With the Oakland Airport just 12 minutes from my front door, my family flies Southwest Airlines a lot. Southwest is often a favorite airline of other frequently flying families as well, and with good reason.
Since Southwest has different rules and practices than other airlines, however, it can sometimes trip up inexperienced flyers, especially travelers with kids. But don't let that worry you! Southwest also has a number of unique perks that can be of great value for family travelers. You just need to know how to take advantage of all that the airline offers!
That's what this post is all about. Don't be unprepared for your next Southwest Airlines flight when you travel with your children. Whether you are flying with a lap child on Southwest, with young kids in their own seats, or with older tweens and teens, you can make your next family trip aboard Southwest a breeze with a little knowledge and preparation.
Our family has taken hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of Southwest flights with our kids at every age and stage. We've flown through nearly all of the airports Southwest serves most. As you might guess, we have learned many tricks along the way. Here are all the details you need to know to make the most of Southwest's policies and perks for your family too.
If you follow travel news, you've probably also seen that Southwest is set to change some of its longstanding policies and practices later in 2025, particularly when it comes to seating. While all of the details haven't yet been announced, this post also covers what we know about how things may change for families in the coming months. I'll be updating it further later this year, so bookmark it to check back.
Breaking Southwest News!
Editor's Note (March 11, 2025): Southwest Airlines just announced some major unexpected changes to several of the airline's core policies and fares effective May 28, 2025. These changes will necessitate multiple changes to numerous blog posts on this site in the coming weeks. To read the most up-to-date news while we await more details, please see this article on Southwest Airlines changes in 2025.
What You Need to Know About Flying Southwest Airlines with Kids
1) Free checked bags will save you a bundle.
You've probably seen the ads: "Bags Fly Free." Southwest is the last of the U.S. domestic airlines to still offer free checked bags - 2 bags per person up to 50 lbs each. Southwest's leadership team has made clear that it has no intention of changing this benefit even as it is making other changes to the airline in 2025.
Related: Free Things on Southwest Airlines
This is a real benefit for families who travel, as it is often difficult to pack light with all the gear that little ones require. I find that even when Southwest has slightly higher base fares than other airlines on similar routes, when you factor in bag fees, Southwest actually comes out as the cheaper overall option many times. This is especially true if you need to travel with specialty items, like a Pack N Play for your toddler to sleep or ski equipment for a family ski trip (skis fly free on Southwest too!).
If you do take advantage of the free bags, be aware that lap children do not get a baggage allowance. Also, checked strollers and car seats do not count against your free bag allowance. Those items always fly free no matter what.
2) Family boarding will allow you to get seats together as a family.
At the time this article is being republished, Southwest still doesn't have assigned seats unlike most other domestic carriers. Instead, the airline assigns boarding group numbers (A, B, & C, each numbered 1-60) to passengers, who are then free to take any open seat as they board.
As you can probably guess, the good seats like exit rows, aisles, and windows go fast. Passengers who board later in the process find that often only scattered middle seats available.
This might seem like a sticky situation for families who usually want to secure three or more seats together. But never fear! Southwest allows all families with children ages 6 and under to board between the A & B groups no matter what their assigned boarding numbers. (Occasionally, I've even seen Southwest experiment with allowing families with older kids to use family boarding on select flights too.)
In my many hundreds of flights aboard Southwest, I have always been able to secure three or four seats together for my family when we board during family boarding. I've been nearly separated from my kids far more often on the airlines that supposedly promise assigned seats.
3) There are other tricks for ensuring you sit together with older kids too.
If your children are older than 6 and you want to make sure you get seats together, there are options for sitting together as well.
First, there's always the "fastest finger" option, which is totally free (and my personal favorite). Southwest's boarding group numbers are assigned starting at exactly 24 hours before a flight. As long as you check in using the Southwest website or Southwest app at that very moment, you have an excellent chance of getting at least an early B group boarding pass.
In my experience, getting an A or early group B boarding position is certainly early enough for a family to find seats together. But you do have to be very fast when checking in - every second counts! Now that my younger child is over the age for family boarding, I set an alarm on my phone for 5 minutes before the 24 hour mark as an extra reminder.
Let's face it - busy parents don't always remember to check in at exactly 24 hours in advance, even if you do set an alarm. For longer flights when sitting together really matters, my advice is to consider paying for "Early Bird Check-in." The price varies starting at $15 each way, depending on demand. It can can be as high as $99 but I usually seen it max out around $30 for longer itineraries. Paying for this option puts you in the front of the check in line. This means you will usually secure an A group or early B group boarding pass.
There are a couple of other lesser-used options worth knowing about for families looking to snag early boarding. First, for those of you who fly Southwest enough to qualify for A-List or A-List Preferred status, you'll be guaranteed to board no later than at the end of the A group. The whole family doesn't get to tag along if only one person has status, but it sometimes helps to have one adult/parent board to try to save a row together.
