Does checking in early help get better seats?

Do you get a better seat if you check-in early?

Do I get a better seat checking in early? I think about it sometimes.

It’s quiet now. Early check-in. Yeah, a wider choice. That’s the thing, right?

• You see, I always go for the window. Gotta see something. Anything. Like on that flight to Boston last spring. Clouds mostly.

Aisle seats, though… easy to get up. I get that.

Upgrades? Huh. Maybe it helps. Who knows for sure? Like when Dad used to fly for work, always chasing miles.

• Remember him? Always in a rush. Maybe that’s why I hesitate.

Is there an advantage to checking in early for a flight?

The hushed anticipation. Airport. Rows of silent faces. A yearning for the open sky. Early check-in. Ah, yes. A sanctuary of calm before the storm.

The coveted window seat. Mine. Secured. Because I checked in early. This small victory. A triumph against the chaos. My heart beats slower, steadier. Time stretches, languid.

Peace of mind. A balm for the soul. The frantic rush of others. Their stressed faces, a blur. I watch from a serene distance. My boarding pass. A talisman.

This extra time. A luxury. A slow sip of coffee, the cool ceramic in my hand. The quiet hum of the airport. A symphony of controlled movement. The gentle rhythm of my breath. Pure bliss.

• Better seat selection: Guaranteed. No more cramped middle seats.
• Reduced stress: No last-minute scramble. No panic.
• Airport exploration: Time to wander. To browse the shops. To savour the pre-flight anticipation.

The feeling is irreplaceable. A quiet confidence. Early check-in. The secret weapon. A smooth and unhurried journey awaits. The sheer joy of knowing I am prepared. I’m at peace.

Do you get better boarding if you check-in early?

Ugh, Southwest. Dallas to Denver, last fall. Flight was packed. Checked in exactly 24 hours before. Still got C boarding. Middle seat. Barely room for my backpack. Remember that annoying kid kicking my seat? My bad mood started right then. Should have paid for Business Select. Live and learn, right? Ugh.

• Early check-in does not guarantee good boarding.
• Helps, but no guarantees on ‘A’ boarding.
• Denver flight, fall 2023, C boarding. 24-hour check-in.
• Overhead bin space was tight.
• Middle seat nightmare. Never again.
• Consider Business Select next time. Worth the extra cash.
• Annoying kid. Kicking. My seat. Ugh.
• Dallas to Denver. Always full.
• Backpack barely fit.
• 24-hour check in is key. But still… C group.
• Business Select… remember that.

Is there any disadvantage to checking in early?

Checked in early once for a flight to Denver, total disaster. My phone died, no boarding pass. Stuck. Had to get it reprinted, such a hassle. Ugh. Also, if your plans change, you’re kinda screwed. Like that time I booked a cheapie flight to see my sister in Chicago, had to cancel last minute. Lost the whole dang thing. Non-refundable. Lesson learned. Different airlines, different rules, tho. Southwest is pretty chill, I think. Spirit? Good luck. With any airline, you gotta check their policies. Always. Especially if your ticket is basic economy or whatever. Those are like, the worst. No changes, no refunds, no nothin’. Once you’re in, you’re in. It’s a gamble. Also once I checked in super early, had like, five hours to kill at LAX. So boring. Seriously. Almost missed my flight cause I was so zonked from waiting around. So, yeah, check in early, but… think about it.

• Phone dying/losing boarding pass: Always have a backup, screenshot it, or use the app. Duh.
• Non-refundable tickets: If you gotta cancel, check in early just makes it harder.
• Airline policies vary: Double check, seriously. Especially for basic economy. So restrictive.
• Airport boredom: Checking in super early can mean hours of waiting. No fun.

My sister lives in Lincoln Park, by the way. Great area. Love visiting her. Denver trip was for a concert. Red Rocks. Amazing venue. Highly recommend. LAX is… well, it’s LAX.

Do seats get allocated at check in?

Ugh, flying Spirit Airlines last July to visit my sister in Orlando. Total nightmare. Online check-in, right? They don’t assign seats unless you pay extra. Seriously. I learned this the hard way. My heart sank. I’d envisioned a window seat, nice and peaceful.

So there I was, at the gate, a stressed-out mess. People were everywhere, shoving and pushing. It felt like a cattle car, not an airplane. I ended up crammed in the middle, next to a snoring guy who spilled his lukewarm soda all over my bag.

Total disaster. I was so mad! I paid for my flight, why didn’t they just give me a seat? Ridiculous. The whole process felt cheap and unfair. You’d think basic seating would be included.

Here’s the breakdown of my experience:

• Airline: Spirit Airlines.

• Date: July 2024 (yes, this year!)

• Flight: Orlando, Florida.

• Seat Selection: Absolutely none unless you fork over extra cash.

• Check-in Experience: Chaotic and stressful. Felt like a fight for survival.

• Final Thoughts: Spirit Airlines is cheap, but the added costs totally outweigh it. I’ll spend the extra money next time and fly a different airline, even if it’s more expensive! Never again!

  This whole thing taught me a lesson: always read the fine print. And always, always pay for a seat assignment if you value your sanity. And don’t fly Spirit Airlines unless you’re okay with potential seatless hell.