Flying with Southwest Airlines for the First Time: A Beginner's Guide
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- Опубликовано: 5 июн 2024
- Are you a first time flyer with Southwest Airlines? Don’t worry, I have you covered. In this video, I will take you through everything you need to know before your first flight. From the time you book your ticket all the way through the unique way Southwest does their boarding process. A special welcome for those of you with Angel Flight! I hope you find this video helpful to you.
This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I receive a small commission.
📔 Show Notes and Resources📔
Timecodes:
0:00 Intro
0:53 How to find your confirmation number
1:23 Luggage types and size requirements plus the 3-1-1 rule
4:12 Different ways you can check-in for your flight
4:47 Importance of checking in 24 hours before your flight
5:52 How to check-in for your flight using the app
8:00 How to digitally check your luggage
8:32 How to check-in for your flight on the website and get your boarding pass
10:35 Preparing to go to the Airport
11:59 Requesting Special Assistance
13:07 How early to arrive at the airport
13:38 How to use the Southwest Airline's kiosk and check your bags
15:54 What to expect when going through TSA security
17:38 Southwest boarding process
To learn more about Angel Flight, check them out at www.angelflightcentral.org/
Southwest Airlines Website: www.southwest.com/
REAL ID Information: www.dhs.gov/real-id
Here are some of my other videos that will be helpful in preparing for your trip.
1️⃣ The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Luggage Types and What to pack in Each 👉 • The Ultimate Beginner’...
2️⃣ Airport Security Basics: What you need to Take Off when Going through Security 👉 • Airport Security Basic...
3️⃣ Airport Security Basics: What to Take out of Your Bag 👉 • Airport Security Basic...
4️⃣ Everything you Need to Know About TSA PreCheck 👉 • Everything You Need To...
5️⃣ How to Get Through TSA if you Lost or Forgot Your ID 👉 • How to Get Through TSA...
6️⃣ TSA Rules for Medical Items and Devices 👉 • TSA Rules for Medical ...
7️⃣ How to Navigate an Airport for the First Time: Beginner's Guide 👉 • How To Navigate Your F...
8️⃣ TSA Rules for Food: What Can I Bring onto the Plane 👉 • TSA Rules For Food: Wh...
9️⃣ Tips for Packing Toiletries and Medication 👉 • Tips for Packing Toile...
Beginner's Guides for First Time Flyers 👉 • Beginner Guides for Fi...
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About: In this video, Ben walks you through step by step the entire process for a Southwest Airlines Flight. From the time you book your ticket, all the way through the boarding process. Learn about the size and weight requirements for luggage, how to read and receive your boarding pass, how to use the kiosk and how the boarding process works.
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Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Let me know what questions I can help answer.
Hi! Thanks for the video. I will be flying with my 2 children and have paid for our tickets all together. When I check in 24 hours before the flight will my pass be for all 3 of us? Or will it be 3 separate passes? Thanks
@@jjmjblessed1179 as long as you have the same confirmation number for all 3 tickets you will receive all 3 boarding passes at the same time. Otherwise, you will have to check in separately if you have different confirmation numbers.
What if there are multiple people in my group for the same flight. Do we each have to check in or will it all check in if one of us does?
Also, for digital boarding, will I just have them scan my pass, then switch it to my sons?
@@Tmama84 As long as everyone is on the same reservation just one of you has to check-in. I think it will ask you who you want to check in and then you will just select everyone in your group.
For digital boarding passes. Once your boarding pass is scanned then you will just switch to the next one to get scanned.
I already checked in for my flight via the app. I depart after two days, so would I have to check in again 24hrs for my flight even if I have the same confirmation number?
And thank you for the video it was incredibly helpful!
I am so glad I watched this video. It's very clear on procedures and is much better than the assorted emails Southwest sends out in the days after you make your reservation and again in the days before your flight. This video makes it all very logical.
Glad it was helpful!