Second, Business Select fares get automatic group A1-15 boarding positions. While these fares are often too pricey for families, if you are in a position where you need to purchase airfare last minute, Business Select fares are often only a few dollars more than Anytime fares. In this case, they might be worth the extra bucks for the early boarding guarantee.
Finally, Southwest also offers a product called Upgraded Boarding, which allows passengers to buy boarding positions A1-15 when available. This option costs at least $30, is available starting 24 hours before the flight (and up to 30 minutes before departure), and is good for that flight segment only.
If you hold either the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card from Chase (I may currently have both of these cards!), you can get these upgrades for free. Cardholders are entitled to a credit back for purchasing up to 4 priority boardings per year. This is a smart backup to have in a pinch for those times you forgot to check in at 24 hours and risked it without Early Bird. See my guide to Southwest credit cards for all the details.
4) Birth certificates are required for ALL lap children.
Flying with a child under age two on your lap? This is one situation in which Southwest's rules can actually be a trap for the unwary family traveler. Why? Southwest is the only airline that requires you to always show a birth certificate for your lap child.
This rule applies no matter what the age of your lap child and even for domestic flights. If you have flown another airline with a lap baby, chances are pretty good you would not have been asked for proof of age unless the child looked to be nearing the age of 2. Not so with Southwest. Even if you obviously have a newborn who would never be mistaken for a toddler nearing the two year cutoff, pack that birth certificate!
Related: Tips for Flying with a Lap Todder
What if you don't have a birth certificate yet for your child? In the past, the airline would sometimes accept hospital discharge papers or vaccination records from your child's pediatrician, but Southwest's official rules now say that a birth certificate, passport, or government ID are now the only documents it will accept (either the original or physical photocopy). Call the airline in advance if you find yourself in this situation, because enforcement differs from airport to airport and agent to agent.
5) Plan for extra time to get boarding verification documents for lap children.
In order to board your Southwest flight with a lap child, you need to obtain what is called a boarding verification document. This document is similar to a boarding pass and confirms that the child has been age verified by showing a birth certificate.
You can only get this boarding verification document at the ticket counter or kiosks (and also the Skycap curbside counters where available) at the airports pre-security. You cannot print or download it in advance like you can with other Southwest boarding passes. So, be sure to leave yourself extra time to check in at the ticket counter at the airport if you are traveling with a lap child, even if you aren't checking bags.
6) Southwest has minimal food, so pack lots of snacks.
There are a lot of things that will make your kids cranky when you fly, but don't let hunger be one of the causes! Air travel is hectic, and I never rely on being able to have time to buy food at the airport - especially not in recent years with many airport restaurants still short staffed and always endlessly under construction. Packing meals and snacks is simply a must when you have kids.
Related: 50 Kid-Friendly Snacks to Pack for Airplanes
It's even more important though when you fly Southwest because of the airline's limited food choices. Don't expect a sandwich or a hot meal for purchase like many other airlines have. Southwest has only pre-packaged snacks.
The snack options in Southwest have changed several times in the last couple of years, so if you haven't flown Southwest recently, you may see something new. If you were used to Southwest's pretzels or snack mix, you won't see them anymore (and if you were planning for peanuts, those were discontinued even before that due to allergies).
In 2025, the two most common offerings are Maui onion flavored pretzel sticks (on all flights) and cinnamon graham cracker bites (usually on morning flights). Very long flights may also have Oreo cookies aboard too. Flight attendants usually let you have more than one of each if you ask, but the snacks are not enough for most kids on anything but the shorter haul flights.
If you are bound for Hawaii on Southwest Airlines, there are additional food options on these flights. See my review of a Southwest flight to Hawaii for additional details and photos.
7) Southwest has ample kid-friendly entertainment (but BYOD & have a backup plan just in case).
Keeping kids entertained on planes is essential for a less stressful flight for parents. While we try in my family to pack a few tech-free entertainment options for our kids, electronic devices are also a crucial part of our strategy for passing the time.
Southwest's WiFi and in-flight entertainment options have really come a long way in the last decade or so. The airline pioneered $8 WiFi - cheaper than many other carriers - and Messaging apps iMessage and WhatsApp are free.
Southwest also has live streaming TV channels as well as in-flight movie options, all of which are free to access. The movies usually include a wide variety of new releases with plenty of kid-friendly G and PG choices.
The key, however, is that you must have your own device (and headphones!), as Southwest does not have any seat back screens like some airlines. The shows and movies rely on the airplane's WiFi connection working, so be sure to have a few shows or games downloaded locally to your kids' devices just in case, as that can be non-operational on some aircraft!
