I'm confused by our family SW boarding postions

[ParrotBill]

Just flew Southwest to and from Orlando this week. There was no family boarding. Several families were separated by a few numbers and had to let others in front of them to stay together.

 

[maxiesmom]

Just flew Southwest to and from Orlando this week. There was no family boarding. Several families were separated by a few numbers and had to let others in front of them to stay together.

What was your home airport?

 

[ParrotBill]

What was your home airport?

Rochester NY

 

[DebbieB]

Just flew Southwest to and from Orlando this week. There was no family boarding. Several families were separated by a few numbers and had to let others in front of them to stay together.

How did that go? Were there families with B or C boarding that wanted to switch seats around to sit together?

 

[nkereina]

I've hard there's no hard and fast rule regarding family boarding, and that it's up to the gate agent. Perhaps 6 and under is a guideline SWA has, but leaves it up to the discretion of the gate agent. When I flew BUF to MCO and back in late October, it was 4 and under both ways. I've also flown prior to that where family boarding was announced with no age limit specified (BUF to MDW).

 

[Minnesota!]

Just flew Southwest to and from Orlando this week. There was no family boarding. Several families were separated by a few numbers and had to let others in front of them to stay together.

That has been our typical experience, out of MSP, with SW. No family boarding (I don't believe they had it on our San Diego flights, either...). Anywhere that is a family destination, they have, in my experience, skipped it due to too many families.

 

[KT0191]

That has been our typical experience, out of MSP, with SW. No family boarding (I don't believe they had it on our San Diego flights, either...). Anywhere that is a family destination, they have, in my experience, skipped it due to too many families.

I am afraid of that. We are flying from Indianapolis to MCO. It is just going to be me and my 3 year old...I didn't get EBCI because people assured me that I would get family boarding. I do plan on checking in right at the 24 hour mark so hopefully we get seats together. I couldn't really care less where we sit on the plane..as long as we are together. No way is he sitting away from me lol.

 

[kamik86]

I am afraid of that. We are flying from Indianapolis to MCO. It is just going to be me and my 3 year old...I didn't get EBCI because people assured me that I would get family boarding. I do plan on checking in right at the 24 hour mark so hopefully we get seats together. I couldn't really care less where we sit on the plane..as long as we are together. No way is he sitting away from me lol.

Just check in right at 24 mark and you should be fine. Since if they cancel it the B numbers become "better" positions and your only looking for two together you shouldn't have much problem unless your also picky on window vs aisle, what side of the plane your on or insisting on not being in the back half of the plane.

Or if you prefer to peace of mind you could still buy EBCI. You can do that up until 36 hours before the flight. You will be later in the EBCI order but still before any that didn't buy it.

 

[KT0191]

Just check in right at 24 mark and you should be fine. Since if they cancel it the B numbers become "better" positions and your only looking for two together you shouldn't have much problem unless your also picky on window vs aisle, what side of the plane your on or insisting on not being in the back half of the plane.

Or if you prefer to peace of mind you could still buy EBCI. You can do that up until 36 hours before the flight. You will be later in the EBCI order but still before any that didn't buy it.

I may end up adding the EBCI! We still have until September so hopefully there's still quite a few people who haven't gotten that yet. Kind of kicking myself that I didn't buy it when I bought tickets and now the price went up a few dollars but oh well. Like I said, position in the plane doesn't matter much at all (although my son would probably really want a window seat) but all I care about is sitting next to him Thank you for the advice!

 

[ibob52]

I didn't get EBCI because people assured me that I would get family boarding.

I agree with you ... people often state that they would not get EBCI because

they have never needed it. The thing is *not* all airports are the same.

Their advise would not work for me ... my home airport is SAN and the planes are usually 99% full.

I would suggest ... to those giving advise against purchasing EBCI ... please consider what works for

you is not ... a nation-wide-trend. Flying is = YMMV