Have you ever boarded a Southwest Airlines plane and noticed people relaxing in the front row with lots of leg room and wished it could be YOU in those seats?  I sure have.

Flying on Southwest Airlines is very enjoyable. I love the fact that I can check two bags of luggage at no extra fee.   I like the fact that we are all passengers, there is no “first class.”

Recently I was able to garner one of those front row seats.  My husband and I were all excited to have the extra leg room and to feel like we could spread out a bit.  Then we realized there are pros and cons to that front row seat.

Front Row Seat Pros

• Lots of Leg Room.   With my legs stretched out I couldn’t touch the wall in front of us.
• You’re the first one off the plane.  This is especially important if you have a connecting flight.
• You are near the front restroom. And you don’t have to fall over someone trying to get out of your seat to get there.
• You are normally served drinks and snacks first. (Yes, Southwest still serves free soft drinks, juices, and snacks.)

Front Row Seat Cons

• You can’t put your carryons under your seat.   All carry-ons have to go in the overhead bins.  Which for the most part isn’t a problem but everything has to go there.  There is no seat in front of you to put anything under and you can’t put it under the seat you are sitting in because it takes the person in the next row’s space.
• If space is needed for disabled or injured passengers you will be asked to move.   Ask me how I know this!  Handicapped are loaded first.  But if you have a flight that stops and goes on for another leg, when they start loading again there may be more handicapped passengers coming on the plane and you will have to move.
• Some Have No Tray Table.  So when you get your free drink, you have nowhere to set it.  You have to hold it and juggle it with your snack.  Some planes have tray tables in the armrests, but ours did not.  So you can’t count on them.

So there you have it the pros and cons of that coveted front row seat.

If you are like me you might be wondering how in the world you ever get one of those front row seats in the first place.

How to Get a Front Row Seat

If you are in the A 1-40 group you have a good chance.     Many people will bypass the seat in that group for the above reasons.  But once you get to the end of that group someone will have those seats.

The best way to get in the A 1 – 40 group, if a couple is flying is to purchase Early-Checkin or if you have priority boarding.

The front row seat is roomier and we were very comfortable sitting there, but I missed the tray and my bag close for munchies and my book, etc.   Now you can make an informed decision as to whether that front seat is right for you.