Just wanted to say THANKYOU SO MUCH for making this video. I dont fly that often and have never flown Southwest. I will soon be taking my first flight with Southwest. Your video covered everything. GOD BLESS
I appreciate the kind words! Safe travels!
Another great informative video. Thank you. 👍
My pleasure!
Thank you Ben! This is such a wonderful videos for our passengers flying Southwest to their far away medical appointments!
It was my pleasure to make the video! Just grateful to be able to help in some way.
the section on boarding was very helpful. thanks
Glad to hear that!
Great video, very informative, I'm flying Southwest for the first time in a few months and it answered a lot of questions, many thanks!
So glad you found it helpful! Safe travels!
What a helpful video! I've flown Southwest a long time ago but will be doing it solo this year so this really came in handy. Thank you!
I appreciate it! Glad you found the video helpful!
great video!! flying southwest for the first time tomorrow, and this was very helpful. thank you!
Awesome! Glad the video was helpful! Safe travels tomorrow.
This was awesome! Really helps with the anxiety over my 1st flight coming up soon!!!
So happy to hear that! I am glad the video was able to help relieve some anxiety for you. Enjoy your first flight!
Thank , thank you , thank you. Only second time flying to the states and first flight with South West. You have helped me so much . I was so intimidated. This video is a big help. I will be watching it again. 🇨🇦♥️
Great to hear! Glad the video was helpful to you!
I’ve only flown once before and I’m about to fly Southwest with my 2 kids. I really appreciate all this info! 🙏🏼 so useful! Thank you!
So great to hear! I am glad the video was helpful to you! Safe travels!
this has been really helpful!!
So glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for sharing. My first time on Southwest is soon.
Great! Enjoy the flight and safe travels!
So helpful!
Big THANK YOU here as well. I used to travel regularly, but for business and never flew Southwest. Now that I'm retired, I rarely fly. We are flying tomorrow on Southwest and I didn't know what to expect. This video was super helpful. Thanks again!!
So happy you found the video helpful! Safe travels tomorrow!
@@BenDreamVacations We got back from our trip a couple of days ago. One the return leg, we got in line with our boarding group. A few minutes later, a lady comes along the line asking each person what their number was. She was B4 and told every person that had a higher number that she was B4 and thus entitled to get in front of them. I thought of your video and had a good laugh.
Thanks for the video. I think that people who fly Southwest all the time forget how different it is from other airlines. You can debate good or bad but it's different. Now that we're working on getting a companion pass we will be flying them a lot more. Thanks for the run-through.
Glad you found the video helpful and yes, Southwest is a very different airline.
I don’t typical comment on videos, but I have to thank you for doing such an awesome job with your thorough walk through here. 👏
Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Glad you found the video helpful.
Quite Informative.
Dude, thank you so much. I got a flight to Nashville. Cheers
Glad I could help!
Outstanding video 👏🏾
Very thorough and straight to the point which always makes for a great video.
Random question: Have you ever seen one of the flight agents move a passenger to the side for trying to skip the line? Meaning, someone in boarding group C trying to board with group A in order to get a seat.
Thank you! I appreciate it! Glad you found the video helpful.
To answer your question. Yes, I have seen people try and board in the A or B group when they have been assigned in the C group and most of the time the gate agents will tell them to step aside and wait until their boarding group is called.
Thank you! I recently renewal my passport since it was 9 months away from expire. I done it early so I can have a clean safe trip to oversea
Way to be on top of it! Great job!
@@BenDreamVacations Thank you so much!
Thank you! 🙏❤️
This video has relieved so much of my anxiety. I did the early bird, and so i dont have to check in 24 hours early, i caught that, but what about bag check in prior to arrival? How much earlier do we get to board the plane. This is stressing me out 😂
If you are going to be checking a bag, I would still get to the airport 2 hours early. The lines for the kiosk can be rather long sometimes depending on the airport and time of day. Since you did the early bird check-in you will most likely be in the A group. I think there has only been one time where I did early bird and received a boarding position in the B group. If you end up in the A group you will have good seats and you will be ahead of most people boarding the plane. The boarding process goes rather quick, maybe 25 minutes to board everyone in all 3 groups.
