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are all the seats on southwest the same size

by Filomena Franecki Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Except for a few standard differences — like more legroom in the exit row — Southwest seats are all the same size. While Southwest uses an open seating arrangement, you’ll have a guaranteed A1-A15 boarding position when you book a Southwest Business Select fare.

With the exception of exit row and bulkhead leg room, virtually all seats on a SW jet are the same. You can find measurements here. So Business Select does not give you a larger seat. For info about how SW fares differ, click here.Jan 8, 2019

Full Answer

Does southwest have larger seats?

2 rows · A standard airplane seat on Southwest and some Delta aircraft are 17.2 inches wide. Some planes, ...

What are the seat sizes on Southwest Airlines?

Jan 08, 2019 · With the exception of exit row and bulkhead leg room, virtually all seats on a SW jet are the same. You can find measurements here. So Business Select does not give you a larger seat. For info about how SW fares differ, click here. The biggest benefits of Business Select fares (IMO) include being able to board first (after medical pre-boards), getting a drink coupon, and …

How do you get the best seat on Southwest Airlines?

It serves as the boundary between seats; the width of the narrowest and widest passenger seats (in inches) is available on our Flying Southwest page. Customers who are unable to lower both armrests and/or who encroach upon any portion of the adjacent seat may proactively book the number of seats needed prior to travel or receive a complimentary additional seat.

Does southwest have extra legroom seats?

Apr 18, 2018 · Southwest only has a single cabin -- all seats are the same. The confusingly named "Business Select" fare is just a full-priced, refundable* fare, that comes with some perks: Guaranteed A1-15 boarding. Be one of the first to board with priority boarding. Pick the seat you want and have room for your carryon bags.

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Oct 19, 2021 · Boeing 737-700. Boeing 737-800. The Best Seats on Southwest Airlines. The Best Seats If You’re Flying With Young Kids. The Best Seat If You’re Really Tall. The Best Seat If You’re a Nervous Flyer. The Best Seat If You’ve Got a Short Connection Time. The Best Seat If You Want an Empty Seat Next To You.

What is the size of Southwest Airlines seats?

Southwest Airlines, whose seats offer the second most room to stretch in the U.S. The all-economy carrier flies a fleet of only Boeing 737 planes, all which sport seating layouts with 32 inches of pitch.Jun 9, 2021

Are Southwest Airline seats smaller?

The new seats Southwest has put on nearly its entire fleet are 31 inches apart, about an inch less than before. In both cases, the airlines were able to add an extra row of six seats to each plane. Southwest went from 137 seats to 143.

What Southwest seats have the most legroom?

If you want legroom

However, if you're on one of Southwest's newer -800 and MAX8 models, then the best seats are in rows 14 and 15.
Apr 24, 2022

Which airline has the smallest seats?

Air Asia has the shortest seat pitch in economy, at 29 inches. Forty years ago, seat pitch was 31 to 35 inches. Seat width was approximately 18.5 inches. Today it's 17 to 17.5 inches.Feb 24, 2020

How do you know if you will fit in an airline seat?

The Best Way of Knowing If You Will Fit in an Airline Seat

So, the best thing you can do before booking your next flight is to find out what type of aircraft you will be flying on and then visit SeatGuru. What is this? SeatGuru lists the seat pitch and seat width for each jet of each airline.
Apr 10, 2022

Which airline has the biggest seats in economy?

Airlines with the Most Seat Space in Economy
  • Jet Blue. Jet Blue is the leader in the “most pitch” and “widest seat” contest because the majority of their economy and coach class seats are roomy. ...
  • Air Canada. ...
  • Virgin America. ...
  • Hawaiian Airlines. ...
  • American Airlines. ...
  • Cathay Pacific. ...
  • Emirates.

How do I pick my seat on Southwest Airlines?

Do I have an assigned seat? Southwest-operated flights have open seating. Once onboard, simply choose any available seat and stow your carryon items in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

Which airline has most comfortable seats?

