Thinking about flying SW with 3 children-Help

[jessiesue]

I do not fly much so I am not familair with how it works. We always drive. Will they let us sit together? I am hoping to get A boarding passes but you never know I could get B. I know there are only 3 seats across but at least they can seat together. I was hoping to seat in aisle seat on opposite side. My children never flew before and I know they will be scared yet excited. I could never have them seperated throughout the plane. They are 12, 10, & 8.

 

[TheWog]

Even if you get a B the likelihood of you sitting with your children is still there. You just won't be sitting at the front of the plane. If you are truly concerned, SW may not be the right airline, but if you log on right at the 24 hour mark you shouldn't have an issue.

 

[HelenParr]

I think you would be fine with kids that age. If you get an A boarding pass, you will have no trouble finding seats next to each other. You line up by boarding pass number number, and then first come first serve once walking into the aircraft. There are roughly 60 possible people in each class A, B and C. Special needs folks board first, including people needing mobility assistance, children under 12 flying alone.

The Boarding passes are assigned first by super frequent flyers/business class/higher ticket price flyers (which there are usually none to Orlando on our flights, or maybe one), that accounts for A1-15, and then in order in which you checked in. So the first number after business class is A16 (and is often the first person on because there are so few flying at the higher fee).

Once all As are boarded, then families (who were not already in A), then Bs and then Cs. So you can't do any worse than right after the As (roughly 45 people deep plus special needs folks), and it is unlikely you will have trouble sitting together.

The seats are 3 on a side (with the exception of the exit row, where one row has 2 across, but you couldn't use that anyway with kids -- and sometimes in the way back one row has only 2 across). There is a flight attendant in the exit row so you'll know where you can't sit with kids. We have always noticed everyone is pretty helpful and usually can move around to be sure families stick together -- not 100% but 90% observation true.

You can check in online, and if you do that right at 24 hour mark, you almost always get an A.

 

[crashbb]

Once all As are boarded, then families (who were not already in A), then Bs and then Cs. So you can't do any worse than right after the As (roughly 45 people deep plus special needs folks), and it is unlikely you will have trouble sitting together.

Family boarding is for those with children 4 and under, so the OP would not be able to board then. If the OP gets a B or C boarding pass, she (and her kids) will have to board with the B or Cs.

That being said, if you check-in on line at (or close to) the 24 hour mark, you should be able to get an A boarding pass.

 

[scootch]

Just sit by your computer at the 24 hour mark.... and refresh so you get right in, you will likely get A. If not, even with B you will ok. Then just tell you kids or whoever is first to grab the first row that is empty. The worst you will get is in front/in back of each other. I wouldnt' be too concerned. I take my two girls by myself and have done so since they were 2 and 5 and fly southwest all the time.

 

[TheWog]

Once all As are boarded, then families (who were not already in A), then Bs and then Cs. So you can't do any worse than right after the As (roughly 45 people deep plus special needs folks), and it is unlikely you will have trouble sitting together.

Unfortunately, her family won't qualify for that perk. Her children are too old.

 

[Lewisc]

Even the 8 year old is old enough to ride a school bus. PP are right, even a B BP will get seats together BUT it's not the end of the world if some of your kids wind up sitting a couple of rows from the rest of you. It could happen if you don't allow enough time to get to the airport and the plane starts boarding before you get to the gate. It could happen if you're taking a connecting flight and you don't get to your second flight until after it starts boarding. It could even happen if you agree to change seats to accomodate a family with young kids.

Don't panic if you wind up having to split up. The kids won't panic if you don't.

 

[La2kw]

I always refused to fly SW when I had small kids. It's just not worth the chance of not getting seats together, especially if the kids are nervous flyers. I am also a fearful flyer, so I need to have everything in place before stepping on the plane- and that means assigned seats. I have always gotten prices that rivaled those of SW on jetBlue. With jetBlue, I can pick my seat and they don't overbook, so I'm not going to get bumped.

 

[HelenParr]

My bad! I totally forgot about the 4 and under part. Good correction.

I wanted to add to the OP: if you are going to be nervous, it may not be right for you, even though it almost certainly won't be a problem sitting next to or very near one another. Disney trip should be fun if possible, not scary, even the flight part.