I fly swa often for years. Very easy to navigate and great service.
Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
Thank you!
My pleasure!
Thanks so much for this video. I needed it! Regarding TSA pre-check, can you do a video about TSA Cares too? What’s the difference, is there a separate line or do they move you to the front of the standard line?
So glad you found the video helpful! I can do a video about TSA Cares. That program is really about assisting passengers with disabilities or medical conditions. It doesn't get you through security faster like TSA precheck or get you to the front of the line. You will still have to go through the standard TSA line unless you have TSA precheck.
Thank you so much!!
You're welcome!
Thank you so much
My pleasure!
thank you so much
You're welcome!
Thank you so much for making this video. I am flying with Southwest from Sacramento to Columbus for the first time in September and this answered a lot of my questions. I am glad to learn that if I check a bag it will automatically be transferred to my connecting flight (I was worried about the layover time/getting my bags, etc. in between the two flights). I didn't know they did that! I am feeling more at ease about my first flight in probably a decade :)
Also, If I add the early bird, does it automatically apply it to my connecting flight?
So glad you found the video helpful! Early bird does not automatically apply to the connecting flight. You will have to select Early bird for your connecting flight as well if you want it for both flights to Columbus. Safe travels!
Thanks for the video! Question regarding connecting flights. If your first SW flight is delayed and arrives late, causing you to miss the connection. What happens to you and your checked luggage?
You will get rebooked on the next available flight along with your luggage. If you know that you will miss your connecting flight before your first flight departs then go ahead and get your next flight rebooked either through the website or app or with the gate agent.
Can you put a laptop that's inside a regular laptop bag (not a laptop sleeve) inside a personal bag or would they consider that as an "extra (personal) bag" ....???
Yes, you can put your laptop bag inside your personal bag. As long as everything can fit in one bag you are good to go.
Also my daughter has inhalers that she needs, do i need a prescription to bring these? Should all electronics including chargers and hair tools be in my cary on?
You don't need a prescription for inhalers but you will just need to let the TSA agents know that you have them and they may inspect them separately. Most electronics can go in your checked luggage but if you are taking anything cordless like a hair straightener that have rechargeable lithium batteries in them then you will need to either pack it in your checked bag with the batteries removed or carry the whole thing in your carry-on. The batteries either way need to end up in your carry-on.
Great video. I may be a first time flyer of Southwest Airlines. Do you know anything about booking & flying with a pet?
Yes, Southwest allows small cats and dogs that are able to fit under the seat on a first come first serve basis. They allow a max of 6 pets per flight and they charge a $125 fee each way. The pets do need to be in a carrier that meets a certain size requirements. You can find more information at the following link 👉 www.southwest.com/pets/
Yo! I'm only 22, and this is my first time flying alone and only my second time EVER flying somewhere on a commercial airliner so I've been extremely nervous and stressed. Your video definitely helped me get rid of a few of those worries. I was so concerned it was going to be such a complicated process! Glad it won't be. If you have any other pointers for me I'll gladly take any advice you can offer 🙏
Glad the video was helpful to you! Since you are new to flying just make sure you get to the airport early especially if you are going to be checking an bags. At least 2 hours or more to make sure you have enough time to get checked in and get through security. Safe travels!
@@BenDreamVacations thanks so much!
I have an connecting flight was unsure of how to get my second boarding pass. This video has calmed my nerves. Unsure of how to pack my medication. Does it go in a quart size bag or can I just put it in my bag?
Medication can just go in your bag but just make sure it is easily accessible. If you are carrying any liquid medication you will need to tell the TSA agent that you have it so they can screen it separately.
