Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

I've only flown southwest for years. I know I'm supposed to print out the tickets exactly 24hours before the flight departs. I usually always get "A".

I know other airlines board kids and handicapped first. How does it work with Southwest? Do they still board before "A" or is it after "A"?

I hope southwest fliers kwim!

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

I believe you get to board first still.

I just booked our flight to TX the other day, I had to call to tell them I was bringing an infant. He still has to be registered on the flight. I also have to bring his birth certificate to prove he is under 2 (not like they can't tell )

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Posted by DPerotti

I believe you get to board first still.

I just booked our flight to TX the other day, I had to call to tell them I was bringing an infant. He still has to be registered on the flight. I also have to bring his birth certificate to prove he is under 2 (not like they can't tell )

Message edited 8/12/2010 2:09:51 PM.

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Posted by DPerotti

I believe you get to board first still.

I just booked our flight to TX the other day, I had to call to tell them I was bringing an infant. He still has to be registered on the flight. I also have to bring his birth certificate to prove he is under 2 (not like they can't tell )

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

It's my understanding that families now board after A group.

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Posted by carissa1643

Posted by Porrruss

It's my understanding that families now board after A group.

Can we board with A if I get in that group?

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Posted by Porrruss

Posted by carissa1643

Posted by Porrruss

It's my understanding that families now board after A group.

Can we board with A if I get in that group?

Of course!

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

You dont need to call Southwest regarding the infant. When you check in with your photo ID, you will be required to show the childs birth certificate. They will then give you a boarding pass for the lap child.

If you get group A, you board with group A. If you get any other group, you can board with the child before B boards.

HTH



Also, if you are taking your stroller to the gate, you will need to get a stroller tag. When you arrive at the gate they will issue it there.

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

southwest - A's board first then parents with young kids

so try to get the A boarding

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Posted by carissa1643

Posted by DPerotti

I believe you get to board first still.

I just booked our flight to TX the other day, I had to call to tell them I was bringing an infant. He still has to be registered on the flight. I also have to bring his birth certificate to prove he is under 2 (not like they can't tell )

My mother bought the tickets online. I dont think she registered the baby. I guess we should call about that?

ETA: When are you flying?

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Posted by carissa1643

Posted by DPerotti

I believe you get to board first still.

I just booked our flight to TX the other day, I had to call to tell them I was bringing an infant. He still has to be registered on the flight. I also have to bring his birth certificate to prove he is under 2 (not like they can't tell )

My mother bought the tickets online. I dont think she registered the baby. I guess we should call about that?

ETA: When are you flying?

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Posted by DPerotti

Posted by carissa1643

Posted by DPerotti

I believe you get to board first still.

I just booked our flight to TX the other day, I had to call to tell them I was bringing an infant. He still has to be registered on the flight. I also have to bring his birth certificate to prove he is under 2 (not like they can't tell )

My mother bought the tickets online. I dont think she registered the baby. I guess we should call about that?

ETA: When are you flying?

Sorry, I posted and ran.

Yes, I had to call about Joey and add him.

I'm flying in October. Scared!!! haha

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

You can pay an extra 10 dollars per person and be guaranteed seating in the A group. Worth it IMO.

The way I just saw them do it last month was that they call families with small children with A passes first - then the regular A group - then families with small children who aren't in A..

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Just another tip bring a copy of DC's birth certificate with you as verification. Have fun!

ETA: When you gate check the stroller ask the attendant at the counter at the gate to put a tag on the stroller so you can pick it up at the gate at your destination. If you have to change, they can check it to that gate and then your final destination. Hope that makes sense!

Message edited 8/12/2010 3:11:27 PM.

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Is your DS sitting on your lap or does he have his own seat?

We're flying in Sept on Southwest, and we got DS his own seat. We had to mail them a copy of his birth certificate in advance and register him in order to pre-board and print out our tickets at home.

We also paid the extra $10 to automatically preboard and not have to sit at the computer exactly 24 hrs in advance. Due to the option to pay for preboarding, it's getting harder and harder to get an A boarding pass.

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

We are currently in Disney and took Southwest down. We lucked out and got group A, but the end of group A. They did not board Families with Children first, not even families with children who had group A.

Families with children were boarded in between groups A and B.

It really was a pain because we had 3 carry ons, 2 kids and 2 car seats. I seriously smacked someone in the head with the car seat because about 60 people boarded before us and they filled up the first couple of rows. I like that Jetblue (which we usually take to FL) still boards famililes first.

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

You have to call and let them know about the infant. Bring either a copy of the birth certificate or a copy of vacinations.
You board after A.

I have to fly to fla next month-and I'm taking SW down (JetBlue returning) and so I had to call and ask these questions.

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

wow. I'm going to have to really remember to check in the night before!!! I usually forget!!

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Re: Flying Southwest, How does it work with kids?

Here's a little something about Early Bird checkin on the Southwest website.

EarlyBirdCheckin

(Now I hope I'm not giving away any good travelling secrets!!)