Southwest Airlines Check-In Policy

admin | May 11, 2022 | Flight Policy | No Comments

Southwest Airlines check-in allows you to complete the check-in process, seat assignment, and boarding pass issuance. Passengers can have the link emailed to them at their registered email address. All you have to do now is show the boarding pass barcode on your device’s screen at the security checkpoint, check your luggage at the Southwest Airlines desk, and board the plane.

Customers can also use the Southwest Airlines mobile app to check in for flights and retrieve their boarding passes on over 78 different airlines — passengers must be connecting from Southwest Airlines to a flight on one of the participating airlines. Check-in for Southwest Airlines flights begins 24 hours before the planned departure. Check-in, luggage check-in, and boarding times may differ depending on your departure airport and destination. Passengers must take the following precautions before leaving:

Check with the Southwest Airlines customer service centre to determine if you are eligible for a Southwest check-in slot at that time.
Passengers should read the airport authority’s rules and other important information to determine what time they should arrive at the airport.
The Southwest check-in mobile app is your digital executive assistant, allowing travellers to check in, see flight status, and complete the check-out procedure.

Order of Southwest Boarding

Depending on the location and trip type, Southwest Airlines begins boarding 30-50 minutes prior to the planned departure. Check-in for Southwest Airlines closes 10 minutes before departure. If a person fails to board, the airlines will reassign the individual’s seat. Once the plane doors are shut, the Southwest boarding time runs out. Passengers should be aware of the following Southwest boarding groups:

Southwest Boarding Group	Southwest Boarding pass type
Group A (Southwest Military Boarding)	Active duty U.S. military with military I.D.
Group B	Business Select Fare members
Group 3	Anytime Fare members
Group D	Wanna Get Away Fare members Travelers who bought Southwest Early Bird Check-in & Priority boarding members

Check-In for Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines passengers must use their six-digit PNR number to complete their check-in and reserve their desired seat. Web check-in for Southwest Airlines flights begins 48 hours before departure and ends 10 minutes before departure for all grades of service. The Southwest Airlines boarding card and receipt will be sent to the passenger’s registered mail ID after check-in using a mobile app or the Southwest Airlines website.

30 minutes before the scheduled departure – Passengers may board up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. It is recommended that you arrive at the gate area no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
10 minutes before flight departure – All passengers must receive a Southwest boarding card and arrive at the gate area for Southwest boarding at least 10 minutes before the flight’s scheduled departure time. If not, the airline may revoke the reserved seat, and travellers will not be eligible for rejected boarding compensation, according to Southwest Airlines check-in procedures.
If passengers do not intend to travel — According to Southwest check-in rules, customers who do not intend to fly on any flight segment of their itinerary can cancel their reservation at least 10 minutes before to the flight’s scheduled departure. Passengers who fail to cancel for the Wanna Get Away fare flight segment at least 10 minutes before the planned departure of the aircraft will be marked as no-shows, forfeiting their remaining Wanna Get Away money balance. The fare value would be changed into a reusable travel credit for the initially ticketed passenger solely in the event of Business Select and Anytime Fare.

Southwest Early Bird Registration

Passengers can use automatic Southwest Airlines early bird check-in for 50 USD per person, which allows them to get better boarding positions and access to overhead bins earlier. Early-bird services can be purchased for 50 USD to 100 USD one-way per passenger, according to Southwest Airlines check-in regulation.
Among the features are the following:

Southwest Automatic check-in — The confirmed boarding position will be offered on a first-come-first-serve basis whether the traveller prints a Southwest boarding pass the day before or hours before the planned departure. Southwest allows passengers to print boarding tickets as the schedule allows.
Better boarding position — Southwest airline check-in will automate the entire check-in process and assign boarding positions 36 to 12 hours before Southwest priority boarding positions become available. Early check-in with Southwest does not guarantee an A boarding spot. As a result, it assists passengers in obtaining preferred seating, allowing them to select their preferred seat on the plane.
Be the first to get your hands on the overhead bins – Have too much hand luggage? Don’t be concerned! You have a lot of space at your disposal. Passengers using Southwest’s premium boarding can choose from available overhead bin space.

