How do you get to Disney World? If you drive, things are getting easier for you as average gas prices continue to drop across the United States, but if you fly, things are still complicated.
Southwest Flight
Flights are still being canceled at high rates, and airlines are mishandling and losing more luggage than just a year ago. With everything seemingly so complicated right now, travelers are wanting to simplify their travel days in as many ways as possible, and now, Southwest Airlines is introducing a new way to make your travel go just a little bit smoother.Â
If you’ve ever flown on a Southwest flight, then you might recall that it is one of the few airlines without assigned seating. When you book a flight with Southwest, you do not choose a seat before boarding, and instead find an available seat on the plane once you’re on board, and you may find yourself all the way at the back of the plane or in another unfavorable location.
Instead of choosing a seat ahead of time, you find one once you board.
Now, Southwest is offering a new program that will allow you to choose your seat prior to boarding — well, kinda. It’s called Upgraded Boarding and it’s $30 per person per segment (so if you have a layover somewhere, you would have to pay for Upgraded Boarding twice). Upgraded Boarding will give you access to the A1-A15 boarding position, so you’ll be one of the first people on the plane. That means that you’ll have first access to seat selection and overhead bin space.
Southwest Airlines
You can purchase Upgraded Boarding as early as 24 hours before your flight online or in the Southwest Airlines app. The purchasing window will remain open until 30 minutes before your flight departs. Any traveler who has purchased a Southwest plane ticket in the Anytime, Wanna Get Away, or Wanna Get Away Plus category is eligible to purchase Upgraded Boarding, but they should be aware that availability will vary from flight to flight. This is something that Southwest has offered in the past when available at the gate at the airport, but now it’s available for purchase online ahead of time.
Looking for more ways to make your air travel easier? JetBlue just announced tons of new fall discounts with one-way flights as low as $49. We’ve also rounded up some of the most reliable and least reliable airlines in the country to help make your decision on which one to choose a little bit simpler.
Orlando International Airport
For anyone trying to budget out their flights, we’ve also calculated the average cost to fly to Disney World in September to give you an idea of how much your trip might be. We’re always on the lookout for more news that could impact your travels, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest!
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What is going to happen with people like my husband that needs a wheelchair and have been able to board first. Do we have to buy our seats too
Your husband would qualify for priority boarding. People who require accessible boarding do so before anyone else. After that, the A group boards, followed by family boarding, and the B group and C group.
Cannot see paying $30. per leg just to get on a plane. Just check in as soon as possible and take what you get. Still, I love Southwest.
Pre-boarding stays the same. A1-A15 have been referred to as Business Select and have normally been sold as an “add-on” at the Gate. “Would you like to get the “best” seat on this flight? For a small upcharge it can be yours.”
In answer to the lady about wheelchairs – they are considered pre-boarding. You communicate with the gate agent to get this.
This program is in addition to the Early Bird fee, which would automatically check you in 24 hours prior to departure. Checking in is how SWA assigns boarding positions. The thing is, when EVERYONE is paying for that, your boarding position doesn’t improve that much.
It’s just another revenue stream.
No that is called pre boarding, this has no bearing on that
My husband is also handicapped and I make a note of it when I book our flights and they always let us (and others) who need extra time boarding get on first.
We have always done this. They still take people in wheelchairs first.
They… already did this? It was called business something? Did they just rebrand it?
Barbara, You and your husband should still get priority boarding before anyone else gets on the plane. This looks to be just another money grab by the airline. Everything is extra now on most flights your lucky there are any seats you don’t have to pay extra for. Its strange since you have purchased the ticket.