nsx

Southwest doesn't promise an A for A-list, let alone for Early Boarding. Your expectations are unrealistic.

But there's good news. B10 will get you an aisle or window in the front 2/3 of the plane. The front half if it's a 737-800 or MAX8. If you want more than that, buy the overpriced A1-15 upgrade or the even more overpriced Business Select.

Please report your seating results here.

abk

5 posts since 2007 doesn't sound like a chronic complainer.

Boraxo

The probem is that WN deliberately avoids managing expectations. If they told people "on popular flights EBCI might result in a B-list boarding card" then sales might tank. Because infrequent WN flyers and those without more recent data naturally assume that paying $$ will get you into the A group. And of course that is normally the experience on less crowded flights (where you probably didn't need to buy it anyway).

RoadWarrior200

The May 9 Wall Street Journal has devoted more than half a page along with graphics regarding the boarding and pre-boarding issues at WN: "Southwest's Pre-boarding Line Is Out of Control," https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel...71a88a5?page=1.

uastarflyer

Short haul routes sans connection and CP are the only values remaining. Paying $40 extra for a B20 on a fare that�s no better than others is really underwhelming.

FlightNurse

I can't entirely agree, I need to fly to PHX-FAT, WN fare $239 RT, DL$570, AA $900. even with EBCI my total fare is far less than both airlines. Granted the AA flight is Non-Stop, but my company's travel policy does not allow me to book AA.

Cledaybuck

Then don't pay the $40, it isn't required. All the seats are pretty much the same anyway, with a few exceptions.

Boraxo

Exactly. I never pay it except when family is flying (we buy 1) or for a midcon. For one hour flight I can tolerate a middle seat.

zachary

And your chances of getting a middle seat if you check in at T-24 (or even T-20) are very low.

Herb687

Ref the original post in this thread: I have several friends who went to WN revenue management. I was told years ago by my friends not to bother with Early Bird Check-in because, even back then (pre-COVID), tons of people pay for EBCI.

Now, practical question: I have a Business Select ticket for a flight next week. Do I have to do anything to activate EBCI on my Business Select ticket or can I just wait and get my boarding pass at the airport right before the flight having already been auto-checked in by EBCI without any action on my part?

How are A1-A15 numbers prioritized by EBCI if it's all automated? Time of ticket purchase? Fare paid? Status?

Apologies for the newbie questions but I only fly WN about once every other year or so.

FlightNurse

No, just like business class passenger doesn't have to do anything to activate lounge access

rayfes

Recently flew AUS-TPA,,checked in at T-24 and received B36. While lined up to board the GA announced that only middle seats were left and to take one near the front of the plane to speed up the boarding process. I did that and a few min after later an announcement was made on the plane that there were a few aisle seats available at the rear of the aircraft. There were people in the aisle still boarding so I didn't bother to try to move back there. Mildly annoying but my flight was on time which was much more important.

I'd originally booked a one-way first class ticket on AA for $240 but they dropped the route and I didn't want to connect so I paid $193 to Southwest to get there non-stop.

joshua362

Well known to experienced SW flyers that they will "lie" about the load and seats left when they are pretty full and trying for an on-time departure. Can't say I blame them, waiting for "spinners" to get seated can be time consuming. I always check the boarding screen, adding BP's issued to Thrus, to get the most accurate story

FlightNurse

I have noticed that the GA will make announcements to help speed up boarding, I did a same-day change, to an earlier flight, I got the dreaded high C boarding group, the GA was making announcements about full bins and I gate-checked my bag when I got on board there where plenty of open Bin space. I have also noticed if its a new MAX plane they always more space because of the bigger bins.

rayfes

I'm not faulting them for doing this to speed up the boarding process, but I'll be a little skeptical in the future. I've heard every carrier I've been on recently state that the flight is full and to take your seats immediately in cases where there are several empty seats.

How does one determine the number of BPs issued to thrus?