Out of my Element

I tried to use the search, but couldn't find anything using "through", "seats", or "move" (too common), so apologies if this is well documented already. I also went back a few months into history for a similar thread, so maybe I'm first to ask!

We are flying on SW this coming weekend from SNA to Boston thru BNA. One flight number, so a few questions since we've changed planes before on SW but never had this situation:

1) At T-24 from SNA flight will be be able to get 1 boarding pass? Or 2? We don't have any status and haven't paid for boarding priority. We are fine with a Middle and Window towards the back if that is what we get, but I figure logging in right at the first chance we will at least get that without trouble
2) When we get to BNA, will we have to deplane and get back in line based on that 2nd boarding pass? And if so, I guess we'd take our bags so we stay together with them? Or can we stay onboard and move ourselves and our carryons to a more preferred location before they board the new passengers?

Thanks for the help!

SWAVictor

You will get just one boarding pass per passenger, to board in SNA.
You won't leave the aircraft in BNA (unless something irregular happens, like need to swap an aircraft, etc.) so no need for a boarding pass for that portion.
Typically, you will be asked to remain seated until the flight attendants have walked through the cabin and obtained the "thru count". Once that is completed, they typically make an announcement that its ok to move around the cabin. At that point, you can move yourself and your belongings to another area. Be quick, as boarding will be beginning shortly!

dmbolp

Looks like it's #1295 on Sunday? Only 40 minutes scheduled between landing and departing at BNA, so you won't even have a chance to get off and get back on (barring any IRROPS). How FAs handle this varies. Usually they announce "Thru pax please remain in your seats until the BNA pax deplane and we get a thru head count, then feel free to move around the cabin". Occasionally a rouge FA will announce "please do not move to an Exit row, those are saved for boarding BS pax".

When you check-in you'll get a single boarding pass, as you aren't changing flight #s

NoStressHere

Since you are only "boarding" one aircraft, you only need one boarding pass. If you were connecting to another aircraft, two would be issued when you checked in.

Since you do not leave the plane, no worry about luggage. Anything checked will remain in the hold underneath. Even if you have a connection, your checked bags get transferred without you doing anything.

Out of my Element

Thanks! This all sounds good. It's Saturday, actually, in case anyone wishes to stalk us. We do have a typical connection on the ride back west. Plenty of time to make the connection and plenty of time to worry about our bags making the connection, too!

chessman

I suppose they ought to be red-faced making that sort of announcement.

United804Heavy

I haven't flown a through flight on WN since 2020. I had a stop in MDW (continued on the same plane to my final destination) and we were allowed to deplane and use the restroom, get food, etc, and were allowed back on before general boarding started for the second leg. IIRC, I had to check in with the gate agent as I left the plane to let them know, and they remembered me when I came back on, I didn't have to scan my BP again, and I got to go back on before preboarders for the second flight. Was this a COVID-era precaution (to keep people cooped up in a plane for less time) or are through pax still allowed off at stops?

chessman

Getting off the plane was allowed pre-COVID as well. It largely has to do with how long the stop is.

United804Heavy

Is it still allowed now? On all of my most recent flights, there have always been a few through pax, and in the announcements they make to everyone on the original flight (when I got off) they made no mention of allowing through pax out into the terminal.

joshua362

Its never mentioned IME. But I've done it many, many times over the years. A 45 minute break was the shortest IIRC, at Orlando, and just enough time to grab some pre-made food and hop back on with ID before boarding.

My favorite break was in BWI, waiting out the leg to SLC, when (unbelievably) saw a pilot with a carpet sweeper cleaning up on my way back from the bathroom, I was already entrenched in the exit row. I mentioned how cool it was for him to be helping out and that I was a small plane pilot and he invited me up for a cockpit tour to point out the differences in the jet vs. my Cessna. I got to sit in the left seat and the tour went on well into B boarding. My favorite layover of all time.

BTW, several times I've boarded BS and didn't get the exit row due to throughs. So I sat nearby and moved up during the deplanning process anyway to be sure it was gonna happen. A FA called me out on it once and chuckled...

dmbolp

has there been more than an hour layover?

djp98374

you shoukd not be changing planes.

the crew will ask those thtu passengers to stsy seated to do a count check on thru passengers matching.

after thrn you can move your seats before they start boarding the next flight.

you will noyt be snpble to get off snd on. You can use bathroom.

BUT�..

it�s possible they change crew or planes for the flight�.thus has happened to me�the captain and crew will escort all of you to the new plane If thry do a crew change they might ask you to get off the plane then when new crew comes on you can then board first

Allan38103

Can we change seats at the stop on a 'through flight'?

Yes. you can.

Out of my Element

Thanks for all the reassurances.

When we check in for our return flights which is a normal connection, with two hours between flights, different flight numbers, booked as one journey, can we get both boarding passes at 24 hours prior to the first flight? Or do we have to login twice?

dmbolp

You will get both boarding positions when you check-in for the first flight, since a connection with different flight #, you won't have to check-in a 2nd time for the 2nd flight. Often times this results in a better boarding position on that 2nd flight since you're effectively checking in several hours before T-24. But still behind AL, AL+, EBCI and any other auto check-in types. And will be behind others how are also using that flight as a 2nd flight, but had a longer layover than you, and therefore checked in before you.