For a Southwest Airlines flight, it is important to check in as early as possible to get a good boarding position, since Southwest does not assign seats and instead uses an open seating policy. The earlier you check in, the better your boarding position, which gives you more choice when picking a seat on the plane. Southwest’s check-in opens exactly 24 hours before your scheduled departure time. That means if your flight is at 10:00 AM tomorrow, you can check in starting at 10:00 AM today. Checking in right at the 24-hour mark is the best way to get an earlier boarding group, especially Group A or early in Group B, which helps you find a better seat and have space for your carry-on bag. You can check in online at the Southwest Airlines website, through the Southwest mobile app, or at the airport. Online check-in and the mobile app are the most convenient options, and they allow you to get your boarding pass right away. If you are worried about forgetting to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight, you can purchase Southwest’s EarlyBird Check-In, which automatically checks you in 36 hours before departure. This gives you a better boarding position without having to remember to check in yourself, although it does not guarantee an A group spot. If you decide not to use EarlyBird, make sure to set a reminder or alarm to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight, because waiting even 10 or 15 minutes can put you in a later group. Besides checking in online, it is also important to know how early to arrive at the airport. For domestic flights within the United States, Southwest recommends arriving at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time. This allows enough time to check your bags, go through security, and get to your gate without feeling rushed. If you are traveling during a busy time, like holidays or early morning hours, you might want to arrive even earlier, just in case there are long lines. If you are flying internationally, Southwest recommends arriving at the airport at least three hours before departure. If you have bags to check, try to arrive with enough time to drop them off at least 45 minutes before your flight. Bags that are checked in late may not make it onto the flight. If you are only traveling with carry-on luggage and have already checked in online or through the app, you can go straight to the security line when you arrive. After passing through security, find your gate and listen for boarding announcements. Boarding usually begins about 30 minutes before the flight’s departure time. To sum it up, you should check in exactly 24 hours before your Southwest flight to get a better boarding position. Also, plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. Being early helps you avoid stress and gives you a smoother travel experience.