Did I do the right thing?

[MidwestMulan]

We are headed to WDW in August from MN. We originally were going to drive- 2-3 days each way, but yesterday found airfare roundtrip for $220 a piece on SWA. Booked immediately as the price was outstanding! However now reading some feedback on SWA wondering if we did the right thing... just need some assurance. We are a family of 4 and as long as I can sit next to our 4 year old DD, I'm OK if my DH and DS sit apart. (I also figure if someone else wants to listen to my 10 year old talk for 3 hours straight and who once in awhile gets air sick then that is their problem.) Any thoughts?

 

[Minnesota!]

We fly SWA out of HHH all the time...never an issue. I wouldn't sweat it. Did you do EBCI?

 

[Minnesota!]

Also, looks like our trips will overlap Nice way to end up the summer!!!

 

[MidwestMulan]

Have not booked EBCI yet, but was wondering whether I should since we should get family boarding with our 4 year old. If we did would probably just do it for my DD and me. Have you found EBCI makes a difference?

 

[grimley1968]

That is indeed a great price. I love SWA. On top of that you save several days of driving (counting the round trip).

 

[rwdavis2]

As long as you check in right at the 24 hour mark you and your 4yo should have no problem sitting together.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You did the right thing. If you want piece of mind I would get the EBCI option. That is a great price.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

We fly SWA out of HHH all the time

HHH is an actual airport code, for Hilton Head, South Carolina. I imagine you talking about Minneapolis' airport, right?

 

[maurene]

I don't think you'll have any problems sitting with your DD.

I know this to be true (and have never had any issues with this) but I still fret about this every single time I fly with my kids on SW. I guess I'm just a worry-er. I so much prefer having assigned seats but SW fares are usually lower.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We've been flying SWA since my ds, almost 15 now, was 5. We're a family of 4 and never been separated. We either check in at t-24 or buy early bird if t-24 is an inconvenient time or place for us.
Compared to 4 days of driving it will be dreamy.

 

[Carriemel]

I think she was talking about HHH - the Hubert H Humphrey terminal of MSP...

HHH is an actual airport code, for Hilton Head, South Carolina. I imagine you talking about Minneapolis' airport, right?

 

[goofy4tink]

Contrary to what so e posters say, seating on SW flights is not a big issue. You should be able to board in the family boarding group, between the A and B groups. You should be able to find 4 seats together toward the rear of the plane you could put a child on either side of you Ina row of three seats, and then dh can take the aisle seat across from your row.

 

[Minnesota!]

Have not booked EBCI yet, but was wondering whether I should since we should get family boarding with our 4 year old. If we did would probably just do it for my DD and me. Have you found EBCI makes a difference?

. Just a heads up...no flight I have been on.out of here on SWA has offered family boarding because there are so many families on that route. I think if you don't buy, you should still be OK as long as you check in right at 24 out..

HHH is an actual airport code, for Hilton Head, South Carolina. I imagine you talking about Minneapolis' airport, right?

. HHH is also a terminal at MSP.

 

[Monykalyn]

We've never had a problem getting kids by one of the parents on Southwest. If you are concerned go ahead and get the EBCI for you and the younger one- and check in at 24 with your DH and other child. We did check in at <24 hours flight home last year and we still got 3 seats/2seats together for our family of five (one row apart) coming out of MCO.** I do think things tend get rather exaggerated on some boards and reviews-remember you are reading the extremes of peoples experiences
Have a fun trip!

 

[bbak30]

You should be fine! I would also do EBCI so your family can sit together. Have a great time!

 

[Arden01]

I think you'll be fine. We were in the same boat - planned on driving from NJ in August, but found flights on SWA for about $230 a piece and booked them. Even though the flights aren't direct, it's still a lot less time than driving (4-6 hours vs. 20+ hours driving!) We paid for the EBCI just for piece of mind.

 

[CarolMN]

We often fly SWA to MCO from MSP.

I am online at the 24 hour mark for the departure flight out of MSP to print boarding passes and have always received the A-group.

But I do buy EBCI for the return flight, MCO - MSP. I do not want to worry about checking in 24 hours in advance when I am at Disney. Also, it is not uncommon for the MCO agents to skip family boarding since there are so many families.

MidwestMulan - you got a very good price & IMO, it will be so worth it to avoid a 2-3 day drive. Spring for the extra $50 to get EBCI for the return flight. You'll be glad you did.

 

[soniam]

We have never had problems getting DS next to one of us on SWA. The flights out of Austin get really busy too. DH even forgot to checkin online until way after. I think we were in the 3rd boarding group, on a full flight, and the 3 of us still sat next to each other. I like SWA. I find them to be one of the friendliest, accommodating airlines. If they didn't have so many stops to a lot of places on the coasts and back east, we would fly them more often.

 

[MrsNuke]

RE: the price you paid? SCORE!

Check in at 24 hours and you will be just fine. Congratulations! I only WISH we had prices like that from Nashville!

 

[meredith13]

We fly SW all of the time with no issues, but we always do EBCI. Either way, as long as you check in 24 hrs before, you will be fine.
The only issue you might encounter is if you have a connecting flight along the way- when you change planes, the plane you get on May already have people on it, making it harder to find seats together. The good news is that if there are not two seats available next to each other, the flight attendants will usually ask for volunteers to switch seats if a child is involved. I have been on flights where nobody wanted to, so then they offer bribes like free drinks, and finally the FA got back on the mic and said "in case you didn't realize, this plane isn't going anywhere until this child is sitting with his mom"