Southwest Air questions

[goofymom/pop]

We got a great deal to WDW with SW but are worried about the seating deal. I know it is first come first serve or something like that. WE are traveling four adults and two children 9, is there a way to make sure the boys have at least one adult with them on the plane? Has anyone flown SW with children?

Cindy

 

[Kajunswty]

we always fly SWA to Orlando and have never had a problem finding at least 2 seats together. Our last trip my DH sat with the 2 girls and I sat in a end seat across from them ( I think it worked in my favor...lol)

They have preboarding for anyone with infants or little ones (up to 5 I think) and then they start with everyone else. They divide everyone into 3. If I remember correctly it is 1-30 31-60 abd 60-90 or something like that. As long as you arrive early enough to be in the 1st or 2nd group you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Magic2000]

We've flown Southwest several times to Orlando! They usually offer the best deals, from New Orleans at least. I don't really like the "seating" thing either. In New Orleans and in Orlando, when we flew last, no longer offers the preboarding for families with small children. It really wasn't that bad for us though because we did get the in the first group to board.

Just to be on the safe side, I would suggest you get to the airport early, and then down to the gate you'll be boarding from as early as possible that way you can get in that first or second group. You'll also need to check if the flight is originating in your city, if not, you'll have people already on the plane too.

Even though its a pain, we've never had a problem getting seats together. (Just get to the gate early!)

Have a great trip!

 

[Kajunswty]

magic2000, when did you last fly? we flew in jan and they did pre-boarding both in new orleans and orlando? it really don't matter to me anymore since my girls are too old...lol

 

[Gary M]

We flew SWA from IND to MCO during Feb. of this year. They now give out letters for boarding passes(A, B, etc.). I asked the SWA employee at the gate how many people are in each letter group and she 45. They pre- boardeded people with children 4 yrs and younger and those who needed help. There had to be at least 50 in the pre-board line. The flight originated in IND, so the plane was empty when it was boarded. We had an "A" boarding pass and were in the middle of the "A" line. We got seats together in the middle of the plane and many rows were empty when we boarded.

 

[debster812]

The FAs are also very good at getting folks to 'relocate' so that families can get at least one adult with each child. I fly SWA on business fairly often, and out of my last 5 flights, I have switched seats 3 times. If you can get boarding passes in the 'A' group you will have it made, and possibly 'B' as well. As the FAs joked with us last week 'C' stands for C enter Seat! lol

You should be fine.

 

[antmaril]

Get there early so you get an "A" Boarding Pass. If you are at the Gate early you will be able to get to the front of the "A" line with your family. Don't wait until everyone gets up to get in that line - stand there for a while - maybe 15 minutes - and you will board first (after people in wheelchairs and families with very young children). You will have your choice of seats.

 

[goofymom/pop]

Seemsthe early bird gets the worm....or seat in this case. We are flying out of Columbus and live in Cleveland. Made the decision this week to go down a day early so we can arrive at the airport in plenty of time for the flight.

It doesnt sound that horrible. Just annoying. We shall make due as we are going to Florida!!!! Yippee!

cindy

 

[4greatboys]

Our family got to preboard last Sept from Houston and in Orlando.
There are 6 of us and 2 were 2 yrs and 5 months and the time.

 

[MrsMud]

Get there early so you get an "A" Boarding Pass.

This seems to be sound advice, but just how early is "early"? We are planning on getting there about 2 hours ahead of the flight time, is this early enough to get "A" passes?

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by MrsMud
This seems to be sound advice, but just how early is "early"? We are planning on getting there about 2 hours ahead of the flight time, is this early enough to get "A" passes?

2 hours is more than enough time. Don't stress about this. You will be fine because you are looking for a middle and either an aisle or window. Single business men are really neurotic about getting to the airport extra early to get the most forward aisle seat on the plane. Many airports now have e-ticket kiosks for SWA. I highly recommend using them. Here is recommendation on how to use the eticket machines to your advantage. Have Mom and Child #1 use eticket kiosk for those who are not checking luggage. Have Dad and Child #2 stand in luggage checkin line. Hopefully Mom and Child #1 will A boarding cards. If Dad and Child #2 have B or C boarding cards then Mom and Child #1 should board flight with their group and sit in an empty row and "hold" middle seat for Child #2. Holding the middle seat is easy. Holding an aisle or window is very difficult. This only works if you won't exceed one checked bag per person. Dad and child #2 check all bags as if they are there bags. Don't say that these bags are for Mom who is already down at gate. This will cause a whole lotta havoc.

 

[Magic2000]

When we flew in Dec, 2001, I asked at the counter in New Orleans and they said they no longer pre-boarded children. However, when the plane landed (it had not originated in New Orleans), after passengers had gotten off, one of the agents did come ask me to pre-board. In Orlando, when I asked, they said they did not pre-board anymore because most of their passengers travel with children.

A friend of mine flew Southwest in late June, 2002 (New Orleans to Orlando) and they were not pre-boarding children.

Maybe enough people complained and they are trying it again. Now my daughter is a little older so we don't need to - but I thought it was very helpful to get settled in with a small child so as not to hold up any of the other passengers.

 

[Gary M]

Feb. 1 of this year SWA preboarded a bunch of children and their guest on a trip from IND to MCO.