Question about flying SW with baby

[Lampoon2012]

I was just reading their FAQ's and came across a blurb about flying with children under 2 and then again ages 2-11. It stated that they have infant fare available in limited quantities on all flights and special childs fare as well. Does anyone know what these rates generally look like? We are planning a trip for next April with our three kiddos (12, 9 and 18months).

Also, if anyone knows when SW or JetBlue historically release their flights for April, that would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

 

[JediBonas]

When I called the children's fare was a percentage off the regular (full priced) fare. It was much cheaper to just buy mine (23 months) their own seats at the "get away" fare price.

 

[epsmith921]

Same as PP. The seats at the wanna get away price are usually a better deal.

 

[ancestry]

Agreed with the others. The child's fare is a discount off of the full fare price. Usually the get-away fares are much cheaper.

 

[Lampoon2012]

Thanks all. That's what I thought the "deal" would be.

 

[BelleTink]

For flight releases, Southwest is usually about 8 months in advance...so Sept-ish? I'm a little tired so that could be off I get their emails b/c I fly constantly, but you can check here for updates: https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-tools/index.html

Not sure about JetBlue, they didn't move into my airport yet.

 

[wishuponastar42]

Just FYI...babies don't need a seat on the plane. They can ride on your lap.

 

[BeckFam08]

With SW we have learned that if the plane is not full, the child under 2 can have a seat. It's taking a chance but a big savings in the end. Don't forget to bring a birth certificate with you too!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I purchased the infant fare on Southwest for my son when he was 10 months old and the others are right. The regular "wanna get away" fare is cheaper. In this instance I had seats for my daughter and I already and decided to get my son a seat after my MIL gave me some money I wasn't expecting. By that time the wanna get away fares were sold out for our flight, so the agent helped me with the infant fare.

In cases where an infant fare is purchased or the child travels as a lap child, Southwest is supposed to ask for a birth certificate. I had my son's with me, but they didn't ask for it.

If you want your infant to have a seat on the plane, I'd buy it. I wouldn't count on an empty seat on a flight to Orlando on Southwest.

 

[laura3773]

Babies may not need a seat, but after flying with a 14 month old lap child, I would NEVER try that again. She squirmed the whole time, we couldn't put the tray down to put her food on and everyone was uncomfortable. At 9 months it wasn't bad at all - she just slept and was much smaller. I would not want to risk getting stuck with an 18 month old lap child. She'll be over 2 for our Disney trip so we had to buy her a seat, but we would have regardless after our last trip.

 

[MandiC]

Yep, same as the others. The wanna get away price is cheaper than the child's fare, we bought our girls (7 and 9 at the time of the flight) regular 'adult' seats at wanna get away pricing

 

[esquared221]

We've flown twice with our kids as lap riders (when they were less than 2) because our car seats have always been too big to fit in the airplane seat and they would have been in our laps the whole time anyway. If you buy them a seat then they have to be in their own seat during lift off and landing with their seat belt on. These are usually the times they want to be in your lap because it's more likely to be scary (that was the only time my son cried on our flights because he wanted to be with me but he wasnt allowed to be). It all depends on your kid. If you think they'll be reasonably good for the duration of the flight in your lap than I'd take advantage of one of your family members flying for free. There's def pros and cons to both

And I def wouldnt plan on the extra seat thing. I don't think I've ever been on a flight to Orlando that hasnt been full.

 

[MandiC]

Yeah, both our flights to/from Orlando were packed full, not one empty seat on the entire plane. Could have been time of year though. Lots of people looking to escape Wisconsin in February

 

[JediBonas]

Yeah, both our flights to/from Orlando were packed full, not one empty seat on the entire plane. Could have been time of year though. Lots of people looking to escape Wisconsin in February

Ours was the same, not one empty seat (Albany NY in late Oct).

 

[Lampoon2012]

I flew about 10 years ago with my oldest as a lap kid and ended up "Lucky" with an extra seat. But I do agree with all of your advice, I won't bank on getting an extra seat on a trip from Boston-Orlando right before April Vacation. We have a few months to figure out what kind of kid he will be, as of right now he is a perfect 6 month old, lol.