@@BenDreamVacations Thank you
Thank you for this video! A little confused on the size for a carry on. The Southwest Airlines website says:
Your carryon can be no bigger than 24” (L) + 16” (W) + 10” (H). If it’s bigger than those dimensions, it will need to be checked.
But the image you showed shows the measurements differently. Or are they the same?
Southwest has their measurements as if the carry-on were on its side because that is the position the carry-on will be in when its loaded in the overhead bin. My image has the carry-on standing up but the measurements are still the same either way. Good question!
@@BenDreamVacations Thank you!! Make sense now
Never flown with Southwest before. Thank you for this video. It was very informative. However, I have a couple of questions. I am leaving for Vegas next week. I have 4 people on the same reservation. When I check in at the 24 hour mark, will it check in all 4 of us, or do we have to check in individually?
When you check in for your flight you will have the option to check-in everyone on the same reservation at the same time. It will ask you who you want to check in and then you will just check all the boxes next to everyone's name.
@@BenDreamVacations Thank you for your response!
What about the return trip? Do I still have to check in 24 hours prior for my return trip? Or does it automatically do it for me when I check in?
@@pennygower8787 Yes, you will need to check in 24 hours prior for your return trip as well.
First time traveling with 4 children under 18. Do you know if any identification is needed for them? The video was very informational and helpful, Thanks!
No ID is needed for them. I just flew on Southwest with my two daughters who are both under 18 and no one asked for an ID for proof of age. The TSA did ask what the ages of my two daughter were but that was it.
Do we have to fly the plane too?
If I have multiple people on the same reservation, is there a way to get their boarding passes to their own devices if i check in on the app? Or so i just show mine at boarding and security?
Yes, great question! There is a few ways you do this. If you are traveling with children who do not have their own ID's yet then it's best to just keep them on your phone. You will have to present their boarding passes to the TSA at the security check point and also at the time of boarding. If you want the boarding passes on their own devices then you can either screenshot the boarding passes and send it to them or if you have an iphone you can save it to your apple wallet. Once the boarding passes are in your wallet you will be able to either airdrop or text them the boarding passes.
My husband and I are both on the same confirmation number. Do each of us need to confirm our flight separately?
When it comes time to check-in, it will ask you who you want to check-in. You will just check the box next to each of your names and then click check-in. That will check both of you in at the same time. Once you do that you will receive your boarding passes and boarding position.
Could I just screenshot the boarding pass QR code to use? I get really bad signal at the Nashville airport and the wifi seems to always be to slow to get it to load.
I have honestly never tried to screenshot the boarding pass. I think that would work but you should also have the option to download it to your phone.
@@BenDreamVacations I was able to use a screenshot. I tried downloading it to my phone but it kept giving an error code (probably my old phone). Just wanted to update just in case anyone else was curious.
@@RebelEdits Good to know! Thanks for sharing!
I am an Australian booking a flight from Las Vegas to LAX to catch a connecting flight home. I Have been confronted with 3 viable options. Anytime, Wanna get away plus & Wanna get away. Not interested in points, Is the wanna get away options viable.
The wanna get away is what I typically book. If you want the fare to be refundable and have it include Early Bird then book the Anytime fare.
Hi...I have a question for you, if I have 2 suitcases, the second suitcase is large and 30kg excess of the airline's provisions, how much do I have to pay?
Or which is better, have 2 suitcases according to the baggage provisions and I can pack the excess in the third suitcase?
To check a 3rd bag would be $125. A bag that is overweight would be $100 if the total weight is between 51 and 70lbs and $125 if the weight is between 71 and 100lbs. Anything over that amount would not be allowed. So if you are saying your bag is 30kg over the standard limit then you would need a 3rd bag so you are not over the max limit.
What if my carry on is 24x17x10.5? Will I have to get it checked in?
It's a tight fit when it's at the max dimensions but if your carry-on has some give to it then I think you can make it work. Otherwise if it doesn't fit you will have to check it.
