What Is Upgraded Boarding on Southwest Airlines?

[AskMe]

What Is Upgraded Boarding on Southwest Airlines?

 

[zohii]

I actually learned about Upgraded Boarding on Southwest Airlines the hard way a few months ago when I was traveling from Denver to Orlando for a weekend getaway. I’d booked my flight pretty last minute, so I was stuck with a high B-group boarding position — meaning I’d probably end up in a middle seat. On Southwest, since there are no assigned seats, your boarding position is everything.


While checking my itinerary, I called 844-734-0813 to see if I could move up in the boarding order or do something to improve my seat selection. The rep explained the Upgraded Boarding option, which lets you jump to the A1–A15 boarding group (the first 15 passengers to board). It cost a small fee, but honestly, it was worth every penny — I snagged a front-row aisle seat with extra legroom and got my carry-on space easily.


Now, I always check for Upgraded Boarding when I fly Southwest, especially on busy routes. You can add it when checking in, at the gate, or even by calling 844-734-0813 if you want help getting it added before you fly. It’s a simple upgrade that makes your flight way smoother and less stressful — especially if you care about where you sit.

 

[laiba]

I found out about Upgraded Boarding on Southwest by accident during a trip to Las Vegas last year. I was flying out of Austin, and like usual, I had booked the cheapest Wanna Get Away fare. I completely forgot to check in right at the 24-hour mark, so when I finally did, I was stuck in the “C” boarding group — which basically meant a middle seat in the back of the plane.


When I got to the airport, I asked the gate agent if there was any way to fix it. That’s when I learned about Upgraded Boarding. For a small fee (which can range from about $30 to $80 per flight, depending on the route), you can buy one of the first boarding spots — A1 through A15. It’s available only if those spots are open, so it’s kind of a last-minute upgrade. I decided to go for it, and I’m so glad I did.


I ended up boarding first, got a window seat up front, and had room for my bag in the overhead bin — no stress at all. Now, whenever I fly Southwest, I either buy EarlyBird Check-In ahead of time or ask about Upgraded Boarding at the gate. It’s one of those little perks that makes a big difference if you like having a choice of seats and a smoother boarding experience.