What does southwest consider a small child?

[ALD85]

I've never flown southwest and will most likely be doing so for our next trip. They say those traveling with "small children" board first. Up to what age is that? Will my 6 year old be considered a small child?

 

[Ejpats]

Families with small children don't actually board first. They board in between A and B group. Unfortunately, 4 years or younger is what Southwest considers a young child. However, I have seen families with children older than 4 line up for family boarding. Realistically, if you just pay for EBCI or check-in right at the 24 hour mark, you won't have a problem finding seats for you and your daughter.

 

[scard192]

Families with small children don't actually board first. They board in between A and B group. Unfortunately, 4 years or younger is what Southwest considers a young child. However, I have seen families with children older than 4 line up for family boarding. Realistically, if you just pay for EBCI or check-in right at the 24 hour mark, you won't have a problem finding seats for you and your daughter.

SW often only allows only one parent to board with child under 4. The other parent and other family members board with whatever boarding number they have.

as PP said if you want to board early buying EBCI is the way to go

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, an adult traveling with a child 4 years or younger can board during Family Boarding time (between the "A" and "B" groups).

I found this on the southwest website:

An adult traveling with a child four years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding.

http://www.southwest.com/html/travel-experience/boarding-your-flight/?int=SUBNAV-FLYSWA-BOARDING

 

[helenk]

SW often only allows only one parent to board with child under 4. The other parent and other family members board with whatever boarding number they have.

as PP said if you want to board early buying EBCI is the way to go

Any time I have flown with SW they have allowed both parents to board. The do discourage extended family members from boarding with them, like grand-parents.

 

[DebbieB]

Any time I have flown with SW they have allowed both parents to board. The do discourage extended family members from boarding with them, like grand-parents.

That's been my experience, parents and siblings. Other relatives board with their number. I've seen them actually turn away grandparents. Not that it really matters because most end up saving seats.

 

[helenk]

That's been my experience, parents and siblings. Other relatives board with their number. I've seen them actually turn away grandparents. Not that it really matters because most end up saving seats.

That is true.

 

[Kristie911]

My daughter is 3 so I'm assuming I will be allowed to board with her but I'm crossing my fingers that my DH and DS (9) are allowed to board with us...my son is NOT going to be happy if he has to sit with his stepdad completely separate from my daughter and I. LOL Might be good for them though...a bit of "bonding" time.

We're leaving from a relatively small airport on our outbound trip, so I'm hoping that works in our favor.

 

[DopeyDame]

My daughter is 3 so I'm assuming I will be allowed to board with her but I'm crossing my fingers that my DH and DS (9) are allowed to board with us...my son is NOT going to be happy if he has to sit with his stepdad completely separate from my daughter and I. LOL Might be good for them though...a bit of "bonding" time.

We're leaving from a relatively small airport on our outbound trip, so I'm hoping that works in our favor.

Officially, it will just be you and your daughter allowed to board. that said, I've never seen them turn away a family with another young-ish child and one additional parent. It's the groups that try to board their teenagers, grandparents, and long-lost cousins that get turned away.

 

[kaytieeldr]

My daughter is 3 so I'm assuming I will be allowed to board with her but I'm crossing my fingers that my DH and DS (9) are allowed to board with us...my son is NOT going to be happy if he has to sit with his stepdad completely separate from my daughter and I. LOL Might be good for them though...a bit of "bonding" time.

We're leaving from a relatively small airport on our outbound trip, so I'm hoping that works in our favor.

Well, you could let your husband and daughter board together while you board with your son.
Or you could get EBCI for all four of you and increase your chances of boarding before the families.
Or you could get EBCI for just the men, then you and your daughter board in the family group.
Or you ignore all these options and get your boarding passes exactly 24 hours before your flight and all board together.