Hi, if I'm carrying -on and I'm checked in do I proceed to security.
If you just taking a carry-on and are already checked in with the airline and have received your boarding pass you can go straight to the security lines.
i have a question!! i booked a flight to mexico for 3 people, it says i get 2 free checked bags. does that mean per person or per reservation??
It’s 2 free checked bags per person
What is your check in bags are little more than the required weight?
Like 51. Will you still pay a penalty?
The bag gets weighed when you drop it off so if it's 1 pound over they may let it go without an extra charge. It really depends on the agent checking the bag. I would error on the side of caution and try to avoid going over.
Can you take aerosol hair spray in your personal bag on flight? And can you take a women’s rechargeable razor in your personal item bag?? Thank you this video was very helpful!
Yes, you can take aerosol hair spray in your personal bag but it has to be less than 3.4oz. Rechargeable razors can also be taken in your personal bag as well.
@@BenDreamVacations thank you!
What are the cruise dates for Aruba?
Are you looking to go on a cruise? I can help you but I will need to get some more information from you.
We are flying to Orlando this year. I’ll be me and two kids ages 8 and 9. I want us to all sit in same row. Is that possible? How many seats are in a row on a southwest flight?
Each row has 3 seats on either side of the aisle. You shouldn't have any problems being able to all sit together even if you are one of the last people to board. People will usually offer to move seats for you so you can sit with your kids. The flight attendants can also help if you can't find 3 seats together.
@@BenDreamVacationsthank you
We fly often with a family of 4. People are monsters. Make sure you are on the ball and check in the second you are allowed if not doing early bird. Weve been in the beginning of b group and still couldn't find a single row of 3 open because people are monsters. The giant lines of "wheelchair" passengers get early boarding and it seems as if every "disabled person" coincidentally flies southwest now. The lines of wheelchairs is ridiculous. Then families with young children get priority. Then you get all of the pairs of row hogs taking a window and an aisle seat hoping no one will ask for the seat. You also have the groups who pay early bird for 1 person and save seats. The end of b and c group is chaotic. It would be an amazing system if people could act right but i dont have that much faithbin humanity. I might just toss a walking boot on in the future. If you cant beat em join em.
What happens if it said error and unavailable in the check in button in the app? Does it mean I have to wait the 24hours before flight ?
You won't be able to check-in for your flight until 24 hours before the departure time.
If i plan on flying and i buy a ticket a hour or two before departure time do i still need to check in ? If im not able to check in because it’s not 24 hours before can i still board ? Please help
You can check-in anytime within 24 hours before departure. If you are buying a ticket an hour or two before departure then yes, you will still need to check in.
@@BenDreamVacations thank you so much ! Even if i check in that late and close to departure time will i still be able to board and have a seat ?
@@ellae2341 Yes, you will still be able to board and have a seat as long as the flight is not oversold in which case if you are one of the last people to check in you could be bumped to the next available flight.
@@BenDreamVacations thank you so much your video is very helpful i never flew before and planning to soon and this helped alot
@@ellae2341 So glad you found the video helpful. Enjoy your first flight!
7:09 is the conformation number there the one u use at the kiosk or where do u get your confirmation number
You will receive your confirmation number once your flight is booked. You will use that confirmation to access your reservation which you can do at the kiosk, or online.
@@BenDreamVacations what if I forgot to take a picture of it, will I be able to see it again?
@@MarcosGuerrero-rx9lh once your flight is booked you will receive an email or a text with your confirmation number on it that you can save to access your flight reservation later. If you lose that then at the airport you can swipe the credit card you used to book your flight at the kiosk to access your reservation.
@@BenDreamVacations so the app won't have it saved when I click on the flight?
@@MarcosGuerrero-rx9lh if you have the app it will absolutely save it
Will they let a 18.1” x 11.8” x 5.1” personal item?
