When can I pick my seat on Southwest Airlines

On Southwest Airlines, the concept of choosing a seat is quite different from most other airlines, because Southwest operates under a unique **open seating policy**〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Unlike airlines that assign passengers specific seats during booking, Southwest does not assign numbered seats ahead of time〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Instead, when you check in for your flight, you are assigned a **boarding group—A, B, or C—and a boarding position** within that group, such as A12 or B27〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Your boarding group and position determine when you can board the aircraft and, therefore, when you have the opportunity to select your seat on a first-come, first-served basis〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Essentially, you “pick your seat” in real time as you board, rather than at the time of booking or check-in〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

The timing of your check-in is the most important factor for determining the seat options available to you〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Southwest check-in opens **exactly 24 hours before your scheduled flight departure**〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Passengers who check in right at this 24-hour mark are usually assigned the lowest-numbered positions in the A group〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** These early A-group passengers have the widest selection of seats available on the plane, including preferred aisle or window seats, seats near the front of the aircraft, and the ability to sit together with family or travel companions〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Boarding later, in the B or C group, reduces your available seat options and may result in middle seats, seats toward the back of the aircraft, or being separated from your travel companions〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** This system makes timing your check-in a key factor in controlling your seat selection〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

For passengers who want to increase their chances of an even better boarding position without having to monitor the exact 24-hour check-in window, Southwest offers **EarlyBird Check-In**〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** EarlyBird automatically checks you in **36 hours before departure**, placing you in a better boarding group and position than most standard check-ins〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** While EarlyBird does not guarantee a specific seat, it does give you a competitive advantage in choosing a seat once boarding begins〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Many travelers who prioritize sitting together with family or who prefer aisle or window seats find EarlyBird especially useful, particularly during peak travel periods when flights are full〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

It is also important to understand the role of **family boarding**〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** On Southwest, families traveling with children six years old or younger are allowed to board **after the A group but before the B group**〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** This gives families an opportunity to sit together, even within the open seating system, but does not allow them to select seats ahead of the early A-group passengers〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** If you are traveling with children, family boarding can help ensure that you have seats together, although your options are still subject to availability at the time you board〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

When you finally board the aircraft, seat selection is completely in your hands〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Open seating means that there is no restriction on which seat you take, except for a few exceptions〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** For instance, exit row seats are limited to passengers who meet federal safety requirements, and Southwest has policies to ensure certain rows are available for accessibility needs〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Otherwise, you may choose any open seat, including aisle, window, or middle seats, and can move around once onboard if space is available〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** The key advantage of early boarding is having the largest number of options to choose from, while late boarders may need to settle for remaining seats further back or separated from companions〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

Another factor to consider when “picking your seat” is **carry-on luggage**〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Southwest allows each passenger to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Early boarders have first access to overhead bin space, which is especially valuable for passengers with larger bags or multiple items〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Boarding later may require passengers to gate-check their carry-ons if overhead bins are full, which can be inconvenient and delay access to belongings upon arrival〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Therefore, boarding position affects not only seat selection but also access to storage space and overall convenience〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**