Do Parents Traveling With Kids Get On Southwest Airlines Early?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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In fact,

Southwest does not assign seats in advance at all

. While Southwest’s open-seating policy is unusual compared to other U.S. airlines, it works to the advantage of some young families, especially if you are hoping to score a free open seat for your lap baby.

Can an airline sit a child away from parent?

That changed on December 15, 2019, when Phase 2 of the federal government’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations came into effect. Under these new rules,

airlines have to help seat children under the age of 14 close to their parent, guardian or tutor, at no extra cost and at the earliest opportunity.

Who gets early boarding on Southwest?


Elite status members

get upgraded boarding after Business Select. Purchase upgraded boarding. Be ready to pay $30, $40 or $50 to board your plane sooner.

Do I need a birth certificate for my child to fly Southwest?


Age verification for Infant/Child fares will require a copy or original of any government-issued ID, such as a birth certificate or passport, for their Infant/Child

. At that time, the date of birth in your Rapid Rewards® or Southwest account will be updated to indicate that age has been verified.

What is EarlyBird check in Southwest?

EarlyBird Check-In

®


Customers will have their boarding positions reserved beginning 36 hours prior to their flight’s scheduled local departure time

. Boarding Passes can be accessed beginning 24 hours prior to the flight’s scheduled local departure time.

Does Southwest board Handicapped first?

Re: Disabled seating


Southwest allows passengers with disabilities to preboard, meaning you board the plane before everyone else

. You’ll definitely be able to sit next to each other so there’s no need to worry about it.

How do you get family boarding on Southwest?

To use this option, just

stand near where the Ops Agent (ticket taker) is calling people to line up and board

. Stand away from the line and out of the way. The Ops Agent will call for families with kids 6 and under to board after all the A Group folks have gone in. Then you just go on up and hand in your boarding pass.

Can my wife board with me on Southwest?


If you are A List with a fellow traveler on the same reservation/booking as you, they will get a boarding position with you and can board with you

. It is automatic.

What age can a child sit alone on a plane?

How old does a child have to be to fly alone? Most airlines allow children to travel alone using an unaccompanied minor service from

5 years

. Depending on the airline, minors may travel without assistance from 12, 14, 16, or 18 years.

Can a 2 year old have their own seat on an airplane?


Children 2 or older are required to have their own seat

, a ticketed adult fare. Children under 5 can’t travel alone under any circumstances.

At what age can a child sit alone on a plane?

Most U.S. airlines will permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied. Kids ages

5 through 11

who are flying alone must usually travel pursuant to special “unaccompanied minor” procedures. On some airlines, these procedures are required for unaccompanied children as old as 14.

Does Southwest Airlines require Covid test?

Submit an attestation (written documentation) to the U.S. Government, through Southwest®, that you are COVID-19 negative or have recently recovered from COVID-19.

Each Passenger will be required to submit a form after receiving proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before your departure

.

Do kids fly free on Southwest?

One child over 14 days and under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may be carried free of charge when traveling with an adult (12 years of age or older). Although a boarding pass is not required for the infant, you will need a Boarding Verification Document.

How much is a child fare on Southwest?

If your child is ready to fly as an unaccompanied minor, Southwest’s policies are some of the best. What is this? Southwest charges only

$50 each way

, while many other airlines charge triple that! And Southwest only charges for 5-11 year olds.

Does checking in early get you a better seat on Southwest?

Without paying for early check-in, it’s usually the case that

the earlier you check in for a Southwest flight, the better your boarding spot will be

. That’s why many passengers check in at the earliest possible moment: precisely 24 hours before the flight’s scheduled departure.

Does Early Bird automatically check you in?


Passengers who have purchased EarlyBird Check-In are automatically checked in for their flight starting at 36 hours before departure

. Passengers do NOT have to perform self-check-in at 24 hours if they purchase EarlyBird.

Is Early Bird worth?

If you have the budget to consider buying EarlyBird Check-In,

it might be worth it in a few cases

. First, EarlyBird Check-In might be worth it if the flight you are taking is especially long, making seat selection more valuable, such as on a Southwest flight to Hawaii.

Can I bring my own wheelchair on Southwest Airlines?

If needed

the personal chair can usually be brought onto the plane

. Usually it is brought to the door of the aircraft. An aisle chair can be used if needed while on the aircraft.

Which airline is best for handicapped travelers?

  1. Qantas. As the flag carrier to Australia, Qantas Airways has made significant strides in making air travel accessible to persons with reduced mobility. …
  2. American Airlines. …
  3. Air Canada. …
  4. Delta Airlines. …
  5. JetBlue. …
  6. Virgin Atlantic. …
  7. Emirates.

Can you fly with oxygen on Southwest?


Southwest is not equipped to transport or provide medical oxygen

or other hazardous materials and/or contained gas as a carryon, as cargo, or as checked baggage.

Do Southwest companions have to check-in?


Your companion must check in separately

Since Southwest doesn’t have seat assignments, you board based on the boarding number shown on your boarding pass. Southwest will allow you to start checking in for your flight 24 hours in advance and the earlier you check in, the better the boarding number you’ll have.

Can family board with a list on Southwest?

That’s why we’re spreading the love of one of our most-coveted A-List and A-List Preferred perks. Starting March 12,

anyone on a reservation with an A-List or A-List Preferred Member can board when they do

. * That means everyone on the same reservation gets to board together and pick their seat earlier.

Does a list companion get priority boarding?


Only A-List and A-List Preferred Members will receive priority boarding

. Any change is made to an existing reservation within 36 hours of a scheduled flight. One or more Passengers travels standby on a different flight than what was originally confirmed.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.