upgraded boarding really means, I tell them it’s basically buying peace of mind. It doesn’t give you a fancy seat, but it gives you control over where you sit — and on Southwest, that makes all the difference.