Raven4

How does Southwest airlines Wanna Get Away work?
Is it really just boarding the plane and picking your seat?
Thanks in advance.

janisj

Depends on when you are flying. Currently (and for decades) you get a boarding number at check in A1-60, B1-60, C1- . . . and they board 30 places at a time. When your number boards, yes, you can take any available seat.

But they announced this summer they they are converting to assigned seats just like every other airline. I'm not sure the date it is changing but likely sometime early next year.

Christina

Wnna Getaway is irrelevant in terms of seat selection. That's a fare class, that's all. I think it's difference is that you cannot get a cash refund if you cancel that, but you can higher fares. I think you can always get a credit for cancelling.
The website clearly shows you what it means

https://www.southwest.com/airfare-ty...get-away-plus/

Yes, you choose your seat when you board, but you get boarding groups so the better letters A, B etc get first choice. You can pay a small extra fee to check-in early which pretty much means you get in at leat group B, that's what I do on longer distance flights. Short flights, I don't care that much.

I'm really sad they are doing away with that, they were the only airline that let you pick your seat upon entering, which I loved. You can really eyeball better who you might be next to, little screaming kids to avoid, etc. and you can't do that when you have to pick your seat ahead of time and are fixed in it. I complained but of course they don't care about people who liked the current system. Some investors made them do it claiming they'd get more business that way. Personally, I'm skeptical on that one, not to mention every flight is virtually full anyway, at least the ones I'm on. They are supposed to start doing that after July 2025.

kybourbon

**I'm really sad they are doing away with that, they were the only airline that let you pick your seat upon entering, which I loved.**

That's what I hated most about Southwest along with no plug ins or video screens. I got an email from them today about the seat selection.

" We will begin selling flights with seat assignments in the second half of 2025 for travel in the first half of 2026."

coral22

I do agree that when boarding Southwest you can avoid the problems you see, but I always pay the extra $20 Early Bird fee so I am always onboard early in the A group, and don't enjoy the stress of sitting there and hoping some of the people coming on don't sit by me. Of, course you can still have challenging seat mates, in assigned seating, but it is a done deal and psychologically it is more calming to me.

Southwest is pulling out the first few rows of seats and replacing them with premium seats and legroom and I'm sure, premium prices. I bet there will be other upcharges on some seats. I am predicting, the 2 free bags, will reduce to 1, and eventually, to none. Anything to increase profits. I also noticed they are pulling one third of their flights out of Atlanta.

kybourbon

**. I am predicting, the 2 free bags, will reduce to 1, and eventually, to none.**

The email they sent today said the two free bags were here to stay.

**Southwest is pulling out the first few rows of seats and replacing them with premium seats and legroom and I'm sure, premium prices. I bet there will be other upcharges on some seats.**

If you have status the seats seem to be free.

• New A–List Preferred Members will be able to select all available seats at the time of booking, including extra legroom, at no additional cost.
• New A–List Members will be able to select all standard legroom seats at the time of booking with the opportunity to choose an extra legroom seat within 48 hours of departure, if available, at no additional cost.

coral22

kybourbon, You are right, I stand corrected!
I was just speculating about the luggage fees as a logical way to make make money. Their research shows they could make 1.5 billion more a year by charging, but they would lose 1.8 billion a year in market share loss. I obviously don't understand the dynamics, I don't know who they would lose these passengers to in this day of packed flights, but free bags are the number one reason passengers choose them. 2 free bags are here to stay.

It is interesting that A list members can choose the premium seats, 48 hours out for free, if available, I wonder if other more desirable seats will have a charge. I am happy about the adjustable headrests and the device plug ins! It will be interesting to watch.

kybourbon

** but free bags are the number one reason passengers choose them.**

On other airlines, either your status or a credit card gives you free bags. I only fly Southwest when I need to take a family member to Houston (2-4 times a year) and it's the only nonstop.

I wonder how the Iceland Air connection will work? They also say they are working to get another partner.