The 5 Most Comfortable Airlines for Flying Economy
  1. JetBlue. Seat dimensions. Seatback screens. Wifi. Power outlets. ...
  2. Emirates. Seat dimensions. Seatback screens. Wifi. ...
  3. Delta Air Lines. Seat dimensions. Seatback screens. Wifi. ...
  4. Hawaiian Airlines. Seat dimensions. Seatback screens. Wifi. ...
  5. Alaska Airlines. Seat dimensions. Seatback screens. Wifi.
Jul 29, 2021

What is the width of the armrest on a Southwest plane?

The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats; width between the armrests measures 17 inches. The purchase of additional seats serves as a notification to Southwest of a special seating need, and allows us to adequately plan for the number of seats that will be occupied on the aircraft.

How to indicate the number of seats needed in a flight?

In the "Passengers" field, indicate the total number of seats needed by selecting that number of adults. (For example, if one Customer of size requires two seats and is traveling with one other adult in his/her party, select "3 Adults.")

What is the width of the armrest on a seat?

The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats; width between the armrests measures 17 inches.

Where to get a reserved seat document?

Domestic U.S. and International Travel: Customers of size must obtain a Seat Reserved Document from the Customer Service Agent at the Gate to obtain a Reserved Seat Document and Refund Advice Slip for the additional seats purchased.

Can you preboard with extra seat?

Customers of size who have an Extra Seat Boarding document may choose to preboard in order to select seats that best meets their needs or they may choose to board in their boarding group and position.

Can you use seatbelt extensions on Southwest Airlines?

Once onboard the aircraft, if necessary, please request a seatbelt extension from our Flight Attendant. Only one seatbelt extension may be used, and only seatbelt extensions provided by Southwest Airlines are approved for use on board our air craft.

What is business select on a plane?

Business Select only means that you upgrade your boarding pass to get on the plane sooner and get to pick the seat you want before everyone else gets on board. So business select is the boarding groups "A1 - A15".

Does Southwest have a single cabin?

Southwest only has a single cabin -- all seats are the same. The confusingly named "Business Select" fare is just a full-priced, refundable* fare, that comes with some perks: Be one of the first to board with priority boarding. Pick the seat you want and have room for your carryon bags.

Which row of Southwest Airlines has the most legroom?

What rows have the most legroom on Southwest Airlines? If legroom is what you’re after, you’ll want to look for a seat in the first row (the bulkhead) of the aircraft or the exit row. If you’re flying on a Boeing 737-700, the absolute most legroom is in seat 12A which is missing the seat in front of it.

What is the seat number on a Boeing 737?

It’ll be seat 12A on the Boeing 737-700 and seats 16A and 16F on the Boeing 737-800. You need some luck to get this seat. Your chances are determined by your boarding position and the number of Business Select passengers ahead of you (these tend to be seasoned business travelers who know about this seat).

How to get priority boarding on Southwest?

How do you get priority boarding on Southwest? 1 You can purchase a Business Select ticket which will automatically come with an A1-A15 boarding position. 2 You can purchase EarlyBird Check-In which will automatically check you in up to 36 hours ahead of time. 3 You can purchase an upgraded boarding position at the gate if there are spaces available. This will give you an A1-A15 boarding position.

Where do you go after boarding a plane?

After boarding, head towards the back of the plane, and grab a seat that’s about three-quarters of the way back. Once the last people have boarded and are looking for an aisle or window seat, they have a tendency to go towards the back of the plane before admitting defeat and taking a middle seat.

When can you choose an open seat on a plane?

Once you’re on the plane, you can choose any open seat. Your boarding position is based on a few factors: Check-in time:Check in begins 24 hours before your flight is due to depart; the earlier you check in, the better. Type of ticket:Business Select tickets are automatically assigned an A1-A15 boarding position.

Does Southwest Airlines have open seats?

Keep in mind that since Southwest Airlines has open seating, a specific seat is never guaranteed— not even if you have an A1 boarding position (the flight could have passengers that are staying on the aircraft from the previous flight)!