What is the procedure for checking in for a Southwest flight?

The Southwest Airlines flight check-in process begins 48 hours before the scheduled departure flight and ends 2 hours before the scheduled departure flight. Are you unsure how to proceed with the Southwest check-in procedure? You may complete your Southwest flight check-in using the following methods:

Southwest Airlines Check-in Online

Passengers can check their bags ahead of time, select preferred seats, choose meal options, request Southwest Airlines print boarding passes, and much more with Southwest online check-in. Travelers in wheelchairs, unaccompanied minors, and newborns are not eligible to check in online with Southwest Airlines. International passengers are not permitted to check in on Southwest Airlines flights. Even when the web check-in process is completed, Southwest Airlines reservations can be cancelled up to 2 hours before the planned departure.

Here are the steps to completing the Southwest Airlines online check-in process:

Click on the Southwest check-in web site at southwest.com. You’ll be taken to the official Southwest Airlines check-in page.
To check in for your flight, provide the passenger information – PNR confirmation, First Name, and Last Name.
To continue, click the Check-in button.
To confirm your Southwest seat, fill out the Southwest seat check-in form.
The boarding card for Southwest Airlines would be available online. Passengers have the option of printing their Southwest boarding card immediately or later, as well as having the boarding pass sent to their registered email address.

Kiosk for Southwest Check-in

How do I use the Southwest kiosk to check-in?
Southwest Airlines’ self-check-in kiosks are available at all airports across the United States, allowing travellers to complete their Southwest check-in request and acquire a boarding card from the kiosk machine. This facility is available for domestic as well as international flights. Before check-in closes, travellers who have baggage to deposit should approach Southwest Airlines flight management at the counter. The following is a step-by-step guide to completing Southwest check-in at the kiosks:

Find a Southwest automatic check-in kiosk machine — the Southwest Airlines website should provide directions.
Provide the photo ID details/number you used when booking your Southwest flight, as well as the confirmation PNR of your reservation.
Passengers can choose their seat on the plane at the Southwest check-in kiosk machine, or the airlines can assign seats to them automatically.
Take out your Southwest boarding pass because you’ll need it to board the plane.

Southwest Curbside Check-in

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Southwest Airlines offers curbside check-in at several airports across the United States for passengers with confirmed airline reservations who are only flying with hand bags. At select airports, passengers can also use the City check-in service. Southwest offers curbside check-in hours at several international airports across the United States 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The following airports offer curbside check-in:

Chicago, IL — Southwest Airlines curbside check-in at Midway Airport
Southwest curbside check-in hours are 12:00 AM to 22:00 PM in Denver.
Dallas, TX- Curbside check-in at Dallas Love Field Southwest
BWI Curbside Check-in Southwest, Baltimore, PA
Southwest Airlines curbside check-in in Phoenix, Arizona
San Diego, CA — Southwest Airlines curbside check-in

Mobile App for Southwest Check-in

The Southwest mobile check-in app will be available on the PlayStore, allowing customers to not only complete their Southwest check-in for their flight, but also to select their preferred seat on board, check time table information, and contact centre information. On Android devices, a Southwest mobile boarding pass would be available after check-in. On codeshare flights, the Southwest mobile app check-in is not available.

Check-in at Southwest Airport

How do I check in with Southwest at the airport? The procedure of handing over checked baggage to the passenger at the airport is known as airport check-in. They would be given a Southwest print boarding pass in exchange before proceeding with the onboarding process. Passengers must be at the airport at least 2 hours ahead to the scheduled departure time to complete the Southwest Airlines check-in process. The following procedure will assist you in completing the Southwest Airlines airport check-in:

Southwest’s check-in counters

Passengers can find check-in information for their flights on a specific information board once they arrive at the airport. Southwest Airlines airport check-in needed desks, which are normally located near the bag drop-off area, also include the necessary information. Here’s how to do it step by step:

