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Home » Southwest Airlines » The “Sweet” New Way To Reserve Seats On Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines

The “Sweet” New Way To Reserve Seats On Southwest Airlines

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 1, 2024December 31, 2023 45 Comments

a woman sitting in a plane

Apparently donuts can stand in for people when it comes to the free-for-all seating onboard Southwest Airlines. I call it a knavish trick but some may find it a shrewd way to maximize your chances for an open middle seat.

“Sweet Trick” (Donuts) As Your Key To Reserving Seats on Southwest Airlines

So a lady boarded her Southwest Airlines flight from Washington National (DCA) to Dallas Love (DAL) and placed three Dunkin’ Donuts bags down on the seats behind her.

Folks boarded and the plane filled up. Soon, only middle seats were available, though these three seats remained empty.

One snapped the picture above and posted it on Reddit, with the caption:

She lied to people who stopped to sit there while boarding telling them “they [all three] went to the bathroom”. They were among the last to board. There was only two of them.

SW attendant was only two rows back, obviously aware of the whole thing, and didn’t intervene at all.

I’m not sure it is the responsibility of flight attendant to intervene. The shrewd often take advantage of those who are not shrewd. It is up to us to be even more shrewd. But we should play by the rules. Society breaks down when too many people game the system.

There are a lot of ways to game the system on Southwest to maximize your chances of scoring a prime seat onboard. Requesting extra time to board (canes are under $10 on Amazon) or even just requesting a complimentary wheelchair at the airport can help bypass lines without having to pay for priority boarding. It pays to be a passenger of size. I do not condone such behavior, but it is so rampant that you cannot help but to notice it.

I write about these incidents to give you a heads up about how people manipulate. Hopefully, that will allow you to be prepared for when they do. Seats cannot be reserved on Southwest. Kind of hard for three people to be in the lavatory when there are only two lavatories in the back, right? I would have just taken the seat and thanked her for the free donut.

CONCLUSION

A woman reserved a whole row of seats for her two late boarding companions. Thus, while others who boarded earlier were resigned to middle seats, the late boarders ended up with a whole row to themselves thanks to three bags of donuts.

Maybe next time I’ll bring three diapers onboard and place one on each seat.

Oh sorry dear, my baby’s in the lavatory…

(Hat Tip: View From The Wing)

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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45 Comments

  1. RetiredATLATC Reply
    January 1, 2024 at 9:10 am

    “The shrewd often take advantage of those who are not shrewd”

    No, what you meant to say is those that don’t follow the generally prescribed WN boarding rules screw over the folks that follow the rules.

    It may be “shrewd” but it’s also a dick move.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 1, 2024 at 9:30 am

      I fully agree.

      • TT Reply
        January 5, 2024 at 2:33 am

        This is not always the case. I recently used Southwest Airlines. We were a family of seven we all boarded at the same time but once we took our sits my elderly mother and my niece decided to go to the lavatory. My mother and niece they left their purses on their seat but I was approached by two elderly couples who wanted to take their seats when I informed them those seats are taken the man stated “how can both of them go to the lavatory at the same time.” So please inform your readers that is not always the case. Your conclusion can create unnecessary conflict between travelers in Southwest Airlines. I personally prefer to travel with my assigned seat.

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          January 5, 2024 at 2:34 am

          Two people using two lavatories is very different than three people using two lavatories, wouldn’t you say?

    • Joe Reply
      January 7, 2024 at 2:27 am

      Now that southwest allows Super Fat to take up multiple seats at no extra charge everything becomes more complicated

  2. Dave Edwards Reply
    January 1, 2024 at 10:52 am

    Or don’t fly Southwest. Will never understand those who swear by them, in many cases they are more expensive than the Big 3. For a slightly better Spirit or Frontier style experience.

    Happy New Year Matt, may it be a great one for you and your family!

    • Summer Reply
      January 4, 2024 at 10:18 am

      We fly southwest and live it. We fly free most of the time. My husband has me as his “companion” I always fly free. We have been able to change our flights multiple times and they have always been courteous and friendly. What’s not to like? Every other airline we have had problems or they are very expensive.

      • Bob MacKay Reply
        January 5, 2024 at 8:41 pm

        Wrong. Most of the time Southwest is the same or even more expensive, than the lower tier coach prices on United, American, and Delta. Southwest has built a false perception, that they have cheap fares. Flying Southwest is like flying a Greyhound bus. There is a lower class of travelers on both Southwest and Greyhound. Southwest planes are dirty too. And they Southwest hardly ever ever EVER arrive on time.
        But cheap, stingy Americans who think they’re getting a “deal” (they’re usually not) keep Southwest in business

        • Barbara Swenson Reply
          January 7, 2024 at 9:51 am

          I fly SW because there is more leg room in their seats than other carriers. Being 6’2” tall, having those extra 1-2” makes a difference. Add that to the fact that you can bring 2 checked bags free and have free flight changes makes them in most cases the logical choice. I only fly 6-8 times a year though, so I’m definitely not a frequent flyer.

