Southwest early boarding

[mrsgthatsme]

I noticed that one SW's site, it states that a child 6 and under can board early and sit with a parent for sure. If we have a 6 and 9 year old, will they allow one parent to board with the 6 year old and the other will need to wait back with the other parent, or will the whole family group of 4 be allowed to board together? Thanks!

 

[pooh4evr]

It isn't really early boarding, family boarding is between groups A and B. You are not guaranteed to sit with anyone, chances are very slim you would be separated from your kids but it happens. They will probably let all 4 of you board, but it also depends on the gate agent. Sometimes they limit family boarding to only the kid within the age range and 1 parent

 

[tjmw2727]

Just to clarify it isn't early boarding it is family boarding which as stated above happens after the pre-boards and the A group but before the B group. The website also says an adult can accompany a child 6 and under so its up to the gate agents to determine if the entire family can board.
I have seen them allow entire families in the family boarding and I have seen them enforce the 1-1 rule when there are many families lined up in the family boarding line. (The family boarding line is 1st come first serve and many families start lining up pretty early !)

From the website "An adult traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding. If the child and the adult are both holding an “A” boarding pass, they should board in their assigned boarding position."
Link for verification and additional info:
https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/faqs.html?topic=boarding_the_plane

 

[Sandi]

It isn't really early boarding, family boarding is between groups A and B. You are not guaranteed to sit with anyone, chances are very slim you would be separated from your kids but it happens. They will probably let all 4 of you board, but it also depends on the gate agent. Sometimes they limit family boarding to only the kid within the age range and 1 parent

And that is often the case on flights to Orlando where there are often many families flying.