Southwest Airlines rewrote 50 years of travel tradition in under 12 months. assigned seating replaced the open-seating model in January 2026, EarlyBird Check-In was retired the same week, and baggage fees jumped again in April 2026. If you last flew Southwest a year ago, the check-in process you remember no longer exists. This guide covers every current check-in option and flags what changed so you’re not caught off guard at the gate.
Quick Answer
Southwest check-in opens 24 hours before departure through the website, mobile app, or airport kiosk. As of January 27, 2026, the airline uses assigned seating with boarding Groups 1 through 8, replacing the old A/B/C open-seating model. Most fare holders select their seat at booking; Basic fare holders receive a seat assignment at check-in. Checked bags cost $45 for the first and $55 for the second on most fares as of April 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest moved to assigned seating on January 27, 2026, ending its open-seating model after more than 50 years — your seat is now selected at booking for most fares.
- Check-in opens 24 hours before departure online, via the app, or at airport kiosks; Basic fare holders should check in promptly to get the best available seat assignment.
- EarlyBird Check-In was discontinued on January 26, 2026; Priority Boarding is now the main paid option for an earlier boarding group.
- Checked bags cost $45 for the first and $55 for the second on most fares as of April 2026, with exceptions for elite members and some credit card holders.
- Linking your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number to your Rapid Rewards profile puts your PreCheck status on every boarding pass automatically.
What’s in This Article
Online Check-In Options
Online check-in lets you handle everything from home and skip the airport lines. Visit the Southwest Airlines website or open the mobile app, enter your confirmation number and name, or use your Rapid Rewards number, and you’re checked in within a few clicks.
Under the current assigned seating model, most fare holders choose their seat at the time of booking. Check-in timing matters most for Basic fare passengers, who receive their seat assignment when they check in. Checking in as soon as the 24-hour window opens gives Basic fare travelers the widest selection of remaining seats. Online check-in also lets you add checked baggage directly and pay the applicable fees before you reach the airport.
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Mobile Check-In
The Southwest Airlines mobile app handles check-in, flight status, and booking management from your phone or tablet. It offers the same functionality as the website, making it the most convenient option for travelers on the go.
Once you check in, a digital boarding pass lands directly on your device. That eliminates paper passes and cuts the risk of losing travel documents. The app pushes real-time gate change alerts and flight status updates, so you stay informed without refreshing a browser tab.
Kiosk Check-In at the Airport
| Metrics | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Kiosks | 100 | 110 | 120 |
| Check-Ins per Hour | 50 | 55 | 60 |
| Customer Satisfaction (%) | 85% | 88% | 90% |
Southwest self-service kiosks sit throughout terminal areas at many airports and offer a fast alternative to online check-in. Walk up, touch the screen, follow the prompts, and you’re done. For Basic fare travelers, the kiosk assigns your seat on the spot.
Passengers with checked bags benefit especially from kiosk check-in. You print your boarding pass and baggage tags in one step, then proceed straight to the baggage drop area where Southwest staff weigh and tag your bags. Airport staff stand nearby to help if you run into any issues.
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Priority Boarding Options
Warning: EarlyBird Check-In was discontinued on January 26, 2026. Any references to purchasing EarlyBird on third-party sites reflect the old system and no longer apply.
Southwest’s EarlyBird Check-In, which automatically checked travelers in 36 hours before departure for a fee of $15 to $25, ended on January 26, 2026. The assigned seating transition made it redundant: most passengers lock in their specific seat at booking, so an early check-in no longer determines where you sit.
Two options now give you a better boarding group. Priority Boarding, available for purchase, moves you into an earlier group for your flight. Business Select fare passengers receive guaranteed early boarding, free checked bags, and other fare benefits. Boarding runs through Groups 1 through 8, based on your fare type, seat location, Rapid Rewards status, and any Priority Boarding upgrades you purchase.
Families traveling on the same confirmation number get placed in the same boarding group. Passengers on Choice, Choice Preferred, or Choice Extra fares can select seats together at the time of booking. If sitting together matters to your group, booking a higher fare class — and choosing seats at checkout — gives you the most control.
Baggage Check-In Process
Note: Southwest raised checked bag fees on April 9, 2026. The figures below reflect that increase — not the original May 2025 amounts.
Southwest ended its “Bags Fly Free” policy on May 28, 2025, for reservations booked on or after that date. A fee increase followed on April 9, 2026. Current fees for most fares are $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second.
Several passenger groups still check bags at no cost:
- A-List Preferred members: two free checked bags
- A-List members: one free checked bag
- Rapid Rewards co-branded credit card holders: one free checked bag
- Business Select fare passengers: two free checked bags
- Active-duty military: free checked bags
The free bag benefit extends to up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation for qualifying members. Passengers who booked before May 28, 2025, keep two free checked bags under the previous policy.
Add checked baggage online or via the app before you arrive to pay fees in advance and speed up drop-off. At the airport, kiosk check-in prints your boarding pass and baggage tags together in one step. After that, proceed to the designated baggage drop area. Overweight bags (51 to 70 pounds) carry a $125 fee, so check your bag weights before you leave home.
