Southwest Airlines Boarding Groups - A Complete Guide
- grouptravelairline
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read

Southwest Airlines shapes air journeys with an approach that feels affordable and well-planned. Moreover, the airline offers several travel features, including an organized boarding process. This arrangement works differently by maintaining a clear order at airport gates. Moreover, Southwest boarding groups are printed clearly on the passengers' boarding passes, which are issued upon check-in. These groups focus on maintaining comfort and balance during cabin entry. Because of this, the journey carries a relaxed and steady feel early on. Travelers who are willing to gather more details about the boarding groups of Southwest can go through the subheading provided below.
How Does Southwest Boarding Group Work?
Southwest Airlines offers several organized travel features, each working in its own way. Among these, the boarding group process plays a key role at the airport. These boarding groups Southwest aids in managing passengers without confusion or crowding. The details on how the boarding flow works are explained below.
Book a Southwest flight and finish the check-in process.
After check-in, a boarding group appears on the ticket.
Passengers under the same booking usually receive the same group.
Boarding information shows on digital screens near the gate.
Travelers board the aircraft when their group is called.
What Is the Order of Boarding Groups for Southwest?
Southwest boards passengers in a fixed order decided by the ticket type. This order explains who boards early and who boards at the end. Additionally, each traveler is placed into a specific boarding group after booking. Moreover, the Southwest boarding groups order remains clear, as they are called one by one at the airport gate. On top of that, the sequence always moves from early access to general boarding. Below, the boarding groups are shown in the exact order they are called.
Pre-Boarding group:
This group includes flyers with disabilities, active U.S. military personnel and passengers with priority boarding.
Groups 1-2:
Passengers flying on Choice Extra fares board in this range.
Travelers holding extra legroom seats or approved upgrades are also placed here.
Groups 3-5:
Choice Preferred fare flyers are assigned to these groups.
Rapid Rewards members with A-List status are also included in this range.
Groups 5-8:
Passengers traveling on Choice fares board during this phase.
The airline also includes Rapid Rewards cardholders with Choice or Base fares here.
Last group:
Passengers flying on Basic fares board at the end.
What Does Priority Boarding Mean with Southwest Airlines?
Priority boarding is a paid offering that could be used to board early on Southwest flights. Moreover, flyers with these offerings also get benefits to pick the seats and access overhead bins. More than that, priority boarding can either be included with certain tickets or bought separately 24 hours prior to departure and up to 30 min prior to scheduled departure. It reduces waiting time compared to standard boarding groups. Overall, once the priority group is called, flyers step onto the aircraft ahead of others.
How Do I Know My Boarding Group on Southwest Airlines?
Boarding groups are most likely to become visible after check-in. This detail is attached to Southwest flight information automatically. Moreover, one can notice it on the boarding pass, whether digital or printed. Apart from that, the same Southwest boarding positions usually apply to passengers traveling under one booking. As boarding time comes closer, the gate displays also reflect this information. This way, one knows exactly when it is their turn to move forward.
How Do I Get Group A on Southwest?
Southwest Airlines used to assign passengers to Group A for early boarding. Now, those passengers are included in the earliest numbered boarding groups. Passengers with Choice Extra fares or extra-legroom seats are generally placed here. Other than that, this Southwest Airlines boarding groups is also given to frequent flyers with A-List status. So, getting Group A means being in the first boarding group based on fare, seat, and loyalty level.
Conclusion
In conclusion, passengers can now clearly see how Southwest Airlines manages boarding. Understanding the order and flow of boarding groups reduces confusion at the gate. Details like fare type, seat choice, and priority options influence when a traveler boards. So, being aware of these steps guides everyone to move in a calm and organized way. Also, when one knows their boarding group, they can begin their journey without stress and keep the start relaxed.




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