Can someone educate me on Southwest?

[familyfirsttimer]

I have never used them and I have downloaded the DING so I can watch for great fares but here is my question: I have heard that there is no assigned seating, just by zone (I think). Can you tell me if that is true and if so, how did you handle flying with small kids. It will be me, DH, DD7 and DD4. Perhaps it is not worth the good rates if I can not be sure to sit with my kids.

Any info you can give me is really appreciated.

LOVE THESE BOARDS!!!!!!! Not really sure how I functioned in life without them....

 

[mom2of2]

I only fly Southwest anymore.
You are correct, there is no assign seating but really it's not a problem. 24 hours prior to your flight you can check in online and print out your boarding passes. They go in order A B C.
I have flown numerous times with my kids and I have always had 1 adult 1 child per row.
Some people don't like the cattle seating but honestly as long as you print out your passes in advance you will be fine.
My airports of choice are PHL and MCO both very busy airports

 

[Cinderella2004]

You're right, there is no assigned seating. This ALWAYS freaks me out. With cause??? NOPE. There's only 3 of us but we've never been split up. And we've flown SW a number of times.

You can check in on-line 24 hours before your flight, which assigns you a zone, usually A. So you load first, after the pre-boards. Since you have a 4 year old you may even qualify to pre-board, but I can't remember the exact age cut-off. Even when we have A, we get in line as soon as we get to the airport.

As far as the return trip, we had my sister check us in online at home. When we got to the airport, we just asked them to print our boarding passes again.

Also, even if you do get split up, the FA are very good about asking people if they mind switching seats to keep your family together.

Go for it!!!! Especially if you get a DING! they are unbelievable!!!

 

[clkelley]

Go online 24 hours ahead of your flight and check in, you will get an "A" boarding pass.

Arrive at the airport early. Once you get to your gate, you will see four sets of lines. One marked "Pre-Board", one marked "A", one marked "B", one marked "C".

Since one of your children is 4 years old, you "might" be able to get in the preboard line. Ask the gate agent. Sometimes they raise the age limit for Orlando flights since there are usually LOTS of children.

If you can, then you are set. The pre-boards with young children will board right after the disabled pre-boards.

If you can't, then get in the A line, and you should have no trouble getting four seats together, maybe not in the front of the plane, but a few rows back.

Hope this helps.

 

[onyx8]

If you have a 4 year old with you, you can preboard the aircraft. Your family will be among the first to board, regardless of whether you have A, B or C boarding passes. FAA regulations state that passengers under the age of 5 must be seated with their accompanying adult.

 

[dpayne1969]

trust me i would go with SW.I booked Delta for the same reasons you mentioned and i am kicking myself in the rear now.I booked Delta for convenience of Nonstop plus we got to pick our seating.Now look i am stressed out to the MAX!I would fly SW on the toilet if i could do it over again!!