Boarding Pass Options
Southwest provides multiple boarding pass formats after check-in. The digital boarding pass through the app or emailed directly to you is the fastest option: save it to your phone’s wallet app for a one-tap scan at security and the gate. Your boarding pass shows your assigned seat and boarding group number under the current system.
Prefer paper? Print at an airport kiosk or get one from airline staff at the ticket counter. Digital passes carry QR codes that work at both security checkpoints and boarding gates without extra steps. Either format gets you on the plane — it’s purely a matter of preference.
TSA PreCheck and Southwest Airlines Check-In
TSA PreCheck members use dedicated security lanes where shoes, belts, and light jackets stay on, and laptops and compliant liquids stay in the bag. The time savings stand out at busy airports, where standard security lines can add 30 minutes or more to your trip.
Your PreCheck status shows on your Southwest boarding pass automatically when you link your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your Rapid Rewards profile. Add the KTN under “Traveler Info” in your Rapid Rewards account. After that, it pulls through on all future reservations with no extra steps at check-in.
Tips for a Smooth Check-In Experience
Pro tip: Basic fare holders should set an alarm for exactly 24 hours before departure — checking in at the first available moment gives you the widest selection of remaining seat assignments.
What you’re racing for at check-in has changed. Most fare types lock in your seat at booking, so the 24-hour window no longer determines where you sit. Basic fare travelers are the exception: your seat gets assigned at check-in, and earlier check-in means more choices from what’s available.
Know your baggage costs before you arrive. Most passengers pay $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second as of April 2026. Checking your fare type and any elite status benefits at the time of booking prevents surprise charges at the counter and lets you add bags online in advance.
Keep your photo ID and confirmation number easy to access for faster check-in at any channel. For TSA PreCheck travelers, confirm your KTN is linked to your Rapid Rewards profile before your trip so the indicator prints on your boarding pass without any manual entry.
Checking In for International Flights
Southwest serves international destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The check-in process shares most steps with domestic travel but adds a few requirements that can delay you if you’re not prepared.
You must carry a valid passport book for international flights. Online and mobile check-in remain available, but you still need to present your passport to a Southwest Customer Service Agent or kiosk at the ticket counter on the day of travel before receiving your boarding pass. Plan to arrive at least two hours before departure to allow time for passport verification and any customs or immigration procedures at your destination.
What to Know Before Your Next Southwest Flight
Southwest’s check-in process now runs on assigned seating. For most fares, your seat is locked at booking, and the 24-hour check-in window is mainly about confirming your details and pulling up your boarding pass. Basic fare travelers still benefit from checking in promptly to get the best remaining seat assignment.
Baggage fees changed twice in under a year, landing at $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second as of April 2026. Know your fare type, check your elite or credit card status, and add bags online before reaching the airport. That step alone keeps the counter fast.
Linking your Rapid Rewards profile, adding your KTN for TSA PreCheck, and knowing your fare’s seat selection rules puts you ahead before you leave home. The logistics take five minutes to sort out in advance and save considerably more than that on the day of travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to check in to Southwest Airlines?
You need your confirmation number, ticket number, or Rapid Rewards number, plus a valid government-issued photo ID. For international flights, you must also present a valid passport book at the airport ticket counter before receiving your boarding pass.
When can I check in to Southwest Airlines?
Online and app check-in open 24 hours before your scheduled departure. Airport kiosks and ticket counter staff handle check-in when you arrive at the airport on the day of travel.
Does Southwest still use A, B, and C boarding groups?
No. Southwest replaced the A/B/C boarding group system with Groups 1 through 8 when assigned seating launched on January 27, 2026. Your group depends on your fare type, seat location, and Rapid Rewards status.
Is EarlyBird Check-In still available?
No. Southwest discontinued EarlyBird Check-In on January 26, 2026, as part of its transition to assigned seating. Priority Boarding is now the paid option for passengers who want an earlier boarding group on a given flight.
What are the current Southwest baggage fees?
As of April 9, 2026, Southwest charges $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second on Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares. A-List Preferred members, A-List members, Business Select passengers, and Rapid Rewards credit card holders receive free checked bag benefits, extending to up to eight companions on the same reservation.
What happens if I miss the check-in window?
For most fare types with assigned seating, missing the 24-hour online check-in window doesn’t change your seat. You can still check in at the airport. Basic fare holders who miss the window receive whatever seat assignments remain available at the time they check in.
Can I check in to Southwest Airlines at the airport?
Yes. Self-service kiosks and ticket counter staff handle check-in at the airport for all fare types. Basic fare travelers receive their seat assignment directly at the kiosk or counter during check-in.
References
- Assigned Seating — Southwest Airlines, 2026
- Online Check-In — Southwest Airlines Help Center
- Southwest Airlines Baggage Fees 2026 — Deep Arrival, 2026
- Southwest officially ends open seating — ABC News, January 2026
- TSA PreCheck Information — Southwest Airlines Help Center
- Adding Known Traveler Number — Southwest Airlines Help Center
- International Travel — Southwest Airlines