Age limit for family boarding on Southwest?

[katie111]

Just checked in for our flight tomorrow and we are in group B. Haven't flown SW in awhile & just wondering how old your child must be in order to do family check-in? I'll be traveling alone with my kids ages 4, 8 & 9. I thought I read "under 4" somewhere but then I thought I saw "4 & under" in another post.

Thanks!

 

[PrincessMommy09]

Copied from the Southwest website:

An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs between the "A" and "B" boarding groups. However, those Customers holding an "A" boarding pass should still board with the "A" boarding group. With an all-jet fleet outfitted with comfortable, leather seats, our families traveling with small children are easily accommodated together

 

[mb187143]

Just checked in for our flight tomorrow and we are in group B. Haven't flown SW in awhile & just wondering how old your child must be in order to do family check-in? I'll be traveling alone with my kids ages 4, 8 & 9. I thought I read "under 4" somewhere but then I thought I saw "4 & under" in another post.

Thanks!

depending on where you're flying from, you and your 4 year old can board together during family boarding, or they may let all four of you board together during family boarding. The gate attendants aren't very consistent about the way they enforce that from airport to airport. Even if you choose not to though, you should be able to sit with or near each other (as in you and your 4 year old together in row and maybe your 8&9 year old together across from/in front of/or behind you. I've only ever seen problems sitting together when people are in the C group, and even then, it was rare. I would ask the gate attendant when you get to the gate - explain your situation and ask if you can all do family boardng, and then make your decision. Since family boarding is between A and B, depending on your B #s, you may just decide to board in your group. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Technically SWA does not have to let the older children board with you, but IME the letter of the rule and the rule in practice are normally not the same.

I fly SWA frequently, and in practice I have never seen a situation where a nuclear family consisting of one adult and multiple minor children was told that some of the children would have to wait and board separately as long as at least one child was no older than four. I've never had a GA deny my DS the opportunity to board with DD and me, even though he is taller than I am -- he's 14 and looks it.

If there are two adults travelling in the party, then yes, I've seen the older kids left back with one of the parents if there are lots of families on the flight, but when only one adult is present, my experience has always been that any kids who are obviously too young to drive are going to be allowed to preboard with their parent and sibling. Older teens perhaps not.

 

[goofy4tink]

Family boarding is not something that you can count on happening, all the time, at every airport. If there are a lot of families doing 'family boarding' the gate attendents may very well not allow anyone to board this way.
In all reality, being in the B group isn't horrible. Yes, you won't get seated in the very front of the plane, but that isn't going to happen with family boarding either. If you board in your B group, just head to the back of the plane...you should be able to find a clear row, with an aisle seat next to it.