 

[ccgirl]

I only fly SW and have never had a problem sitting together. We have even gotten 'C' and sat together. We usually check in 24 hrs in advance and get A. Sometimes the pre-board is for families with children 2 and under, depending on the destination (i.e. Orlando). Else, 75% of the plane would pre-board. It is also only for immediate familiy. For example, grandma and grandpa can't go with the small child too if mom and dad are also there. I have also heard the flight attendants asking if anyone would be willing to move so families can sit together. In all the flights I have taken, I have not heard of a family that was separated (at least not willingly ) No worries. It will be fine.

 

[timmac]

Not directly related, but I'm thinking about what would happen if some of my children ended up sitting a few rows away from me... I'm thinking my 8 year old would have ingested multiple cans of Coca Cola by the time we got there...

 

[pooh4evr]

We have flown SW woth our kids a few times and haven't had a problem- get the A passes and relax- you won't be able to do the family boarding but if you check in 24 hrs ahead you should be just fine. Have fun.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We are a family of 4 and have flown SWA many, many times. We've never been separated where my kids have had to sit alone, even with B passes. Then again we learned the system and check in as close to 24 hr mark as possible.
The only time we were somewhat separated was back in Jan when our flight home was extremely delayed due to snow in Philly. They put us on an earlier flight but had to give up our A passes for C passes with varying #s (non-consecutive.) Dh had a lower # so he boarded before me and kept ds12 with him. He sat way in the back with ds12 hoping we'd get to sit with him but when I found 2 empties, I grabbed them for me and ds9. So while yes, we were separated, we still didn't have our kids sit alone.

OP, will you be traveling alone with your 3 kids? If not, have your dh or other adult sit with the older one while you sit with the younger 2. If yes, then have the 3 kids sit together and you sit across the aisle as pp said all planes are 3x3.
We usually sit behind each other with a child at each window. This way is easy to pass gum, headphones, etc. to each other and no bickering over who gets a window.

I would never avoid SWA just b/c they don't preassign seats. Many bigger airlines that pre assign seats rearrange seats later rearrange everyone when they make scheduling changes or aircraft changes. Don't count on that assigned seat.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Not directly related, but I'm thinking about what would happen if some of my children ended up sitting a few rows away from me... I'm thinking my 8 year old would have ingested multiple cans of Coca Cola by the time we got there...

Like this?

 

[SwhJess]

I've never flown SW and I definitely understand the advice on this thread about being at your computer 24 hrs ahead to get the "A" boarding pass...but I have a question. On the way to WDW, that makes sense. On your way HOME from WDW...how are you getting an "A"? Going to the checkin/checkout desk at the hotel at the 24 hr mark before your return?

Maybe it's just me, but that day before we leave, DH and I are trying to cram as much park time in as possible and not wanting to have to come back to the hotel mid-day, mid-evening, etc... TIA !

 

[Avonlady1001]

I've never flown SW and I definitely understand the advice on this thread about being at your computer 24 hrs ahead to get the "A" boarding pass...but I have a question. On the way to WDW, that makes sense. On your way HOME from WDW...how are you getting an "A"? Going to the checkin/checkout desk at the hotel at the 24 hr mark before your return?

Maybe it's just me, but that day before we leave, DH and I are trying to cram as much park time in as possible and not wanting to have to come back to the hotel mid-day, mid-evening, etc... TIA !

Get a family member at home to do it! They get you an A or they're no longer your family member.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I've never flown SW and I definitely understand the advice on this thread about being at your computer 24 hrs ahead to get the "A" boarding pass...but I have a question. On the way to WDW, that makes sense. On your way HOME from WDW...how are you getting an "A"? Going to the checkin/checkout desk at the hotel at the 24 hr mark before your return?

Maybe it's just me, but that day before we leave, DH and I are trying to cram as much park time in as possible and not wanting to have to come back to the hotel mid-day, mid-evening, etc... TIA !

Easy-peasy. We have a web-enabled cell phone. We've checked in while watching the preshow to Muppet 3D. Didn't waste 1 precious minute of vacay time.

 

[NotUrsula]

Easy-peasy. We have a web-enabled cell phone. We've checked in while watching the preshow to Muppet 3D. Didn't waste 1 precious minute of vacay time.

Last trip I literally checked in while riding the Aladdin carpets. That was interesting.

 

[SwhJess]

Get a family member at home to do it! They get you an A or they're no longer your family member.

Haha! I like that. Check us in, or no suvenier for you!

Or the web-enabled cell. We'd have to not still be in the Stone Ages with our old cell phones though.

Thanks for the suggestions!!

 

[prncess674]

Don't panic if you wind up having to split up. The kids won't panic if you don't.

I think this is some very sage advice. Just tell your kids it is like riding the bus to school.