Tips for flying SWA w/ a 5 1/2 year old

[msfredna]

We will be flying to WDW from Nashville in May. I have only flown once before (it's been over 14 years ago). This is the first time flying for my 5 1/2 year-old DD. Any tips for us? Does SWA offer movies? If so, are there individual screens and what type of movies are shown? Any other tips will be appreciated.
Thanks-
Melanie

 

[Catrin]

Southwest is as budget of an airline as they come.....

I love flying them.. no nonsense, just casual atmosphere. That being said, they do not have any frills like TV screens etc. Bring your own snacks and entertainment. My kids had their gameboys, and that was fine for them. I don't think the flight is that long from Nashville..... so some books? and maybe a set of headphones? At that age, the kids are so excited about flying that I am sure you will be fine.
Have FUN
Catrin

 

[madge]

the flight is less than 2 hours--I love flying out of Nashville!

 

[CinderellasMama]

SW offers nothing in the way of entertainment unless you count the flight attendants.....lol! They can be pretty funny. You should check out the show Airline on A&E network. It's a reality show about Southwest Airlines. Just take into account that when it shows bad things that it is usually the extreme and usually the customers fault. I have always had good experiences flying SW.

As far as stuff for kids to do...hand held games (with headphones), coloring books and colors, books, etc. Your flight won't really be that long between take off, landing, drink service, etc.

Have a great time! Brenda

 

[Melrosgirl]

SW doesn't have assigned seating, so get there early. I call it the cattle call. They divide passengers into 3 groups. A, B, C. A's board first. First come, first serve. Try to print out your boarding pass online that morning. You'll be guaranteed an A ticket, so you can be among the first to get a seat.

 

[pooh4evr]

WE are also flying southwest for our trip, the travel agent said we would get to board first because we have small children (although I imagine most people flying to Orlando do) Hopefully this will help out with the "cattle call". We are bringing our own snacks and coloring books for the kids on the plane.

 

[pezpam]

5 1/2 isn't young enough to get you on the plane early, though. I think it's worth it to print out the boarding card ahead of time or get to the airport early - the earlier you board, the more likely you'll have an easy time finding seats together. 2 hours on a plane and even some extra airport time is pretty easy to fill with a book or two, a coloring book, a favorite toy...... Heck, for little ones, just watching out the window will eat up a good chunk of the time.

I used to fly nonstop from Tokyo to Philadelphia and back - alone with my daughter who went from age 8 months to 2 years old during those trips. While she was always well-behaved, those trips have made me much more sane about my 3-4 hour flight to Orlando.

 

[tjmw2727]

WE are also flying southwest for our trip, the travel agent said we would get to board first because we have small children (although I imagine most people flying to Orlando do) Hopefully this will help out with the "cattle call". We are bringing our own snacks and coloring books for the kids on the plane.

Just FYI, this is true if you have children 5 and under and is up to the discretion of the crew at the airport. You will likely be able to pre-board at your home airport but often Orlando suspends the pre-boarding for families. At Orlando at least 1/2 of the flight if not more would be pre-boarding. Best bet is to try for those A passes.

At 5 1/2 your child should have fun flying, mine loved it at that age. They liked sticker books, coloring books and I often packed interesting snacks. Often something that they were not allowed at home like gummy characters ~ also good for ears. My girls love ring pops so they were a must for the flights as well as water bottles with the sports top. Again, helps with ears and prevents dehydration. Gameboy with headphones if you have or can borrow one, they now have mini movies and cartoons you can play on the GB.
TJ

 

[ksoehrlein]

So 5 is the magic age where kids are no longer considered "young children" for preboarding purposes? I guess we'll be allowed to preboard on the way there but not the way back?

I don't really care, as long as we can sit together. Guess we'll be rushing to make sure we're in the A boarding group!

Thanks, TJ, for the snack tips!

 

[msfredna]

Thanks for all the tips!
My DD does have a gameboy. I need to buy her some headphones and I plan on buying her the Princess game for it and surprising her with it that morning. That should buy us a little bit of entertainment time on the plane. I plan on printing out our boarding pass that morning. We will be leaving on Mother's Day at 8:55 am. What time should we plan on being there so we can be part of the "A" group?
Thanks again!
Melanie

 

[zurgswife]

You really should print out your boarding pass at home. if it is an early am flight I suggest staying up unti 12:01am the day of departure. it is very easy to do and you don't need to worry about getting there (depending on your airport) more then 1hr 30min early...

