SW newbie and boarding questions

[rdevine10]

Hi,

just bought our 1st flights on Southwest! We got a great deal for Spring Break

Now for the questions. We are a family of 4. 2 adults and an 8 and 5 year old.

I really only care that 1 adult and 1 child sit together on the flight. I see that I can prepurchase a better boarding assignment.

Now what to do. If I check in 24 hours in advance, should I at least be be able to have 1 adult and 1 child sit together?

Also, if I did purchase the better assignment, how does that work on connecting flight????

Thanks so much for helping a newbie!

 

[Disnydad]

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/airport-experience/boarding-school/

 

[rdevine10]

thanks for the link. I had looked at it earlier before posting this, but it still didnt really address my questions regarding changing planes (do you get one boarding pass for each leg or for the whole trip?) or how likely it would be a child wouldnt be able to sit with a parent.

If anyone has any insight please advise. I will purchase the extra boarding thing if I am too worried about it.... I just want to know how this works 1st, if you KWIM?

thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

If I check in 24 hours in advance, should I at least be be able to have 1 adult and 1 child sit together?

I would almost guarantee it. And the almost part is so infinitesimally small that it hardly counts. But my sis in law is a lawyer and she's worn off on me, so I'm not taking chances with an absolute statement, LOL.

Connecting flights...the difference is that there will be people on board already, if you're changing planes to get onto a flight that's already come from somewhere else.

But even on an almost full flight that DS and I were moved to when *our* flight number was canceled b/c the plane couldn't get to our airport b/c of weather elsewhere, DS and I still found 2 places next to each other.

There's always the possibility that the first 60 people boarding will all take the middle seats of each row...but that probably has never happened. The reality is that people travel in groups, and they clump together. Unless you were in the very last boarding section, I wouldn't worry about this.

We'll be taking SW to Orlando in 40 days, and we're not getting earlybird, and have no thoughts of "what if we can't sit next to each other"... (as my superstitious side knocks wood)

 

[spokanemom]

When you check-in for boarding at your 24 hour mark, you will be issued boarding passes for both flights. You will only need to check in once for that day's flight.

 

[DebbieB]

thanks for the link. I had looked at it earlier before posting this, but it still didnt really address my questions regarding changing planes (do you get one boarding pass for each leg or for the whole trip?) or how likely it would be a child wouldnt be able to sit with a parent.

If anyone has any insight please advise. I will purchase the extra boarding thing if I am too worried about it.... I just want to know how this works 1st, if you KWIM?

thanks!

If they are different flight #'s, you will get 2 boarding passes. One problem you could run into with the second flight is if your first one is late and they are already boarding the second one, having the early boarding number might not do you any good. Your kids are fairly young, you would probably be able to get some people to move so that each is with an adult, especially if you go to the back. I wouldn't worry that much about it, just be sure to get your boarding pass at 24 hours.

 

[rdevine10]

thank you... thats just the info I was looking for everyone!

 

[rdevine10]

by the way our connecting flight departs at 8:15 am. Im not sure if it comes from anywhere prior to that, and we have an hour and 5 min layover, so hopefully we can get to the flight in plenty of time. This leg of the trip we have 2 stops (with one plane change), but Im not complaining as it was only $84 pp each way for a prime travel day for new england spring break!