Does Southwest have open seating?

Having the right seat on your flight can sometimes make or break your day (or trip). Unlike other airlines, Southwest has an open seating policy. That means you can choose any open seat on the plane once it’s your turn to board.

What seat does Southwest Airlines have double legroom?

If you’re on a Boeing 737-800, you have a second opportunity to score the legroom jackpot, as this aircraft configuration features a second seat with double the leg room in Seat 12F. But 737-800s only account for about a quarter of Southwest’s fleet, so your best bet is still to gun for 12A.

What does it mean to pick the first seat on a Southwest flight?

On Southwest planes, people tend to pick the first open seat (s) they see, which usually means there are more passengers in the first half of the plane versus the second half. There is also a better chance that the seat next to you will be left open — on a flight that is not full.

How many 737 MAX 8s does Southwest have?

Southwest has 48 Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes, although as of right now they are all grounded. Additional requirements and pilot training will need to be conducted before these planes are back in the air, and as of right now, Southwest estimates that this won’t happen until at least the second quarter of 2021.

How much is Southwest upgrade boarding?

If you just don’t like the number you were assigned, Upgraded Boarding is sometimes available at the airport on the day of departure for $30 to $50 one-way, per person when A1–A15 slots are still available. Even if you don’t want to spend that cash, know that both the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card come with four of these included A1–A15 slots each year (which is why these are some of our favorite Southwest cards for families ).

How long does it take to board a Southwest flight?

Like many other airlines, Southwest begins boarding about 30 minutes before a flight is scheduled to depart. But the similarities largely end there because Southwest’s boarding process is truly unlike that of any other airline.

What row is drink service on Southwest?

Choose Row 1, 9 or 17. Southwest flight attendants split up cabin service into three sections, and these are the typically the rows where drink and snack service begins.

Which side of the plane has the fewer passengers?

The back of the plane, on the other hand, might have fewer passengers. On Southwest planes, people tend to pick the first open seat (s) they see, which usually means there are more passengers in the first half of the plane versus the second half. There is also a better chance that the seat next to you will be left open — on a flight that is not full.

Why do people head straight for the back on Southwest?

Travelers with connecting flights might want to sit in the front in order to make a quick exit, but then there are those who head straight for the back perhaps because they are a family looking for seats together. Some folks head to the back hoping the flight won’t be full and they’ll have a row with an empty middle seat.

Why do frequent flyers complain about Southwest?

Many frequent flyers will complain because Southwest doesn’t seem to have an official policy on this practice. Even if they do, crews don’t consistently do anything about it. I’ve observed that most people don’t care if someone is saving a middle seat next to them when their traveling companion is boarding soon.

What to do if you are late on Southwest?

Once Southwest starts boarding, things happen quickly. If you are running late and have an earlier boarding position, just walk to the front of the line to board. Don’t worry, cutting isn’t rude in this circumstance.

How long before a flight do you check in at Southwest?

If there’s one rule Southwest regulars follow religiously, it’s this: check-in exactly 24 hours before the flight. I sometimes even set an alarm for the exact minute!

What does "good seat" mean?

And of course, a good seat means different things to different people. It’s best to board with a plan! Here are some tricks, tips and strategies so that the dreaded middle seat goes to someone other than you!

When did Southwest add boarding positions?

Southwest decided this wasn’t a good look, and back in the mid-2000s added boarding positions. Now, the lines have numbers and everyone is expected to sort themselves out based on their exact position in line.

When do you set an alarm for Southwest?

I know some Southwest frequent flyers who set an alarm five minutes before check-in opens. They’ll enter all the necessary information on the website to check in and then as soon as the clock ticks 24 hours, they’ll click the button.

How many passengers can you book on Southwest?

You can book one-way or round-trip flights on Southwest.com for up to eight passengers. Simply visit the air booking page and input your travel preferences. Click “Search” to see your options, which are displayed from earliest to latest in the day. You can filter by “nonstop” flight options and by your preferred travel time, ...

