Southwest family boarding

[pcdesmond]

I did the 24 hour check in this morning and still got group C. Family boarding says you can board early with a child 6 or younger, my girls are 3 and just turned 7. Can I say she is still 6 or is there a way Southwest can verify her age. I don't remember if I put her age down when I bought tickets. Has anyone done this?

 

[DVC-Don]

I'm pretty sure your 3 year old will qualify your family for the boarding between the A and B groups. So you'll not have to lie about the 7 years olds age.

 

[pcdesmond]

Ok, I was under the impression only one adult could board with the child. Thank you!

I'm pretty sure your 3 year old will qualify your family for the boarding between the A and B groups. So you'll not have to lie about the 7 years olds age.

 

[JessM]

They likely won't make your 7 year old wait to board with her group. Just have her board with you during family boarding. Be aware that they may not have family boarding if there are too many families.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You might call SWA to check because everything reads "a child under 6" not "children" when it comes to family boarding- the wording is "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."

If you don't get your question answered over the phone you can always talk to the gate agents at the airport. I have see where if there are too many families they do not do the family board process. Be aware too since you have a C if the flight is too full and the plane not big enough and if they do not do the family pre-board they make ask you to check 1 of your carry-ons/personal bags (since you can have 1 of each). I flew from KCI to BWI last friday and the flight was completely full. They told all C group passengers well in advance it was likely they would have to check one of their bags as the airplane didn't have enough upper cabin space for all passengers to have 1 bag up there and they def.did once they ran out of space (this was assuming you had 1 carry on and 1 personal item or your carry on or personal item you brought couldn't fit under the seat in front of you).

 

[maxiesmom]

I did the 24 hour check in this morning and still got group C. Family boarding says you can board early with a child 6 or younger, my girls are 3 and just turned 7. Can I say she is still 6 or is there a way Southwest can verify her age. I don't remember if I put her age down when I bought tickets. Has anyone done this?

Is it just you and your 2 daughters going? If so, then you will all be able to board. IF they have family boarding. And they don't always have it. Otherwise if there is another adult along one of you can board with the 3 year old during family boarding.

I wouldn't suggest you lie about your older daughter's age. If it is just the 3 of you they won't make her stay behind. And if there is another adult along she can board with them. If you want better odds of everyone sitting together you should pay for Early Bird Check In for your next flight.

 

[DebbieB]

I flew PIT-MCO in December. There had to be 30 or 40 people in family boarding. Nothing about 1 adult per child. Looking at the families in line, some didn't look like they had a child 6 or under, some kids looked 8 or 10. No one was questioned. They did enforce no extended family - grandparents, aunts, etc. I had B26 and got stuck in the back. I'm buying EBCI from now on.

 

[DopeyDame]

While theoretically they could make your seven year old board with an adult in C, I really really doubt they will. If the four of you (two adults, a 3 year old, and a 7 year old) all approach at family boarding, you should be just fine boarding. They almost certainly won't even ask the age of your oldest.