Early Bird Check in Southwest: Is It Worth the Cost?

Do you usually get annoyed about choosing a perfect seat before a flight journey? And always thinking about what if I fail to do check-in and miss my flight… Early bird check is here to clear out all these little worries for you.

In this guide, we’ll focus on early bird check-in services in Southwest Airlines, American’s most famous low-cost airline, and even the forefather of the cost-effective business model in the world. Read on!

What Is Early Bird Check?

Early bird check-in service is a privilege for better seat choice & boarding advantage. It starts at $15-$25 per flight (varies by demand) on Southwest Airlines.

It’s also completely separate from your ticket class – an add-on service both for Economy & Business Select. Well, if you’re in the premier cabin, an early bird check is already included.

Tips: choose early bird check-in if…

• If you’re flying Economy, but hate middle seats.
• If you do not want to stress out.
• You don’t need free drinks on Business Select.

How Does Early Bird Check in Southwest Work?

Southwest Airlines’ Early Bird Check-in is a paid service that allows passengers to secure an earlier boarding position (improving seat selection & overhead bin space availability), compared to standard check-in.

The system automatically checks you in before the general 24-hour check-in window opens. Early Bird Check will not help you to pick your seats – it just gives you an early boarding group, so you have more open seats to choose from when you step onto the plane.

How to Buy Early Bird Check in Southwest?

Credit: from Southwest.com | Add Early Bird Check-in Page

It’s easy to purchase Early Bird Check-in on Southwest Airlines. Southwest.com & Southwest Airlines App are all available for you. Here’re the steps:

• Select Early Bird Check-in as an add-on.
• If you forgot, go to “Manage Reservations”; find your trip and click “Add Early Bird Check-in.
• Pay $15-$25 per flight via credit/debit card (varies by route & demand).
• You’ll receive an updated boarding pass with your assigned boarding group (A/early B) 36 hours before departure.

Tips to Buy Early Bird Check in Southwest

Knowing the following tips helps you avoid frustration, save money, and get the best travel experience with Southwest’s Early Bird Check-in.

• Use Southwest Airlines App for boarding pass notifications.
• Early Bird Check-in service doesn’t guarantee Group A1-15 (reserved for Business Select).
• First-come, first-served.
• You could have a good spot with manual check-in if you’re on a less busy route.
• For peak travels (mornings or holidays), it’s a safer choice.
• Pack essentials for personal bags (under-seat) in case bins are full.

Know More about Southwest Airlines

Credit: from Los Angeles Times | Southwest Early Bird Check-in Service

Southwest Airlines was founded in 1971 in Dallas, Texas, by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King. It’s the pioneer of low-cost airlines, which focuses on short-term, point-to-point routes, with high frequency.

They only operate flights by using Boeing 737s (over 700 aircraft). Flight attendants there are also known for humorous safety announcements like, “Your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device… but we’re flying over the desert today, so good luck with that!”

It serves over 100 cities in America and operates limited international flights mainly to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Catch a flight on Southwest Airlines with an Early Bird Check-in service for a better experience on your way!