Seating on Southwest

[Mom2B&R]

We are planning a family vacation next year and it will be myself, DH and 3 children (Kids have NEVER flown). Two of the three kids are very anxious about flying.

Southwest rates seem to be the best BUT I am nervous about their policy of no assign seating. Any advice on how I can be sure that the kids are seated next to myself and my husband???

Any advice is so appreciated!!!!

 

[kpiper]

We fly Southwest all the time out of Columbus and have never really had a problem sitting together as long as we complete the online check in/download boarding passes exactly 24 hours prior to the flight. Your other option is to pay the extra $10 per ticket to check in even earlier than the 24 hour window. In fact, we just got back from Disney/Disney Cruise with a party of 10 and we were all able to sit together for the most part with the 24 hour check in.

 

[NC State Tigger]

How old are your children? Families with young children can board between groups A and B or you can purchase the early bird check-in that most times will put you in the A group (first group to board and should get you seats together with no problem).

 

[Mom2B&R]

My children are 12, 10 and 7.

The 7 and 10 year olds are the ones that are afraid to fly.

 

[DebbieB]

I would buy early bird check-in. It's now $12.50 per person per direction. Family boarding is under 5 years old.

 

[amomma23]

I would buy early bird check-in. It's now $12.50 per person per direction. Family boarding is under 5 years old.

This is what we do. Our kids are 10, 6, and 4. We have always found seats together.

 

[goofy4tink]

My children are 12, 10 and 7.

The 7 and 10 year olds are the ones that are afraid to fly.

That's a pretty normal age to be worried about flying!! Be sure to buy the EBCI. That won't necessarily get you the front of the line up but it will put you in position to easily get seats together. I imagine you will do 2 of the kids in one row with a parent and then the other child and parent in a row together. You should be able to get rows right next to each other. No, it probably won't be in the front of the plane, but if you go back a bit, you will have no issues.
Many people worry about being seated together when flying SW...and it really isn't an issue for most people.

 

[NurseKim]

If you happen not to get in an early boarding group, most people are willing to swap seats to accommodate families. I've done it and people have done it for me.

 

[JessM]

As long as you check in at the 24 hour mark you don't have to worry about it. A and B boarding position should allow you to sit together somewhere on the plane. Its easy peasy to check in at the 24 hr mark even if you are out and about in the parks, just download the mobile app, its really simple!

 

[LilyWDW]

If you happen not to get in an early boarding group, most people are willing to swap seats to accommodate families. I've done it and people have done it for me.

I am sorry, but I would never count on this sort of thing. People may or may not want to switch. You just never know before you get on the flight and then it may be too late.

OP, get early bird check in. Your kids are too old to qualify for family boarding. If it is a huge deal to have the kids next to an adult, then you need to do what needs to be done and not leave it up to chance.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I agree - pay for early bird check in. As long as you get an A or B boarding spot you should be fine, and EBCI is like an insurance policy for that.

 

[wiigirl]

I would buy early bird check-in. It's now $12.50 per person per direction. Family boarding is under 5 years old.

 

[Madzac]

I would buy the early bird check in. We just flew last week. I had bought our tickets on airtran and the first leg of our trip down was changed to a SW flight. Since I had bought on AT I wasnt allowed to buy the early bird. I was really nervous. I checked in at exactly 24 hrs and we got B17-22. Fortunately I have a 2 yr old and they allowed us all to board together at family boarding between the A and B group. When we got onboard there were only about 5-6 empty rows, every other row had someone in the aisle and window. If we hadnt gotten on at family boarding I am not sure we would have been able to sit together. If I fly SW I will definitely spring for early bird in the future.

 

[mickeynut1]

We are planning a family vacation next year and it will be myself, DH and 3 children (Kids have NEVER flown). Two of the three kids are very anxious about flying.

Southwest rates seem to be the best BUT I am nervous about their policy of no assign seating. Any advice on how I can be sure that the kids are seated next to myself and my husband???

Any advice is so appreciated!!!!

I agree with the others who suggested paying for EBCI. It does add up for a family, but for us (we are a family of 4), it is more than worth it for peace of mind that we will get a decent boarding position and will be able to sit together.

 

[Twelvevman]

I would buy the early bird check in. We just flew last week. I had bought our tickets on airtran and the first leg of our trip down was changed to a SW flight. Since I had bought on AT I wasnt allowed to buy the early bird. I was really nervous. I checked in at exactly 24 hrs and we got B17-22. Fortunately I have a 2 yr old and they allowed us all to board together at family boarding between the A and B group. When we got onboard there were only about 5-6 empty rows, every other row had someone in the aisle and window. If we hadnt gotten on at family boarding I am not sure we would have been able to sit together. If I fly SW I will definitely spring for early bird in the future.

I would have parked my 2 year old between 2 people and watched how quickly they were willing to trade seats.

 

[stormer]

I agree with the others who suggested paying for EBCI. It does add up for a family, but for us (we are a family of 4), it is more than worth it for peace of mind that we will get a decent boarding position and will be able to sit together.

I agree. We always get the EBCI, it just makes us feel better. I would never rely on asking someone to move for me. Many people purchase EBCI or check in at the 24 hour mark to be sure their family sits together so I wouldn't expect them to move for me.

 

[Gracie09]

I would have parked my 2 year old between 2 people and watched how quickly they were willing to trade seats.

And this attitude is what gives parent who fly with young kids a bad reputation. My kids are my responsibility. If that means I pay more to ensure (as much as you can) seats than that what it means. If you plopped your two year old next to me I would have put my ear phones on and watched a rated r movie on my iPad.

 

[chasgoose]

And this attitude is what gives parent who fly with young kids a bad reputation. My kids are my responsibility. If that means I pay more to ensure (as much as you can) seats than that what it means. If you plopped your two year old next to me I would have put my ear phones on and watched a rated r movie on my iPad.

Exactly... Don't ever plan on people being willing to switch with you so you can sit together. This is even more true on airlines with assigned seats.

 

[DebbieB]

And this attitude is what gives parent who fly with young kids a bad reputation. My kids are my responsibility. If that means I pay more to ensure (as much as you can) seats than that what it means. If you plopped your two year old next to me I would have put my ear phones on and watched a rated r movie on my iPad.

I agree. If they would have asked nicely if I would switch for a comparable seat, I would. If they tried to just plop their 2 year old down, oh well.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would have parked my 2 year old between 2 people and watched how quickly they were willing to trade seats.

Really bad idea. No one is ever required to change seats in order to accommodate someone else. Will some people change seats? Sure. But it's nothing I would count on!!! Trying the old 'plop my kid down next to strangers so they will move' ploy can backfire!!

Why parents don't do what needs to be done in order to have their family seated together is beyond me! It would seem that they want to pay as little as possible, or do as little groundwork as possible, and then still get to sit together, counting on the generosity of others to make this happen.
I have offered to move in the past, but it's not something I am going to do if there is a reason I am in the seat I'm in.

You want to sit together, or at least have the best shot at it? Pay addtl for EBCI, both ways. Figure it as a cost of flying with youngsters. At least you'll be towards the front/beginning of the boarding groups, which should allow for finding seats together.