Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure an...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
20 comments
Grumpy Texan Travel
September 28, 2019
Nice post. Southwest can be fairly confusing for first-time flyers. This will definitely help those people.
Tim Boyer
December 08, 2019
Good morning,
According to two places on your website, active duty military are given seating preference of between A and B groups. This morning I was traveling on military orders and was denied this slot for boarding because I was not in uniform. We are instructed not to travel in uniform unless absolutely necessary for the mission because wearing the uniform in places like the airport because it makes us a target. Please consider revising your policy (the attendant at Little Rock Airport said a memo recently came out to enforce the uniform requirement). Or just update your website and do not have the attendants make the announcement for military to board prior to turning us away. The attendant was very friendly and was just doing her job, but it seems something needs to change or be clarified. This was flight 6322 from Little Rock to Dallas at 1200. Thank you for taking this into consideration, it’s a little embarrassing being turned away.
Katie Seemann
December 09, 2019
Hi Tim,
I’m sorry you were turned away. According to Southwest their policy is to let “active duty, uniformed members of the U.S. armed forces to board between the “A” and “B” boarding groups.”
As a frequent Southwest flyer, I can say that most times, the gate attendant calls for just “active duty military”, so I can understand how frustrated you might be that the “uniformed” part of the policy isn’t clear or consistently enforced.
I would suggest contacting Southwest directly to express your concern.
DavFerr
September 16, 2021
So wearing a uniform can make you a target however you want to board when they announce “Military” over the P.A.? Try boarding with the civilians and that will make you less of a target. And yes, I am a veteran.
USMC
December 16, 2021
He didn’t make the rules…he’s just following them. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to take advantage of the benefits offered by the airlines.
Howard
September 04, 2022
Wearing a uniform from the time of entering the airport until boarding the plane makes an active duty member of the U.S. armed forces a lot more conspicuous and exposed for a lot longer than just boarding when “Military” is announced. Just sayin’. And no, I am not a veteran.
Jean
January 01, 2020
There is no consistency among which Southwest terminals permit non-uniformed active duty to board between zones A and B. This morning I was permitted to board in Dallas and then not permitted to after my layover in Phoenix. This is the first time I have not been permitted to board early after being allowed to numerous other times. Further, as previously stated, traveling in uniform is a security risk and is discouraged. Southwest’s stance on this is very confusing.
David
May 02, 2021
I would like to know if a Covid19 test is required if you have both shots.
Jarrod West
May 03, 2021
Hi David,
Where will you be flying?
Jim F
June 23, 2021
Has anyone else noticed that pre-boarding has gotten crazy out of control? My wife and I have flown quite a few times this year and we routinely see 15-20 people board before A1. Most are not in wheel chairs and few show externally a need for additional help. That’s not say that they’re not out there and we just can’t see their need. It does seem like it’s being taken advantage of, especially when you see those same people who pre-boarded walk off the plane without assistance.
Lenora Danta
July 24, 2021
I stopped flying southwest (my husband and I) for that same reason. I wrote to Southwest in regards to this same issue. They told me that is their policy and research shows that people love it! Well, I don’t. I do not nor do my family give them business. People are taking advantage of the system and in this day in age, no one has the Strength to call them out and use proper protocol. So I pay more, fly American, and CHOOSE my seat. Call and complain, not that they will listen.
Will
September 04, 2021
I once saw this guy in a wheelchair boarding, and after the flight, away from the gate, he started walking and pushing the wheelchair instead.
MilServ1972
August 17, 2022
As a person who looks personally fine but has a heart that works at less than 48 percent, I don’t agree with this. I cannot walk long distances through the terminal. Do I have to look disabled before I can use a wheelchair? It is also important to mention that my disability was caused because of two consecutive tours in Afghanistan. It is so amazing in today’s society people have to look disabled to be considered disabled. When we don’t want to stereotype. I am more frustrated when a family of six will follow the individual with the wheelchair down the jetway. Please remember that disabilities do not have signs or a look.
Alexis Marie
November 04, 2021
The inconsistency with the military boarding with Southwest is annoying. Last time I boarded early not in uniform with no problem, and this flight they denied me to board after the A group saying I had to be in uniform. I know it’s not a huge deal, but if they could pick a stance on military boarding it would save the embarrassment of trying to board early and being denied.
KBC
November 16, 2021
Actually Southwest DOESNT ALLOW military to board. You have to be uniformed which is against most military travel policies.
Greg B
March 18, 2022
I think it would be idiotic for SW to change the “in uniform” requirement. The time it takes to check each ID doesn’t make sense. Rather than complaining to SW, complain to the government travel department to let you travel in uniform. It only makes sense.
Renea
June 04, 2022
It’s about honoring our military. As the gentleman said above most are encouraged not to wear their uniforms, even when they are on a mission. A visible uniform doesn’t change their status. Good grief give them a few extra minutes to board! Especially when they have laid their lives down for our freedom! SMH
Gary
March 08, 2023
Is my early boarding status applied to my subsequent flights at layovers?
Jarrod West
March 09, 2023
Hi Gary,
If you purchased it during booking then it should be applied to each flight.
Lou Volpato
August 18, 2023
Expectations are important to me. I booked the tix on line and choose seats. I arrived at the airport to find open seating policy. I would not have paid for the tix had the website been clear. Definitely flying JetBlue next time.
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