Do families get to sit together at Southwest? The airline is testing a new boarding process.
Southwest Airline’s policy applies to all tickets
Southwest emphasized that trials like this one “are not an indication of a forthcoming policy change” but are just part of how the airline works to stay as efficient as possible.
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All other passengers are assigned a group (A, B or C) and a boarding position within that group (numbered 1-60). Passengers line up to board by group and position, and can choose any available seat once they are on the plane.
Southwest has a video explaining the process for travelers who aren’t used to their method.
Do families board together on other airlines?
Because most airlines assign seats ahead of their flights, families on other airlines can typically board together if they selected adjoining seats in advance.
However, many last-minute ticket purchases or basic economy fares inadvertently see families split up onboard, which can mean boarding separately as well. And, many airlines require passengers that don’t have frequent flyer status to pay to select their seats when they book.
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Over the summer, the Department of Transportation issued a notice that encouraged airlines to do everything in their power to seat families together free of charge.