For all of you who like to travel on Southwest Airlines, but have hated to wait in those boarding lines, so you could pick your favorite seat, they’ve come up with an answer. Pay more for your ticket and they will let you board first! It’s called “Business Select.” They will also give you a complimentary alcoholic beverage and extra credit points depending how far you fly.
As an example, if you are flying from Sacramento to Portland, the “Wanna Get Away” fares start at $49.00 each direction. Business Class is $146. and Business Select is $161. each direction. Business people will likely not mind this extra amount if it allows them the priviledge of not having to arrive 2 hours early and stand in line for 1 of those hours just to guarantee an aisle seat.
“Wanna Get Away” travelers can still go on line 24 hours before their departure and request a boarding pass that is lettered and numbered. For instance, A24 means that you get to board 24th in the A line. They explain it on their web site http://www.southwest.com
Just expect fewer and fewer of those cheap seats and more Business and Business Select fares to be available unless you purchase months in advance. But wait, you can only purchase about 4 months in advance with Southwest, so don’t plan too early.