 

[liveforthemagic]

I wouldn't worry too much about flying with her at that age. My DD had just turned 5 when we flew, first time, on SW, to DW! She was so excited about the whole thing she thought the ride from the parking lot in the tram to the airport was the trip!

We did bring stuff for her to do--make sure you have her chewing gum in case her ears would start to pop--that startles them. Or bring some bottled water or whatever so she can drink something if they plug up. That usually opens them up. We brought a little handheld CD player with a disney CD that she had never heard before and she loved that. Then we also brought the Princess CD that plays all the love songs tht she listens to everynight when she sleeps--that came in handy at first because she was a little concerned--mostly because it is a little noisy during take off.

It is such a short flight--by the time she has her snack (that you bring) and maybe colors a little or reads you a story--it might be time to get ready to land. The droning of the engine also seemed to make her a little drowsy--so don't worry about her being too hyper.

And the best of all--on your way home she will be so tired she will drift right off! Don't forget to get some great pics of her first airplane ride!

 

[3NTN4WDW]

We've flown SW from Nashville with our 5 year old and will be going again in May. It's a short flight and a gameboy or portable DVD player helps! Sometimes the pilot offers to let your first time flyer to get to see the cockpit. We spend a lot of time looking out the window which usually keeps their attention for a good part of the flight. Have fun!
-Lisa
Hendersonville, Tennessee

BWV May 22-31

 

[WaltD4Me]

Ok, I've flown SW before and I know how their seating goes and I plan to print out my boarding pass at 12:01 am the day we leave, but now I'm a little worried about the ride back because it's only me and my 5 year old DD...it's probably a dumb question, but there isn't any chance we'll be split up is there? I can't imagine her sitting without me. Will the "A" boarding pass apply on the return trip too? I can't remember how that works.

 

[Coach Rick]

Ok, I've flown SW before and I know how their seating goes and I plan to print out my boarding pass at 12:01 am the day we leave, but now I'm a little worried about the ride back because it's only me and my 5 year old DD...it's probably a dumb question, but there isn't any chance we'll be split up is there? I can't imagine her sitting without me. Will the "A" boarding pass apply on the return trip too? I can't remember how that works.

First of all, yes you do need a new boarding pass for the trip home, but good news is to go to the front desk of your WDW Resort with your flight information, and they will be happy to print it for you. Second, Southwest has always been very easy to work with in my experience. In 2002 they played along with a huge surprise I had for my three kids. We had told a little white lie to them, and said we were flying to Pittsburgh, why Pitt, I don't know, but anyhow when we checked our baggage I told the attendant there, and she called to the boarding ramp, and they took down the signs showing where that flight was going, and then put us on the plane before everyone else. Even the pilot was careful to say where we were going in his inflight announcements. They really didn't know where we were until we pulled in to the Poly, and told them. Then it looked a little like this Then I got Below in my sig is a pic of my DS 12 when we were getting off in Orlando. Not sure if they will still do that with all the security now, but they have always been awesome. I even don't mind being on hold when I call (usually for group sales). It does amaze me that it takes as long to fly from Nashville, as it does from Providence, RI.

 

[msfredna]

First of all, yes you do need a new boarding pass for the trip home, but good news is to go to the front desk of your WDW Resort with your flight information, and they will be happy to print it for you. Second, Southwest has always been very easy to work with in my experience. In 2002 they played along with a huge surprise I had for my three kids. We had told a little white lie to them, and said we were flying to Pittsburgh, why Pitt, I don't know, but anyhow when we checked our baggage I told the attendant there, and she called to the boarding ramp, and they took down the signs showing where that flight was going, and then put us on the plane before everyone else. Even the pilot was careful to say where we were going in his inflight announcements. They really didn't know where we were until we pulled in to the Poly, and told them. Then it looked a little like this Then I got Below in my sig is a pic of my DS 12 when we were getting off in Orlando. Not sure if they will still do that with all the security now, but they have always been awesome. I even don't mind being on hold when I call (usually for group sales). It does amaze me that it takes as long to fly from Nashville, as it does from Providence, RI.

That is such a hoot!!!!!!! Your children will NEVER forget it!

 

[sarahsmom73]

SO I have a question


I am flying solo with DD 3 1/2 from Alb to MCO on 4/5... If I print out the boarding pass does this mean I can't preboard with her?

 

[Coach Rick]

SO I have a question


I am flying solo with DD 3 1/2 from Alb to MCO on 4/5... If I print out the boarding pass does this mean I can't preboard with her?

No, you just let them know, and you will be able to pre-board. Under 5 is elibable, along with handicaped.

 

[sarahsmom73]

Great! Thanks!