| Boarding group by fare | |
| Choice Extra | Group 1 |
| Choice Preferred | Groups 3-4 |
| Choice | General boarding group |
| Basic | Last to board |
| Getaways by Southwest™ | General boarding group |
Interested in improving your boarding group?
Priority Boarding allows Customers to board ahead of Group 1. This upgrade is available for purchase starting 24 hours before original scheduled departure and can be bought up to 30 minutes prior to original scheduled departure, if available.
Priority Boarding is priced per flight, per Customer.
| Seats by fare | |
| Choice Extra | Choose an Extra Legroom, Preferred, or Standard seat at booking (if available) |
| Choice Preferred | Choose a Preferred or Standard seat at booking (if available) |
| Choice | Choose a Standard seat at booking (if available) |
| Basic | Standard seat assigned for you at check-in or at the departure gate |
| Getaways by Southwest™ | Choose a Standard seat after booking (if available) |
If you do not select a seat in advance (either because you purchased a Basic fare and so aren’t eligible to select a seat or you chose not to select one when booking), a seat will be assigned to you at check-in. If a seat cannot be immediately assigned at check-in, you will see messaging indicating that your seat will be assigned at the gate. You will receive a security document that allows you to go through the security checkpoint. After clearing security, please see a Southwest® Customer Service Agent at the departure gate to receive your seat assignment.
Interested in improving your seat assignment?
If available, Customers can purchase an Extra Legroom, Preferred, or Standard seat. Seat sales end 60 minutes before original scheduled departure on domestic flights and 90 minutes before original scheduled departure on international flights. Seats are available for purchase per person, per flight. A credit card must be used for the purchase of a seat. Please review our optional travel charges for more details.
Learn more about the boarding and seating experiences when traveling with children.