Yes, those measurements will work for a personal item 👍
I just checked into a Southwest flight and got A-33
Nice! That's a good boarding position!
Hi I have a question, Do I need to go to the counter to check my carryon back and backpack? Or do I only use the kiosk and go straight to tsa?
No need to go to the counter if you only have a carry on and backpack. You can go straight to the security lines if you have your boarding pass or stop at the kiosk if you need to print it out.
@@BenDreamVacationsthank you, i am flying by myself for the first time tomorrow and this video helped a lot thanks
@@Dxeam so happy to hear the video helped. Enjoy your first flight tomorrow!
@BenDreamVacations I thought you ALWAYS have to get the print out at the kiosk for luggage stickers I guess that part can't be bypassed
@@lovefaith1714 For Southwest you have to print out your luggage tags at the kiosk or at the counter.
Check-in section @ 5:47
What is the boarding position? Is it the seat number?
It’s your position in line to board the plane.
@@BenDreamVacations how to find my seat number then?
@@ZOBAER496 there are no assigned seats on Southwest. Once you board the plane you can choose any open seat.
@@BenDreamVacations interesting! Never seen any such airlines before. Thanks for the info. I am going to fly today in Southwest and this information will be helpful.
@@ZOBAER496 safe travels!
where are the show notes please.
They are located within the video description
N no one has talked about if you're disabled where is your CD going to be when you're disabled get a video on disabled boarding on South
I would like to understand this topic more of going through the airport process as a person with a disability but I really need to see the process first hand to really understand it. Hopefully I can make a video on this soon.
Do disabled guests bored first before A
Yes, but you will need to talk to a Southwest agent first. They will ask you some questions to make sure you qualify and then will issue you a new ticket that will be marked as PRBD which will allow you to pre-board before the A group.
0:12 0:23
This is my first time flying, can I bring a duffle bag as a carry on for Southwest?
Yes, you can take a duffle bag as a carry-on. Just make sure it meets the carry size requirements of 24" x 16" x 10".
Thank you!
Southwest without early bird is a nightmare if you have more than 2 passengers. People are monsters. The line of wheelchairs which recieve early boarding is ridiculous at southwest. You wont see this at any other airline. Famileis with young children also get early boarding. Pairs of row hogs then turn 6 seat rows into 4 seat rows through 3/4 of the plane. The southwest system could be great but people are monsters. My advice. Get a leg boot. If you cant beat em join em!
This is not true at all
@@mickelwarren2598 you don't fly southwest obviously.
@@B.r.i.a.n.1 haha bullshit shows what you know.
@@mickelwarren2598 would love to know which part of my statment was wrong. I fly exclusively southwest thanks to my southwest rapid rewards credit card and there is rarely an exception to the things I mentioned. People are monsters and can't act right. Just flew back and forth to Orlando with my family of 4. We diddnt pay for early bird, B group both times after immediately check in at 24hrs and couldn't find a single row of 3 available either trip. This is a regular occurrence! Not always of course. It's not that we mind being separated as we're all going to the same place, it's simply annoying how all of these people behave. When my family gets on with early bird we could easily split up 2 and 2 locking up a row of 6 but we don't. My wife and kids take a row of 3 and I sit across in the aisle seat. Leaving a pair together for someone else. There is no debating the long wheelchair lines on southwest. It's seen no where else in the airport. People know you grab a chair you get priority boarding!
Why wouldn't you do the early boarding? It's a no-brainer
Beginner's Guide to flying Southwest??? DON"T. IF you like being in competition with 100+ other passengers for a place in line, room for your carryon, or not sitting next to a loved one on your flight, go right ahead.
Cattlecar of the skies. Most flights run 20 minutes behind because of this silly boarding policy.
Just don't. Some people like being treated little cows to save a few bucks. but have some pride.
So much spam in here 🤣🤣🤣
Best advise: If you don't own your own jet, flying isn't for you.
SW should pay you for your work sir 🫡
I wish