How much more is Southwest Business Select than Anytime?

As far as the difference between Southwest Business Select and Anytime fares, we found Southwest Business Select costs on average about 11.5% more than Anytime fares.

What are the most expensive Southwest fare classes?

The two most expensive fare classes — Southwest Business Select and Anytime fares — both have benefits that the folks in Wanna Get Away won’t get: fully refundable tickets (rather than receiving credit for returned tickets as Southwest Travel Funds, which are basically a credit for a future flight), same-day changes and same-day standby.

What are the benefits of Southwest Business Select?

Among the best benefits of Southwest Business Select are an accelerated earnings rate (12 Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent on your airfare), priority boarding, check-in and security lanes (where available), and refundable fares.

What is the fly by security lane?

You also have access to the Fly By security lane, which allows access to designated (and presumably faster) security checkpoints at some airports (see which airports offer Fly By security lane access here).

Is Southwest Business Select the same as First Class?

Southwest Business Select is similar to your conventional airline first class in some ways, but there’s one huge difference: Southwest Business Select doesn’t have designated seats. Except for a few standard differences — like more legroom in the exit row — Southwest seats are all the same size.

Is Business Select a first class flight?

Business Select might be considered by some as a sort of Southwest first class, but you can hardly call it that. There’s no first-class lounge to wait in before takeoff, and you’re still stuck with the same 17-inch-wide seat as everyone else.

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Guidelines For Customers of Size

Phone Booking Instructions

  1. Call Customer Support and Services at (800) I-FLY-SWA (800-435-9792).
  2. Inform the Representative that you are familiar with our Customer of size policy and wish to proactively purchase two seats.
  3. We will offer our lowest fare available. If an advance purchase, discounted fare (i.e., Wanna Get Away Fare) is booked, the second seat will be sold at the same discounted fare.
  1. Call Customer Support and Services at (800) I-FLY-SWA (800-435-9792).
  2. Inform the Representative that you are familiar with our Customer of size policy and wish to proactively purchase two seats.
  3. We will offer our lowest fare available. If an advance purchase, discounted fare (i.e., Wanna Get Away Fare) is booked, the second seat will be sold at the same discounted fare.
  4. If a Customer purchases one of our Anytime or Business Select Fares, the second seat will be sold at the Customer of Size Fare.

Check-In Instructions

  1. Domestic U.S. Travel:Customers of size may check in online or at a Self-Service Check-in kiosk to reserve their boarding positions, but they must see a Customer Service Agent to receive the require...
  2. International Travel: Customers of size who have purchased an extra seat in advance of an international flight can also utilize online check-in ahead of time to secure a boarding positio…
  1. Domestic U.S. Travel:Customers of size may check in online or at a Self-Service Check-in kiosk to reserve their boarding positions, but they must see a Customer Service Agent to receive the require...
  2. International Travel: Customers of size who have purchased an extra seat in advance of an international flight can also utilize online check-in ahead of time to secure a boarding position, and shou...
  3. Domestic U.S. and International Travel:Customers of size must obtain a Seat Reserved Document from the Customer Service Agent at the Gate to obtain a Reserved Seat Document and Refund Advice Slip f...

Boarding and on The Aircraft

  1. Customers of size who have an Extra Seat Boarding document may choose to preboard in order to select seats that best meets their needs or they may choose to board in their boarding group and position.
  2. Once onboard the aircraft, if necessary, please request a seatbelt extension from our Flight Attendant. Only one seatbelt extension may be used, and only seatbelt extensions provided b…
  1. Customers of size who have an Extra Seat Boarding document may choose to preboard in order to select seats that best meets their needs or they may choose to board in their boarding group and position.
  2. Once onboard the aircraft, if necessary, please request a seatbelt extension from our Flight Attendant. Only one seatbelt extension may be used, and only seatbelt extensions provided by Southwest A...

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