How to Survive Flying Southwest Airlines

Flying Southwest Airlines is a great way to save money. With the way gas prices have been skyrocketing, it is the only way some people can afford to travel. Some people love the airline. It is a perfect fit for them. However, there are others of us that aren't so savvy. For us, traveling on Southwest isn't ideal, but it is survivable. The low prices are what keep us coming back.

The first key to flying Southwest is to book early. Early on their prices are quite competitive with the other airlines. The longer you wait the higher the prices go. You can look to resources like Kayak to check the lowest prices at the other airlines before you book.

If you are one of those people who like having your own seat already predetermined, and are content with boarding rows X-X remember Southwest doesn't play that way. Southwest boards like a cattle call. Based on when you check in you are put in a boarding class. The classes are A, B, and C. You can do online check in up to 24 hours before your flight departs. If you want to guarantee being in boarding class A, that is probably the way to go. I once flew ATA from San Francisco to Chicago and then had a Southwest codeshare flight back to Indianapolis. I had a four and a half hour layover in Chicago, and I checked in to my Southwest flight only moments after deplaning. I was still in boarding class B. When I flew from Indy to Las Vegas, my printer wasn't working so I could check in (could print a boarding pass). I arrived at the airport a good two hours before the flight and was lucky to get boarding class B. One word of warning, if you book a Southwest Vacation Package, you cannot do the online check in, you have to have regular boarding passes. My friends ran into this problem. Even though the arrived at the airport 90 minutes before the flight, they were banished to boarding class C.