How Many Boarding Groups Does Southwest Have in 2026?

Have you booked Southwest Airlines (WN) tickets? Understanding how many boarding groups does Southwest have helps you know what to expect at the gate. Southwest Airlines now uses eight numbered boarding groups, from Group 1 through Group 8, under its assigned-seating system. Your boarding group depends on your fare, seat type and location, Rapid Rewards status, and eligible credit card benefits. Your boarding pass displays your assigned seat and group, helping you prepare for a smoother boarding experience.

How Many Boarding Groups Does Southwest Have?

If you're wondering how many boarding groups there are on Southwest, the answer is 8 - Groups 1 through 8, under its current boarding system. Certain passengers board before Group 1, including eligible preboarding passengers, Priority Boarding customers, and A-List Preferred members.

Southwest Boarding Groups at a Glance

Boarding order	Who boards
Preboarding	Unaccompanied Minors and passengers with disabilities who need extra time or assistance to board, stow accessibility equipment, or get seated.
Priority Boarding	Customers who purchase the available Priority Boarding option (starting 24 hours before scheduled departure); eligible active-duty U.S. military members also board before Group 1.
Before Group 1	Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members
Group 1	A-List members and Choice Extra fare passengers
Group 2	Passengers with Choice and Choice Preferred fares for Extra Legroom seats
Groups 3-4	Eligible Choice Preferred fare passengers in Standard or Preferred seats
Group 5	Eligible Rapid Rewards credit card members not assigned an earlier group (as per seat type, fare type, or tier status)
Groups 3-7	Choice fare passengers (in Standard or Preferred seats)
Group 8	Basic fare passengers

Important: Passengers traveling with a Getaways by Southwest vacation package board in Groups 3-7, or earlier if eligible through Rapid Rewards status or credit card benefits.

Southwest Boarding: What Changed in 2026?

Before January 27, 2026, Southwest used open seating, with A, B, and C boarding groups and positions numbered 1–60.

Under the new system, boarding groups on Southwest run from Group 1 to Group 8 and determine when passengers board. Most fares allow seat selection at booking, while Basic fares follow different seat-assignment rules. The airline has also removed the old gate-position markers.

Feature	Previous System	Current System
Seating	Open seating	Assigned seat
Boarding groups	Groups A, B, and C, with positions 1–60.	Numbered Groups 1–8, plus eligible early-boarding arrangements.
Seat selection	Passengers chose seats after boarding.	Seats are assigned or selected before boarding, depending on fare and eligibility.
Basic fare	Open seating	Standard seat assigned at check-in or gate
Benefit of early boarding	Better choice of available seats	Earlier access to overhead-bin space and time to settle in

How Does the Southwest Airlines Boarding Process Work?

As per the Southwest Airlines boarding process, travelers are now assigned a boarding group between Group 1 and Group 8. Your boarding order depends on your fare, seat type, Rapid Rewards status, and eligible credit card benefits. Your assigned group appears on your boarding pass.

Here is how the process works:

Passengers board when their group is called. After check-in, your boarding pass shows your assigned seat and boarding group.
Travelers on the same reservation get the same boarding group, except for group travel bookings.
A-List, A-List Preferred, and eligible Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers can extend their boarding benefits to up to eight passengers on the same reservation.
Companion Pass® holders and their companions get the best boarding benefit they qualify for based on their Rapid Rewards tier status.
Passengers on group bookings are assigned a boarding group based on their seat.

Note:

Boarding screens show your group number when it’s time to board.
Find your assigned seat and store carry-ons overhead or under the seat in front of you.
Check the airline’s official boarding process for current rules and exceptions.

Which Southwest Fare Gets You the Best Boarding Group?

You know how many groups are in the Southwest boarding process. Now, it’s good to understand which fare helps you find the best group. For this, compare the airline’s four main fare bundles before booking to see which option best suits your early boarding needs.

Fare type	Boarding group	Seat selection
Choice Extra	Group 1	Extra Legroom, Preferred, or Standard seat at booking
Choice/Choice Preferred	Group 2	Purchase or upgrade to an Extra Legroom seat
Choice Preferred	Groups 3–4	Preferred or Standard seat at booking
Choice	Groups 3–7	Standard or Preferred seat at booking
Basic	Last to board, Group 8	Seat assigned at check-in or at the gate

Note: Boarding assignments remain subject to eligibility and availability. Other benefits, including elite status and eligible credit card benefits, may affect the assigned group.

