Post all SW questions concerns, etc. here...

[EACarlson]

Question for experienced flyers, I just read that if a flight is oversold or they need to bump people around they will sometimes refund seats for children under two and make parents have them as a lap child. Is this true? And does Southwest do this?

I've never heard that one before. I would think under DOT rules you'd be eligible for Involuntary Denied Boarding which is 4x the one way flight cost plus some other things and something almost never done anymore. Once you pay for a seat you have the seat. Can you link me to the source where you read this?

 

[FCDub]

I'm just trying to avoid the whole chaos of family boarding...really the only reason we bought early bird. Family boarding gives me so much anxiety since its not exactly orderly. We tried it last trip and I hated it so much. I knew there could be chances where early bird could land us into B category but I didn't anticipate this situation!

So here is what I, me, personally, would do:

You and your son stand at A60, with your husband behind you. As you approach the boarding agent, literally say “we have A57 and A60 and would like to use family boarding to board with my husband who has B02”

They might wave you all through with the As. They might start family boarding right there, with your group as the first group. Either way, you are doing the correct thing and boarding with the worst number (in this case superseded by family boarding) rather than asking for a special exception for everyone to board in the As.

It’s splitting hairs, but I’m cognizant that these employees get asked to many special exceptions so many times every single day and are likely so sick of it.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

So here is what I, me, personally, would do:

You and your son stand at A60, with your husband behind you. As you approach the boarding agent, literally say “we have A57 and A60 and would like to use family boarding to board with my husband who has B02”

They might wave you all through with the As. They might start family boarding right there, with your group as the first group. Either way, you are doing the correct thing and boarding with the worst number (in this case superseded by family boarding) rather than asking for a special exception for everyone to board in the As.

It’s splitting hairs, but I’m cognizant that these employees get asked to many special exceptions so many times every single day and are likely so sick of it.

Your suggestion is literally what I want to do but just wanted to ask in advance when we go get our gate check tag for the stroller instead of holding up the line. All I want to do is avoid getting in that family boarding line. If it’s a no, I’ll just board with my son first. I’m not going to throw a tantrum if they say no.

 

[LadybugsMum]

I would just board with your son and put a jacket or backpack or some personal item in between and have your husband board with the B group.

 

[sandam1]

I just read that if a flight is oversold or they need to bump people around they will sometimes refund seats for children under two and make parents have them as a lap child. Is this true? And does Southwest do this?

Southwest doesn't overbook flights and hasn't for many years.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Southwest doesn't overbook flights and hasn't for many years.

Thank you! I've only flown once that I actually remember and didn't have a kiddo to worry about then. I read that and panicked a bit

So they wouldn't resell a seat if they needed to move people after cancelling flights? I'm worried that if things continue with cancellations that could happen.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I've never heard that one before. I would think under DOT rules you'd be eligible for Involuntary Denied Boarding which is 4x the one way flight cost plus some other things and something almost never done anymore. Once you pay for a seat you have the seat. Can you link me to the source where you read this?

That makes me feel a lot better! It came up in a facebook group discussion where a family was moved onto a different flight after theirs was cancelled and they were separated from their children (assigned seating, not Southwest). Someone else mentioned that airlines may refund a ticket to children under two if they need more seats for adults, with cancellations I was concerned since my kiddo is under two. We want her in her carseat and I definitely would not be okay with it getting put in cargo, so was worried.

It was just something I stumbled on, and of course I can't find it now. I don't put a lot of stock in things I read on facebook, but since I know so little about flying came here to ask.

 

[sandam1]

That makes me feel a lot better! It came up in a facebook group discussion where a family was moved onto a different flight after theirs was cancelled and they were separated from their children (assigned seating, not Southwest). Someone else mentioned that airlines may refund a ticket to children under two if they need more seats for adults, with cancellations I was concerned since my kiddo is under two. We want her in her carseat and I definitely would not be okay with it getting put in cargo, so was worried.

It was just something I stumbled on, and of course I can't find it now. I don't put a lot of stock in things I read on facebook, but since I know so little about flying came here to ask.