  3. Stuart Reply
    January 1, 2024 at 11:18 am

    Exactly why I refuse to fly WN other than when I absolutely need to and the flight is under an hour. It’s amazing to me that in 2024 they still cling on to this antiquated and awful system that worked fine when they were more shuttle flights that lasted an hour but creates idiocy like this on longer flights, which make up much of their system now.

    Even funnier is that people actually pay a premium for this nonsense. WN is actually as expensive or more in so many markets now.

  4. derek Reply
    January 1, 2024 at 11:28 am

    Maybe move the donuts?

  5. Joe Chivas Reply
    January 1, 2024 at 12:35 pm

    As a Black woman, she had every right to reserve those extra seat to atone for historical discrimination. Those crackers who are protesting are just racist.

    • Abe Reply
      January 1, 2024 at 5:58 pm

      You’re an ass ….

    • Carl Rice Reply
      January 3, 2024 at 3:01 pm

      It’s unfortunate that this is the way you seek attention. Did your parents not love you enough? Either you’re lying about beinblack and being stupid and racist, stupid, or are black and being stupid. You choose.

    • Summer Reply
      January 4, 2024 at 10:19 am

      Hahahaha

    • D Evans Reply
      January 4, 2024 at 3:00 pm

      Sorry, but there is no excuse for such behavior and screwing over others. BBB please remove your head from your a**

    • Lance Reply
      January 4, 2024 at 4:13 pm

      You need to learn to be respectful. Your parents must have taught you to use the racist card. Your color of your skin does not make you any better than anyone else.

    • Steve Reply
      January 6, 2024 at 9:45 pm

      Haha

  6. Robin Kelly Reply
    January 1, 2024 at 5:14 pm

    I definitely agree with Stuart. I have been told plainly you can’t sit here I’m saving these seats for my family. Also when standing in line the woman in front of me says what number are you? Then says oh I’m actually 5 spots back but I ain’t moving.
    Any airline that uses an honor system in this day and age is a joke!

  7. Tony N. Reply
    January 2, 2024 at 5:08 pm

    I would’ve thought, Hey, free donuts from Southwest! And sit down with them.
    No really, unassigned seating brings out some Selfish behavior in people.
    That’s one reason I don’t fly them.

  8. Dori Marshall Reply
    January 3, 2024 at 11:03 am

    So, what are the legitimate ways people get preferential seats?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 3, 2024 at 11:26 am

      Pay for Business Select.

  9. Bob Reply
    January 3, 2024 at 2:02 pm

    I fly Southwest frequently and prefer the aisle seats I would have just moved the bag of donuts and sat down, if the woman confronted me I would have politely explained that since there are only two lavatories all three of those people couldn’t all be gone to the bathroom plus you can’t reserve seats seating is open. If the woman wants to then press the issue she can talk to the flight attendant and or the pilot.

  10. Wheelchair Hustler Reply
    January 3, 2024 at 4:00 pm

    I am one of those that will reserve a wheelchair and I know I don’t look like I need the wheelchair but I do and will walk to the plane when it’s time to board. But I’m going to tell you like I’ve had to tell many others to not be so quick to judge because you don’t know what a persons issue may be. No I’m not old but I have arthritis in my knees and they are bone on bone so a lot of walking is not fun for me at times so I choose my battles and I’m suggesting that you choose yours before someone curses you out.

  11. V Reply
    January 3, 2024 at 5:46 pm

    On my last SWA flight, I saw a lady sprawled across 3 seats acting like she was sleeping…..awfully selfish entitled people these days….I think airline should charge her for 3 seats!

  12. jlderosa17 Reply
    January 3, 2024 at 6:40 pm

    You can also pay for early-bird check in. It’s $20 per flight. It gets you an earlier boarding position. Totally worth it to me.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 3, 2024 at 7:20 pm

      Yes – this should be what people use instead of buying a $7 cane on Amazon…

    • Kim Reply
      January 9, 2024 at 6:37 am

      People do but it’s common that only one person in the party buys it and then saves the seats for others. I think that if one person in the party buys it then the entire party has to.

  13. v Reply
    January 3, 2024 at 9:52 pm

    Two things can be true at once.
    There is no policy prohibiting the saving of seats.
    While boarding, you are free to sit in any seat that is not currently occupied.

  14. K Reply
    January 3, 2024 at 10:08 pm

    Wow, there’s a LOT of assuming in these comments about people in wheelchairs or with canes or crutches. I can’t say much about the person who held those seats with donuts for I do not claim to know her. But, I will gladly trade places with anyone who doesn’t have sciatica, narrowing of the spine and arthritis in my lower vertebrae (an injury from Snowmaggeddon of 2010 left me needing a wheelchair for long airport walks). Where all it takes it a sneeze in the wrong direction and it’s like a domino effect and the first of the three goes off, then the next and the next. Leaving me bed bound for sometimes up to two to three weeks at a time. The folks complaining about people needing more time to board do not pay one bill for me so they can complain all they want.