Which Fare Should You Choose?

Choice Extra: Best for Extra Legroom options and early boarding.
Choice Preferred: Ideal for a Preferred seat.
Choice: Suitable if you want to select a Standard seat at booking.
Basic: Best if a lower upfront fare is your priority.

Compare the total fare and benefits before upgrading.

When Do Families Board on Southwest?

Families traveling on the same reservation generally receive the same boarding group, except for group bookings. Check your boarding pass to confirm your assigned boarding group and know when to board.

Group bookings: Boarding groups depend on seat assignments.
Choice fares: Families can select seats during booking, subject to availability.
Basic fares: Seats are assigned at check-in or at the gate.
Seating children: Southwest will try to seat families together. If seats are limited, children aged 12 and under will be seated next to at least one accompanying adult.

Note: For latest information, check with the airline.

How to Get an Earlier Southwest Boarding Group?

You may qualify for earlier boarding through your fare, loyalty status, eligible credit card benefits, or Priority Boarding.

Choice Extra: Includes Group 1 boarding.
A-List status: A-List members board in Group 1; A-List Preferred members board before Group 1.
Eligible credit card benefits: Qualifying primary cardmembers may receive Group 5 or an earlier group through another benefit.
Extra Legroom seat: Generally qualifies for Group 2.
Priority Boarding: Available for purchase when offered, allowing customers to board before Group 1.

Your assigned group depends on the benefits applicable to your booking. Check your boarding pass to confirm.

Southwest Priority Boarding: Rules to Know

Purchase window: Available from 24 hours before the original scheduled departure until 30 minutes before departure, if available.
Cost and payment: Priced per customer, per flight segment; a credit card is required.
Connecting flights: Purchase Priority Boarding separately for each eligible flight segment. It becomes available 24 hours before each flight.
Voluntary changes or cancellations: The purchase is nonrefundable if you change or cancel your flight.
Southwest cancellations or significant disruptions: A refund may apply if Southwest cancels your flight, or significantly delays or changes it and you cancel as a result. Significant disruptions generally mean three or more hours domestically or six or more hours internationally.

Money-saving tip: Compare the cost of upgrading your fare with the price of Priority Boarding before paying extra.

Common Southwest Boarding Mistakes to Avoid

Expecting A, B, and C groups: Southwest now uses numbered Groups 1–8.
Assuming early boarding means choosing a seat: Your seat is assigned before boarding.
Confusing Priority Boarding with Extra Legroom: Priority Boarding is a separate upgrade; Extra Legroom is a seat type.
Assuming all credit cardholders qualify: Group 5 benefits depend on card eligibility and terms.
Arriving late at the gate: Arrive in time for boarding announcements, even if you have an early group.
Ignoring your assigned seat: Check your boarding pass and ask the crew if you encounter a seating issue.

Ready to Book? Choose the Right Southwest Fare and Save

Knowing how many boarding groups does Southwest have makes it easier to compare fare options and decide whether early boarding is worth the extra cost. Southwest uses eight numbered groups, with the boarding order influenced by fare type, seat location, loyalty status, and eligible card benefits.

Before booking, compare the total fare and included benefits rather than focusing on the boarding position alone. Wizfair Travels can help you compare available flight options and identify potential savings, so you can make a more informed booking decision.

FAQs

How many boarding groups are on Southwest?

Southwest Airlines has eight boarding groups, from Group 1 through Group 8. Eligible preboarding passengers, Priority Boarding customers, and A-List Preferred members board before Group 1.

What is the best boarding group in the Southwest?

Group 1 is the earliest numbered boarding group. A-List Preferred members board even earlier, before Group 1, while eligible preboarding and Priority Boarding passengers also board before the numbered groups.

Is Group 4 good on Southwest Airlines?

Yes, Group 4 boards ahead of Groups 5 through 8, giving you an earlier opportunity to board. Your seat is already assigned, but overhead bin space is not guaranteed.

Does Southwest still use A, B, and C boarding groups?

No, the airline doesn’t use A, B, and C boarding groups anymore. Southwest introduced its assigned-seating system and numbered Groups 1-8 for flights departing January 27, 2026, replacing its former open seating system.

How do A-List Members board?

A-List Preferred Members board before Group 1, while A-List Members board in Group 1. Both extend boarding benefits to up to eight passengers on the same reservation and receive complimentary seat selection based on tier status.