I don't remember when it was - like I said it was quite a while ago - and Southwest (along with a bunch of other airlines) had a service meltdown which had a lot of people being involuntarily bumped and other unpleasant things like what you describe. But at that point, SW said "that's not how we chose to treat our customers" and made a statement that they weren't going to oversell their flights. I have to admit that I admire the way they put their money where their mouth is and showed that their corporate value system wasn't just meaningless words.

 

[Leigh L]

Southwest doesn't overbook flights and hasn't for many years.

They were looking to give $400 vouchers 2 weeks ago and a free new flight. I think it was for 4 seats IIRC.

Edited to say that was the morning all their systems went down. But DD and I had the impression it was oversold. This was for 6 am flight, but maybe was from previous cancelations

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

So, does this mean that SW is about to start messing with my August/September flights? Seems unlikely that all non-stops are completely sold out of higher class fares but the cheaper ones are open.

 

[LadybugsMum]

So, does this mean that SW is about to start messing with my August/September flights? Seems unlikely that all non-stops are completely sold out of higher class fares but the cheaper ones are open.

Oh, I hope they don't mess with our flights. I've got the perfect itinerary for our visit to my grandmother

 

[MarBee]

I realize I’m asking for pure speculation. But what are the chances SW will add more direct flights in their schedule later on? All of the dates I have browsed, there are zero direct flights PHL to MCO. I know it’s first world problems, but I’m stuck with a bunch of points and nowhere to use them unless I want a layover, which I’m desperately trying to avoid.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We plan on asking the gate agent if he can board with us since we’ll be boarding at the A60 spot. Figure it wouldn’t hurt to ask since it’s literally right before family boarding. If it’s a “no” than my son and I will board first. I doubt anyone would want to sit in the same row as us lol. It would be nice to have some help while getting my son situated with the CARES harness with his dad right there but it’s not the end of the world if we have to wait for him.

if you would need to use family boarding I would have other parent board in with A group and do the CARES harness

 

[tseitel]

View attachment 663295

So, does this mean that SW is about to start messing with my August/September flights? Seems unlikely that all non-stops are completely sold out of higher class fares but the cheaper ones are open.

This is what’s showing for my October flights as well

 

[mickey916]

This is what’s showing for my October flights as well

Sadly this is what I saw before my April and May flights were changed.

 

[tseitel]

Sadly this is what I saw before my April and May flights were changed.

Noooooo!!!!! (Lol)

 

[DisTXMom]

Seeing similar things for July flights- many unavailables. Yes, I think it means they are messing with things, but last time I had this, our flights didn’t change although they definitely did make some changes- we just got lucky. Our July flights changed once already, so hoping no more changes. My advice is just watch closely so you can pivot as needed to quickly rebook something if you have an adverse change. I have many thoughts on SWA’s current flight scheduling but don’t want to write a novel, sooo…. Good luck everyone! Stay diligent

 

[Lsdolphin]

Has anyone had September flights changed yet? Usually i see where they have 9 or more non stop flights BWI-MCO they end of reducing those flights to 7....right now looks like they have already reduced the number of non stop flights for Sept...

 

[nekonekoneko]

I realize I’m asking for pure speculation. But what are the chances SW will add more direct flights in their schedule later on? All of the dates I have browsed, there are zero direct flights PHL to MCO. I know it’s first world problems, but I’m stuck with a bunch of points and nowhere to use them unless I want a layover, which I’m desperately trying to avoid.

This is disappointing to me, too. The only non-stops are on the weekends; service from PHL to MCO (and back) is no where near as good as it used to be.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Has anyone had September flights changed yet? Usually i see where they have 9 or more non stop flights BWI-MCO they end of reducing those flights to 7....right now looks like they have already reduced the number of non stop flights for Sept...

My Sept MCO-BWI hasn't changed yet, but it looks the same as my screenshot above for my August flight into Orlando.

I tried to search again just now (3pm ET) and SW says they don't have *any* flights from BWI to MCO that day. So, either IT issues or changes are afoot.