Southwest Newbie About This Page:

[mama2disneyfan]

I just booked with Southwest for our trip to WDW for January. This our first time. Any advice, suggestions, etc?

We are a family of four with an 8 year old and a 2 year old.

Thanks!

[Sue M.]

Me too! And it looks like we'll be in WDW around the same time! Say hi if you see us!
I just signed up for the Early Bird check in, as we only have a 45 min connection time in Denver so I want to sit as close to the front of the plane as possible for quick exit.
I'll be watching your post for any advice!

[mama2disneyfan]

Great! Where are you staying?
We stop in Nashville on the way down but don't have to change planes.
On the way home we change planes at Midway but have over an hour til the new one takes off.

[Cam22]

We have flown Southwest for several years now and had great experiences each time. and for a terrific flight!

[Luvsun]

I try to fly with Southwest whenever I fly.
If you don't choose to sign up for the Early Bird Check-in (I have never done this), just make sure you sign on 24 hours from your flight to check in and get
A boarding passes.
Hope you enjoy your flight and your trip!

[mama2disneyfan]

Is Southwest not one of the airlines that you can check in through your resort on your return flight?

[5SOXFNZ]

Originally Posted by mama2disneyfan

Is Southwest not one of the airlines that you can check in through your resort on your return flight?

You can check in 24 hours prior to get your boarding pass (whether it's at your resort or another guest relations desk in a park or DTD) however you can not check your luggage at the resort. you will have to take it on the DME yourself back to MCO.

[lighteningqueen]

I too am flying first time on SW or any plane for tht fact. Totally terrified. When we leave MCO on the 16th of Dec to come back home we have a plane change in Houston. We have only 25 minutes to get on the other flight as we arrive at 5:35 pm and leave at 6: pm. I was assured by SW that I can make the change with time. She said that they have to load the luggage and that would give us time plus Hopbby is small and the gates are very close. BUT question is... If I do not sign up for EB and do the 24 hour mark will my A carry over to the second plane or is it that we will ahve to take what we can get? If this plane is going to Dallas then all the people who got their early for their flight will already have all the A's right or do they save some for us that have them from our first flight?? Do I make any sense??? Paying 20.00 for the two of us on the return, just doesnt seem they can save seats for us getting on that flight for our last leg home

[chezp]

We love Southwest, they're a great airline. We're giving the Early Bird Check-in a try on our next flight with them in December.

[Nani]

Originally Posted by lighteningqueen

I too am flying first time on SW or any plane for tht fact. Totally terrified. When we leave MCO on the 16th of Dec to come back home we have a plane change in Houston. We have only 25 minutes to get on the other flight as we arrive at 5:35 pm and leave at 6: pm. I was assured by SW that I can make the change with time. She said that they have to load the luggage and that would give us time plus Hopbby is small and the gates are very close. BUT question is... If I do not sign up for EB and do the 24 hour mark will my A carry over to the second plane or is it that we will ahve to take what we can get? If this plane is going to Dallas then all the people who got their early for their flight will already have all the A's right or do they save some for us that have them from our first flight?? Do I make any sense??? Paying 20.00 for the two of us on the return, just doesnt seem they can save seats for us getting on that flight for our last leg home

It's my understanding that you'll get boarding passes for your flight and the connecting one. I'd call SW to double check.

My tip for SW (unless u are connecting) is to sit in the 3rd or 4th to last row. Its closer to the washrooms and less people want to be that far back. So more chance to have nobody next to you = a little more space.

[lighteningqueen]

I got panicky and went ahead and paid for the early bird both ways. i know waste of $40.00 maybe....... but she said I would get 2 different boarding passes for the return and that conecting flight and that they usually board 15 minutes prior to leaving. So they way i figure this is that I have 10 minutes to get off the MCO to Hobby flight to get to the Hobby Dallas flight.. It makes me feel better although she said it does not confirm a A seating. Only because we do not know how many people have checked or bought into it as of now. Also you cannot find out what boarding number you have until the 24 hour mark. They assign at the 36 hour mark and then you cna print out anytime after the 24 hour mark. I think I understand. So anyone wondering this came from the reps mouth at SW. Hobby is a very small 2 wing airport which by the way I printed out the map so no wondering where or which way do we turn when we get off the first flight.

[Simba's Mom]

Originally Posted by Nani

It's my understanding that you'll get boarding passes for your flight and the connecting one. I'd call SW to double check.

My tip for SW (unless u are connecting) is to sit in the 3rd or 4th to last row. Its closer to the washrooms and less people want to be that far back. So more chance to have nobody next to you = a little more space.

Unless Southwest has changed their policy lately, yes, you will get all your boarding passes when you check in for the first flight, even though it's more than 24 hours from the flight you connect to. You get all boarding passes for your itinerary at the same time. I've flown Southwest lots of times with connecting flights. Coincidently, all my connecting flights have been thru Hobby also, and yes, it is a small airport. One time I got off the first flight, only to find out that my next flight was at the next gate. Tomorrow I fly Southwest (waiting for my 24 hours so I can check in) and it's one of the first times I don't change planes. Really enjoying the thought of getting on and resting.

[saxgirl2003]

SWA is awesome.

We flew them in sept. We were in Agroup both ways but since my mom is handicapped we got on first.


U'll love SWA. B sure to check in 24 hrs b4 flight.

[lighteningqueen]

Originally Posted by Simba's Mom

Unless Southwest has changed their policy lately, yes, you will get all your boarding passes when you check in for the first flight, even though it's more than 24 hours from the flight you connect to. You get all boarding passes for your itinerary at the same time. I've flown Southwest lots of times with connecting flights. Coincidently, all my connecting flights have been thru Hobby also, and yes, it is a small airport. One time I got off the first flight, only to find out that my next flight was at the next gate. Tomorrow I fly Southwest (waiting for my 24 hours so I can check in) and it's one of the first times I don't change planes. Really enjoying the thought of getting on and resting.

So then how long is it between those gates/ Time wise? Si also guess that I can print out that EB seating 24 hours prior to leaving from Dallas and then again 24 hours prior to leaving MCO. So not all my assignments will have all the seating times?