Southwest Air w/kids

[mickeyfan0805]

We're planning a trip from detroit to DL next summer and my current reviews shows that Southwest Airlines is, by far, the least expensive flight. However, we will be 2 adults travelling with dd5, dd4 and ds1 at the time. I'm concerned about the lack of seat assignments. Has anyone ever had trouble getting seated together as a family? Is it hard to get the 'a' seating pass if you go online right on time?

Any experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cmaee]

I flew Southwest this past December by myself with my three kids who were 6, 4, and 2 (just turned 2 in November). We were fine. I made sure that I checked in exactly 24 hours before flight take-off. The farthest back I got was like A25. Even if you don't make it in the A group when you check-in, they do family boarding between the A and B group. You will be fine...I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[woodkins]

We only fly Southwest and have never had a problem even when we got boarding group B. Only once when I was flying alone with my dd did we have a hard time finding 2 seats together & I said to the flight attendent....well just let whoever sits with my dd (4 at the time) know that she likes apple juice, coloring books, goldfish and she will need help going to the bathroom. They found someone to move in about 5 seconds LOL

 

[ccvb]

Southwest is all we fly. We have never had an issue getting all 4 of us seated close together. The girls and I normally sit in a row and DH sits across from us. Nobody really wants to sit next to two 4 year olds!

 

[mejkjj97]

You also get to Board between groups A and B (incase you are not in group A). We have never had a problem boarding and finding seats together at this time.

 

[natnelliesmom]

We only fly Southwest and have never had a problem even when we got boarding group B. Only once when I was flying alone with my dd did we have a hard time finding 2 seats together & I said to the flight attendent....well just let whoever sits with my dd (4 at the time) know that she likes apple juice, coloring books, goldfish and she will need help going to the bathroom. They found someone to move in about 5 seconds LOL

We had a similar issue on a Delta flight last year. We had to switch flights last minute and the plane was pretty full. The flight attendant asked people to move voluntarily and not one person offered! I said pretty much the same thing.... only adding that she'll be scared without me and will probably cry through the flight.
It only took a few seconds for several people to offer up their seats!!

No one wants to sit with a small child without a parent!
-Sarah

 

[littlepeppers]

If you are treveling w/ little ones you do get to board early. We always have boarding pass A, but if not we would just get on when they let the little ones board.

Delta has assigned seats & they sat me, DH, & DS (4) one behind the other. Now we told them DS age when we got boarding passes. Thankfully a mother w/ a teen swapped seats w/ DH & DS, so I was the only one not in the group.

 

[ccgirl]

Just wanted to tell you that there's nothing to worry about. As others said, you can board between A and B (regardless of what your boarding pass says) thanks to your little guy. I have even had "C" boarding passes and had no problems sitting together - mind you, it was near the back of the plane but we were together. Enjoy!

 

[squirrel]

What is the age limit for the family boarding?

I'm a little worried on our last full day at WDW that I will forget to check in and get a bad boarding pass.

I'm travelling with my niece and she is 5.5 but would be really freaked out if I wasn't sitting next to her.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Age is 4 and checking in at the 24 hour mark is important.
So, be sure to take a picture ID and your confirmation number with you that day and wherever you are, park or at the hotel, visit guest services or Concierge and they will do it for you (and you can always print out later) OR have you do it yourself (as in Epcot) where I just did this myself.

Have a MAGICAL trip, but as previously stated, with SW, 24 hour mark is important!

 

[mickeyfan0805]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Anyone know if you can check in via iphone?

 

[LWatson]

I've checked in via Mobile web b4 on my BLITZ