  15. VV Reply
    January 4, 2024 at 7:25 am

    I believe the issue with the fraudulent wheelchair hustlers is that they use the wheelchair to board but when they deplane they jump up and scurry off the plane. They only use the wheelchair to board to get preferred seating. Or, sitting in those WN seats for over an hour must work miracles. It’s sad people feel that they need to beat the system. I hope Karma visits them sooner than later.

  16. Elle Reply
    January 4, 2024 at 10:43 am

    I feel like this article is just stirring up drama and it’s not giving helpful information.

    Does it really matter that the lady wanted to save seats to sit with her family or friends? One of the seats being saved was a middle seat (no different from the other available seats) so you’ve dedicated an entire article to complaining about one unavailable aisle seat. Sure, she lied and that is WRONG but now I’m supposed to spend my time looking for liars during boarding and demand they move their donuts and give me the aisle seat? Then sit by a lady that hates me for taking the seat for an entire flight? Drama!

    Every airline has middle seats and someone is going to end up sitting there. On other airlines you find out that you are in a middle seat or that you’re not sitting with your traveling companions earlier by you viewing your seat reservation .
    On SWA, you realize it during boarding. It’s a bummer either way. Some people will get to sit together and others won’t.

    I’m not condoning the lady’s behavior but why spend my emotional energy on ii? Why do I need to be looking for possible wrong doing during boarding? Just find a seat, make yourself as comfortable as possible for a few hours, put on your noise canceling headphones and enjoy a free movie. Save the energy you’d spend on indignation and try to enjoy your trip.

    What goes around comes around and the lie will eventually catch up with that lady.

  17. Suzanne Reply
    January 4, 2024 at 11:17 am

    I travel every week so purchase business select, on my last flight there were 37 pre-boards. This is out of control!!! I will not continue to fly this airline unless they do something about it. I understand completely if they actually need to pre-board but it’s interesting that the flights that have assigned seats typically have less than 5.
    The entitled attitude of people is beyond belief,

    • D Evans Reply
      January 4, 2024 at 3:06 pm

      How many of the Reno’s do were family?

  18. Laura Bermudez Reply
    January 4, 2024 at 11:27 am

    I’ve experienced this several times with SW;I wrote to the airline. I was intimidated by the person who was saving 5 seats saying to one member of the party to make my flight hell. Sadly flight attendants do not enforce the rules.

  19. Laura Reply
    January 4, 2024 at 4:05 pm

    I was on a southwest flight. My number to board was one of the last numbers. When I boarded there was a row with a man and woman seated. I ask them if I could sit in the isle seat and they said it was taken. It was a full flight and the stewardess was watching. She came over and told them that I was going to sit there. It made me very uncomfortable for the entire flight.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 4, 2024 at 4:06 pm

      Good for the flight attendant!

  20. Ronnie Reply
    January 5, 2024 at 1:47 pm

    People do this all the time this is why it is hard to trust people…my sister saw a window seat she wanted the lady said her friend went to the bathroom my sister said well ill just sit there until she returns…when the lady finally arrived in the last group on a full flight she took the middle seat and my sisaid I thought you said she was in the bathroom I guess she used the one on the terminal…she said it plain and clear first come first serve I’m taking that seat

  21. Jessie Reply
    January 5, 2024 at 4:19 pm

    As someone who isn’t “condoning such behavior” informing people that “canes are under $10 on Amazon” isn’t helping anything.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 5, 2024 at 5:08 pm

      I just think it’s ridiculous how easy it is to feign industry.

  22. Kem Reply
    January 7, 2024 at 9:23 pm

    The families are as bad as the elderly scammers. There is no reason healthy grade school.kids need to board early and get premium seats. I watched one kid save a row for his “grandmother” and then some hot influencer type sat down next to him. If families want to sit together, spring for early bird check in. Not hard. People in A. B and C board in sequence. Maybe let active military go first. And the “disabled”? If they board early they should sit in the back and deplane last. That would be the most convenient for everyone. And if they are truly disabled they should understand that makes sense.

  23. Gregory Reply
    January 7, 2024 at 9:27 pm

    Never happened to me as I sit in any seat not occupied. Eff them and the horse they rode in on. The savers have moved on.

  24. Christ Reply
    January 8, 2024 at 2:03 am

    I’d definitely choose the seats with free donuts!! Honestly I’m just joking, I probably would have moved
    Along and not said anything. 27 flights with sw last year so I deal with this and pre boarding often. It can definitely get annoying.

    Oh well…. At least I have A-list for 2024.

  25. Brenda Logan Reply
    January 8, 2024 at 7:44 am

    You could always sit down and say. Will just check tickets when they get here and see when they boarded?

  26. Bob Baker Reply
    May 9, 2024 at 3:12 pm

    I would have sat on the donuts and said “Oh, I’m sorry”.

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