SWA online checkin with lap baby?

[javaj]

On Southwest -- If traveling with an infant who doesn't have his own seat, can you still use online check-in?

Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think if you check Southwest's website, it will tell you you can't do that.

 

[Belle_20]

I see that lots of ppl have questions about SWA. Well, my sister is an emplyoee there, she's in customer service, which is tickets, baggage, and boarding. So if you have any questions just pm me.

 

[Lisa0503]

On Southwest -- If traveling with an infant who doesn't have his own seat, can you still use online check-in?

Thanks!

We flew SW last Sept with 2 'infants in arms'. We checked in online but it really didn't matter what letter we had since we pre-boarded the plane. When you are traveling with babies who don't have a seat, you do need to go to the ticket counter because the have to somehow code your reservation to include the baby so you will have no problem when boarding.... They need to actually see the baby to do this so you can't do it online....

 

[kaytieeldr]

Belle 20, that's a very kind, generous offer - but if people post their Southwest questions on this message board and you answer them here, MANY readers will benefit from your information. If you answer a PM, only the person who PMed you will read your response - and others will likely ask the same questions publicly, over and over again

 

[jackdis]

We flew SW last Sept with 2 'infants in arms'. We checked in online but it really didn't matter what letter we had since we pre-boarded the plane. When you are traveling with babies who don't have a seat, you do need to go to the ticket counter because the have to somehow code your reservation to include the baby so you will have no problem when boarding.... They need to actually see the baby to do this so you can't do it online....

So with a lap child you would board with the A group, regardless????

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

One adult carrying the baby would be allowed to preboard. Not all members of your party.

 

[Belle_20]

Belle 20, that's a very kind, generous offer - but if people post their Southwest questions on this message board and you answer them here, MANY readers will benefit from your information. If you answer a PM, only the person who PMed you will read your response - and others will likely ask the same questions publicly, over and over again

Yeah, I know what you mean, but I probably won't get to ask her any questions because she's been working so much. lol All of the thunderstorms here is making her work over.

 

[Lisa0503]

So with a lap child you would board with the A group, regardless????

You actually get to PRE-BOARD so you get on the plane even before the A group. All families with children under 5 are allowed to preboard. I have flown with a lap child, 3 times in the past 2 years and will again in Sept. I have always been able to pre-board with another adult (twice with DH & once on a trip I took with my mother). Other posters have said the SW policy is Mom & Dad with baby. I am not sure what the offical policy is but I have had no problems boarding with 2 adults and many families with children under 5 were pre-boarding. In some cases it was WHOLE families. I definately think that a family with teenage brothers/sisters and grandparents all pre-boarding with only 1 small child is an abuse of the system but for a couple traveling with a small child I think both should be able to board. I know it would take me much longer if I had to pre-board by myself...I don't know how I would manage holding baby while folding the stroller to gate check it and manage a carryon (that is what DH's are for...)

 

[puffkin]

We flew SW with a "lap baby" in June. It was myself, DH, my mom and the baby. I checked in online and got A boarding passes for everyone. When you get to the airport, you have to go to the counter and they will reissue you a boarding pass along with one for the baby (going I had A, but coming home I had B, they give you whatever you had originally).

In Philly, only myself and DH could preboard, my mom had to wait in the A line. In Orlando, they allowed all three of us to preboard with the baby.

So in summary, you can check in online, but you will still have to go to the counter for a boarding pass for the baby.