SW early Bird and infant

[Jacob9901]

My dh and I are taking our 2 yeah old dd to DisneyWorld in early august. Is thé early check in ($75rt) Worth it?

Families with small children board Btw A & B.

Thanks!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

NO! Its not worth it. There is plenty of open seating to snag 3 seats together.
Be ready to book at the 24 hour mark in hopes of getting an A board number if you don't then you will get to board after A and you should be fine.

Plus there is no guarentee with EBCI that you will get an A boarding number and then you have just wasted $$

 

[goofy4tink]

Will you be buying a seat for your two y/o?? I'm not sure if they will allow you to board between the A and B groups if it's a lap baby.
If you are buying a seat for her, then don't worry about EBCI.

 

[maxiesmom]

On flights to Orlando they don't always offer family boarding. If there are a lot of families flying, they sometimes skip it, as the plane would be almost full at that point.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Will you be buying a seat for your two y/o?? I'm not sure if they will allow you to board between the A and B groups if it's a lap baby.
If you are buying a seat for her, then don't worry about EBCI.

You have to buy a seat for a 2 year old.

 

[goofy4tink]

You have to buy a seat for a 2 year old.

True, but there are times that people 'round up' when giving an age. Wasn't sure if the child was going to actually be 2 when traveling or would be under 2 and able to be a lap baby.

 

[brymolmom]

True, but there are times that people 'round up' when giving an age. Wasn't sure if the child was going to actually be 2 when traveling or would be under 2 and able to be a lap baby.

I'm guessing this is the case and the child won't be 2 yet, given the title of the post the OP gave it. I can't imagine another time when a 2 year old would be called an 'infant' - so guessing he/she means that the child is considered an infant on the flight reservation as lap babies are called that.

OP - if it was me I would just be sure to check in right at 24 hours. Between that and family boarding (high chance of having it available) - the chances of you getting seats together would be very, very high. But if you're worried buy EBCI and then you don't have to worry at all.

 

[HolliePoppins]

The OP also said $75 for ebci which works out to 3 seats round trip.

 

[longhorns2]

Pay for one early boarding pass. Let that adult go onboard first with the child- it won't matter if the child doesn't have early boarding. They will let the child go on with adult

First adult saves seat for the other one in case you get stuck in C boarding. We do it every trip.

 

[longhorns2]

But I agree- its not necessary if you can check in 24 hrs on the dot.

 

[Gracie09]

On flights to Orlando they don't always offer family boarding. If there are a lot of families flying, they sometimes skip it, as the plane would be almost full at that point.

This and if you try to save a seat, as suggested, and someone wants that seat the fa will side with the person wanting to sit there.

 

[longhorns2]

True. But most people will steer clear of the baby. Lol

 

[CarolMN]

Just buy it for the return trip. You should be fine for the trip to Orlando if you check in right at 24 hours.

To me, it's worth it for the return trip because I don't have to worry about checking in right at 24 hours when I might be already at a park or having fun somewhere. Plus, at Orlando, you can't count on family boarding. Often there are enough children traveling, that they don't allow it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Pay for one early boarding pass. Let that adult go onboard first with the child- it won't matter if the child doesn't have early boarding. They will let the child go on with adult

First adult saves seat for the other one in case you get stuck in C boarding. We do it every trip.

They'll let the child board at the correct position or higher. An adult with an A who's with a child with a B, can board with the child at the child's turn.

 

[pooch]

who was 2 at the time. Booked DH on a separate ressie with EBCI. He got on and got the car seat installed while DGS and I boarded between A & B. DGS was able to just hop into his seat and get settled. Worked really well.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just buy it for the return trip. You should be fine for the trip to Orlando if you check in right at 24 hours.

To me, it's worth it for the return trip because I don't have to worry about checking in right at 24 hours when I might be already at a park or having fun somewhere. Plus, at Orlando, you can't count on family boarding. Often there are enough children traveling, that they don't allow it.

That is what I do as well. And we have heard many instances of SW doing away with family boarding in Orlando...you're right!!

 

[Gracie09]

True. But most people will steer clear of the baby. Lol

Maybe maybe not. If I'm flying solo I'm likely to sit in the first available window seat, pop in my ear plugs, pull out my book and likely be asleep by the time we hit cruising altitude . I don't care whose next to me.

 

[Ro Z]

I fly SWA all the time. We always do early bird. There are 3 of us. Last time we got B-36,37,38 (yes even with EB) and still sat together. The preboarders, all the A group, family boarding and B-1-35 got on before us. All 3 of you can board between A and B so you will be OK. IMO I wouldn't spend the $$. Now if you couldn't do family boarding (after your child turns 4) I would pay the xtra!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

All 3 of you can board between A and B so you will be OK. IMO I wouldn't spend the $$. Now if you couldn't do family boarding (after your child turns 4) I would pay the xtra!

No, family boarding is for one child and one adult. Whether or not this is enforced depends on the gate agent.

 

[tyzzle]

Maybe maybe not. If I'm flying solo I'm likely to sit in the first available window seat, pop in my ear plugs, pull out my book and likely be asleep by the time we hit cruising altitude . I don't care whose next to me.

Easy solution if they purchased three seats boarding parent sits child by window and then sits in the aisle seat, leaving the middle for parent two.