Southwest Check In

[Angela0917]

We are flying Southwest to Orlando next month with my son who will be 10 months old. We chose to save the money and not do the early bird check in, but now I'm wondering if we should have. I'm just wondering if the majority of people do this? I'm paranoid about being the last family to board the plane and having to sit alone with my son. This is his first flight, so I'm not sure how he's going to react.

 

[AprilRenee]

Just check in online right at 24 hours. You will probably be in group B or early in C. There will be plenty of seats and you'll be fine!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If you check in at 24 hours and get a B pass, don't worry. With your 10 month old, you will be allowed to board between the A and B groups.

 

[SKWDW]

We are flying Southwest to Orlando next month with my son who will be 10 months old. We chose to save the money and not do the early bird check in, but now I'm wondering if we should have. I'm just wondering if the majority of people do this? I'm paranoid about being the last family to board the plane and having to sit alone with my son. This is his first flight, so I'm not sure how he's going to react.

First, stop worrying. You're fine to skip the EBCI since you will be doing family preboarding. SWA does their family preboarding between A and B groups now, regardless of your boarding card group and number.

I flew SWA last week and several families with infants and small kiddos boarded their entire group (of 3-6 people) at the pre-board time. That included those with C boarding cards.

You'll be fine, relax and enjoy that extra little $ you saved not getting EBCI.

 

[Angela0917]

Thanks!! I thought family boarding didn't exist anymore since they had early bird! I feel much better! I am still going to check in at the 24 hour mark for the day we leave, but I dont' want to have to worry about going back to the resort our last day at disney to check in for our flight home!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Thanks!! I thought family boarding didn't exist anymore since they had early bird! I feel much better! I am still going to check in at the 24 hour mark for the day we leave, but I dont' want to have to worry about going back to the resort our last day at disney to check in for our flight home!

Here's the thing. You might want to consider getting EBCI for the trip home for a couple of reasons. Number 1, you don't have to worry about checking in at 24 hours while at the parks or resort, and number 2, depending on your flight, SWA has been known to suspend family boarding if there are an extraordinary amount of familes with children up to 4 years of age. So, family boarding may not be available.