SWA Airlines question

[smfritz03]

I booked 6 tickets for SWA. One of those is handicap. We will also be traveling w/ 2 children, ages 1 and 2, but on our laps. Do we need to contact the airlines ahead of time for the handicap/young child issues?

 

[Lewisc]

I booked 6 tickets for SWA. One of those is handicap. We will also be traveling w/ 2 children, ages 1 and 2, but on our laps. Do we need to contact the airlines ahead of time for the handicap/young child issues?

Lap children have to be under 2 and SW will ask to see a copy of the birth certificate. You'll have to buy a ticket for your 2 year old. You should consider buying a seat for your 1 year old as well.

Your children are young enough, you'll be allowed to pre-board. No reason to contact them in advance.

 

[smfritz03]

The one is 2 yr and 3 mths--so she is too old to sit on a persons lap? My one year old will scream if she is in her car seat on the plane---everywhere we drive she screams the entire time because she hates car seats. As for buying another ticket--I bought the Ding Fares based on info I read here, and now that flight is sold out so our only option would be to cancel.

 

[Lewisc]

Your daughter is over 2 and has to have a ticket. SW might ask for a copy of her birth certificate. I don't know who told you she didn't need a ticket but it's right on SW's website.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/taking_the_kids1.html
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html

Is the website showing the flight is completely sold out? If so call SW and see what they can do for you.

Even if your child was under 2 airlines rules don't allow for 2 lap children in the same row. There is only one extra oxygen mask. You and your spouse would have to split.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes the 2yo is to old to fly as a "lap baby" or for free. From Southwest Website:

<<A SEAT FOR THE BABY. Yes, they can fly for free in your lap until they’re two but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly recommends that all children who fly, regardless of their age, use the appropriate restraint based on their size and weight. They are far safer in turbulence or an accident. The American academy of pediatrics concurs. A baby will be a lot more comfortable in a familiar seat. You’ll be more comfortable too. Under 20 pounds, they should be in a rear-facing seat; from 20 to 40 pounds in a forward-facing child restraint. Children over 40 pounds may safely use an aircraft seat belt. Visit www.faa.gov/passengers/childsafetyseats for more information. Southwest was the first carrier to offer a fare that would give parents a low-cost alternative to traveling with a lap child. Southwest’s affordable Infant Fares are available for children less than 2 years-old who occupy a seat (with an FAA-approved car seat) and who are accompanied by a customer aged 12 or older. Infant Fares are offered on every Southwest flight, as long as you’ve got proof of the baby’s age at check in. Southwest also offers youth fares for older children. >>

Here is the link for reference:
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/taking_the_kids1.html

It isn't even an option to fly with a child over 2 and fwiw it is vey likely that they will ask for birth certificate for a lap child. If there are no more seats on the flight you will have to change to a flight that has a seat available to purchase for your child. Sorry to bear the bad news but no airline will fly a child 2 or over free of charge.

TJ

 

[owtrbnks]

I booked 6 tickets for SWA. One of those is handicap. We will also be traveling w/ 2 children, ages 1 and 2, but on our laps. Do we need to contact the airlines ahead of time for the handicap/young child issues?

Nah, why call the 800 number with questions before you go? That will kill your chances of being a star on Airline!
BTW - If your kid is going to scream the whole way maybe you should consider the other 136 people on the plane - thanks.

 

[Ms. Belle]

i think the FAA took of the rule that you had to have small children in a car seat i read about it somewhere

 

[NotUrsula]

I'd say it depends on what you mean by "handicap". If the person needs to preboard for that reason, just tell the gate agent that he needs to preboard for health reasons; they will allow it. You'll probably get to preboard anyway since you have other children under the age limit. If the disabled person will need a boarding chair, then I suggest you call and have it noted, then ask about it again when you arrive at the airport, just in case. They don't always have one at every gate as a matter of course.

I'm wondering why you spoke of having two lap children, but said you bought six tickets ... who else will be with you? If it is another adult that person probably will not be able to preboard with your party. As others have noted, the 2 yo will need to have a paid-for seat; SWA will ask for proof of age on a lap child who is close to 2.

Is the flight totally sold out, or do you just mean the discount fares are sold out? If there are ANY fares left, you should go ahead and purchase the extra ticket ASAP; if you wait until you get to the airport you will pay even more, and run the risk of being denied boarding altogether. If it turns out that you see the fare for the flight go down after you purchase, you can ask for a credit on the difference.

 

[tjmw2727]

i think the FAA took of the rule that you had to have small children in a car seat i read about it somewhere

Currently no FAA regulation requires children to be in a CRS but both the FAA and AAP recommend it for children under 40lbs.

The issue for the OP is that her 2yo can not fly as a lap child and must have a ticketed seat. It has nothing to do with a carseat but he cut off age for a free or "lap baby" is 2yo.

 

[smfritz03]

There are 3 families going---one family is just husband and wife--one being handicap--then another family w/ a child who is 2 yrs and 3 mths the date we will be leaving and then us w/ our 1 yr old. As for screaming--she is only like that in a car seat--thats why MY daughter will be on my lap. To the person who stated "think of the other 136 people" my daughter is very well behaved, she just doenst like her car seat and will be perfectly fine on our lap. In fact, Im sure the other "136" people on the plane will be alot more noiser and ruder than she could ever imagine being at her age. On my last flight in Aug. I was told MANY times (over 20) how WELL behaved my children were, not only by other passengers, but by the stewardess' on BOTH flights. So I have no worries. I just needed to let the other families know what to expect and if they should call to make any adjustments to their tickets. Thanks all for the info--I couldnt call from work but we got everything settled and they were able to purchase a childs seat for $84.

 

[owtrbnks]

You're the one who said she screams the entire time she's in the car seat. You failed to mention all the accolades in your previous post.
Have a great trip!

 

[tjmw2727]

In light of your update then yes you "should" be able to preboard. Party of 2 with a "medical need" both parties can board. Party of 3, both parents can board with the under 2 or lap baby. Party of 3, both parents can preboard with the 2yo especially nice if they are using a CRS. If you need confirmation perhaps it would be worth a phone call to find out for sure.

Southwest.com is a great website with lots of information on traveling southwest and traveling in general.

TJ

 

[Stacy_C]

You're the one who said she screams the entire time she's in the car seat. You failed to mention all the accolades in your previous post.
Have a great trip!

She also said she planned on her child sitting in her lap, hence no car seat to cause her to scream and disturb the other passengers as you assumed.

 

[SB in KY]

On my last flight in Aug. I was told MANY times (over 20) how WELL behaved my children were, not only by other passengers, but by the stewardess' on BOTH flights.

What are you doing with your other child/children on this trip??

 

[inkkognito]

Stewardess...wow, I haven't seen/head that word in ages!
I wouldn't use it onboard the aircraft...I don't know about SW, but on ATA one of the flight attendants was spitting bullets when a man onboard referred to her by that word (of course, I don't think his patronizing attitude helped). We used to always sit right by the door, and whenever someone said stewardess, the flight attendants would make a comment once they had gone by.
Barb