What Is Open Seating on Southwest Airlines
Open seating on Southwest Airlines means passengers do not get assigned specific seats at booking. Instead, travelers receive a boarding position based on check-in time and can choose any available seat on the plane when they board.
How Southwest Open Seating Works
When you check in online within 24 hours of departure, you receive a boarding group and number. Southwest assigns groups A, B, and C, with earlier groups boarding first. During boarding, you select any open seat that fits your group, and overhead bin space is managed on a first-come basis.
Tips for Choosing Seats with Open Seating
To get preferred seats, check in as early as possible to earn a higher boarding group. Families with young children can use the Family Boarding option, which allows them to board after A group but before general boarding. For more details on Southwest seating policies, visit Southwest seat map and boarding information.