For your scheduled flight, locate the proper Southwest airport check-in gate.
Keep your travel documentation close to hand, such as your passport, government-issued photo ID, Southwest Airlines reservation code, or a printer copy of your ticket.
Passengers will be requested to provide the documentation indicated above at Southwest aircraft check-in desks, after which they can hand over their checked baggage, which will be weighed and then sent to the plane.
Passengers will receive a boarding pass after showing their travel documentation and completing Southwest check-in luggage weight requests.
Passengers should continue to the security checkpoint after completing the Southwest Airlines check-in request.
Passengers can proceed to the boarding gate where they will board the plane after passing through security. The boarding hours for Southwest would be listed on the boarding card. Southwest Airlines will make an announcement during boarding to alert passengers that they may board the plane.

Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest’s Check-in Policy (FAQs)

What is the procedure for Southwest boarding?

Is it worth it to check in early with Southwest?

Yes, Southwest Airlines Early Bird check-in is a low-cost alternative that allows travellers to check in automatically before the traditional 24-hour check-in period. Passengers have the advantage of being able to board early. Passengers who check in early for Southwest have a greater chance of getting a seat and have earlier access to the overhead luggage storage area for carry-on items.

Southwest Airlines has how many boarding groups?

Southwest Airlines check-in has four boarding groups (A, B, C, and D) and boarding spots ranging from 1 to 60. The boarding pass will reflect the unique Southwest boarding groups and positions, indicating a reserved seat in the boarding group at the gate. Each group’s numbered post for the gate sections indicates where to line up. You’ll be requested to board the plane in numerical order with your Southwest boarding group when your Southwest boarding group is announced.

How can I print a Southwest Airlines boarding pass?

Passengers can view or download the Southwest boarding card in a few simple steps after completing the Southwest Airlines check-in process. Simply go to southwest.com and fill out the relevant fields with Southwest Airlines’ booking PNR, First name, and Last name. We recommend printing or downloading the document and bringing it with you when you arrive at the airport for your scheduled departure.

When can I make my Southwest flight check-in?

Southwest Airlines passengers must complete their check-in in order to book their desired seat using their six-digit PNR number. Passengers can board up to 30 minutes before their planned departure time. It is recommended that you arrive at the gate area no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

What is the earliest you may check in for a Southwest flight?

Web check-in for Southwest Airlines flights begins 48 hours before departure and ends 10 minutes before departure for all grades of service. The Southwest Airlines boarding card and receipt will be sent to the passenger’s registered mail ID after check-in using a mobile app or the Southwest Airlines website.

What is the procedure for checking in for my Southwest flight?

Are you unsure how to proceed with the Southwest check-in procedure? To finish your Southwest flight check-in, you can use one of the following methods:

Southwest Airlines Check-in Kiosk Southwest Airlines Check-in Online
Check-in at the curb Southwest Check-in Mobile App
Check-in at Southwest Airport

How does Southwest’s early bird check-in work?

Southwest automatic check-in
Better boarding position
Be the first to get your hands on the overhead bins.

Do you have mobile boarding passes for Southwest Airlines?

Yes, Southwest Airlines provides passengers with access to a mobile boarding pass, a digital document that allows passengers to get through security and board the plane using only their smartphone. Using a Southwest mobile boarding pass is simple and straightforward; all you have to do is:

Check in with Southwest Airlines at least 60 minutes before your flight.
To access the ‘Boarding’ Pass, open the Southwest Airlines mobile app and touch the ‘Boarding’ Pass button.
Save the Southwest boarding pass to your phone.
At security and during boarding, show your e-boarding pass.

How can I use the Southwest kiosk to check in?

The following is a step-by-step guide to completing Southwest check-in at the kiosks:

Find a Southwest automatic check-in kiosk machine — the Southwest Airlines website should provide directions.
Provide the photo ID details/number you used when booking your Southwest flight, as well as the confirmation PNR of your reservation.
Passengers can choose their seat on the plane at the Southwest check-in kiosk machine, or the airlines can assign seats to them automatically.
Take out your Southwest boarding pass because you’ll need it to board the plane.

Related Southwest Airlines Policies:

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