Taking Southwest from ROC or BUF to Orlando -- how was your seating experience?

[Weather_Lady]

Now that JetBlue has cut its morning direct flight to Orlando out of Syracuse, we'll be flying Southwest (for the first time) from Rochester to Orlando next May.

I've familiarized myself with Southwest's, um, unique boarding system. My concern is that there will be six of us (2 small children, young but not young enough to be entitled to any earlier boarding, plus my senior aunt who has never flown before in her life), flying on Wanna Getaway fares. I may spring for Early Bird check-in, but the flight will NOT be originating -- there will already be people on it, and obviously the higher fares and A+ members will be boarding ahead of us.

If you've flown this route, what was your experience? How full were the flights when you boarded, and if you checked in early, what kind of boarding group did you get?

I'm sure we're going to have to split up into groups of 2 or 3, but my fear is that we won't even be able to find sets of 2, meaning that the kids (aged 5 and 7) could get stuck between creepy strangers.

Is this a realistic concern? Does Early Bird check-in even help that much? Any input you can give me would be much appreciated!

 

[ford91exploder]

Generally not a problem in your case, Business Select and A List members get the top boarding priority, Higher fares don't automatically get higher boarding priority - they do however get the ability to change flights day of flight without paying an increase.

Early Bird is worth it for large groups especially as it checks you in at the 36 hour mark right behind the A List members it also saves hassle of checking in exactly at the 24 hour mark and with multiple tickets its a real labor saver.

SW's F/A's are good about finding a spot for families to sit together and you really have to get over the 'creepy stranger' bit the media likes to sow fear to get eyeballs but in the US we have too many 'man bites dog' stories and we no longer realistically assess risk in a rational manner because of this.

Southwest like disney has a culture, people who regularly fly SW generally will change seats to accomodate families ive seen this over and over again and I fly them at least 2-4 times per month

 

[ohbrandon]

Every time I've flown BUF to MCO with Southwest it has been a full flight. I highly recommend the early bird check in.