Note that years ago, in order to access movies on your smartphones or tablet, you had to first download the Southwest app on your device before the flight. Thankfully, this step is no longer needed (but I recommend having the Southwest app anyway for all its other uses). Just go to southwestwifi.com in your browser of choice to access all of the in-flight entertainment.
8) If there are extra seats on the plane, you can snag them for your lap child - for free.
Back to lap children for a second. Although I often purchased seats for my kids as babies and toddlers on other airlines, I didn't as often on Southwest. Why? Because of Southwest's unique seating policy!
Because Southwest has open seating, if there are open seats to be had anywhere on the plane, you can usually snag them for your lap child without paying for a ticket. Very few people will choose to sit next to you when you have a baby in full view.
You can improve your chances of securing that empty seat by choosing seats at the very back of the plane. Alternatively, claim the seat by bringing your car seat on board to occupy the extra space. Of course, be sure to check with the gate agents to make sure there are sufficient empty seats to allow you to bring the seat on board first. They'll give you the go ahead on flights that are not sold out.
9) Southwest's unaccompanied minor program is one of the best (and least expensive).
Speaking of money-saving tricks, Southwest has one more that families with older kids need to take note of. If your child is ready to fly as an unaccompanied minor, Southwest's policies are some of the best.
In 2025, Southwest charges $100 each way, while most other airlines charge $150. Southwest only charges, however, for 5-11 year olds. Kids who are 12 and up are free to travel without the service. Other airlines continue requiring paid supervision until kids turn 15, even if they don't need it.
My daughter flew on Southwest for her first experience as an unaccompanied minor when she was 10. Her brother did it a few years later at the same age. Both went down to Southern California for a weekend with their uncle. The gate agents and flight attendants took great care of our kids, and I was happy the service didn't cost an arm and a leg for such a short trip.
Now that my daughter is over the age limit, I'm also happy I will no longer have to pay to use the service when she needs to travel solo or supervising her younger brother in the future. Since we fly so much and she's independent and savvy, I'm totally ok with letting her fly on many similar non-stop flights between familiar airports without help.
10) Southwest's Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program is the most flexible and usable for family travelers.
Have you ever collected airline miles for years only to find them next to impossible to redeem at a decent rate when you actually want to use them? Or have you had trouble finding enough award tickets for a family of four or more on a single flight?
You'll have no such problems with Southwest. Why? If there are seats available for purchase with cash, you can redeem your Southwest Rapid Rewards points for them. This anytime availability makes Southwest's frequent flyer program the most practical and easy to use for traveling families in my experience.
So be sure to sign you and your kids up for Rapid Rewards accounts the very first time you plan to fly Southwest. It takes seconds. You'll accrue miles you can actually use. Points on Southwest also never expire, so it's not another date to track.
And be sure you are doing all you can to earn points for your family's next trip. Chase partners with Southwest to offer three different personal credit cards with big signup bonuses that can help add to your Rapid Rewards balance or occasional promotions that can help points add up faster.
Be sure to read my guide to which Southwest credit card is right for you for all the details on these offers and the specific card choices. There are two business card choices as well if you are eligible for a business card (and it's possible to have both a personal and business Southwest credit card as well, like I do!).
11) Southwest's no change fee policy affords flexibility to families.
For families, flexibility in travel is a huge benefit. With kids, things come up - from sickness to a school or extracurricular scheduling conflict.
For a long time, Southwest was the only US domestic airline that did not charge change fees when you had to cancel or change a booked trip. The airline offered a fare credit good for one year from booking when you needed to change your plans.
Then, other airlines added a no change fee benefit of their own in the turbulent travel times of 2020 and 2021. But Southwest responded by making their policies even better in 2022, eliminating the one year expiration dates on all flight credits. The bottom line? Southwest is far more generous than the competition when it comes to changing flights. (Related: Comparing Airline No Change Fee Policies: Which is the Best?)
So how does this work? If you need to cancel a trip, Southwest will issue you a flight credit for the full value of your ticket. There's no additional penalty or fee for this privilege or a special more expensive fare you need to have purchased in the first instance. And the flight credit now no longer expires. Ever!
If you need to change to a different flight, the same principles apply. If the new flight you book costs less money, you get the difference as a credit that doesn't expire. If the new flight costs more than what you originally booked, you won't pay any extra fees (but will of course have to pay the extra fare difference).
12) Southwest can even save your family money when fares drop.
Last but certainly not least is my favorite and most-used feature of traveling with Southwest. Not only can you change flights with no penalties on Southwest, but Southwest will also give you a credit back when a flight you already have booked drops in price. For families buying 3, 4, or more tickets, even small per ticket savings can really add up.
This isn't automatic - you have to call or rebook your flight online at a lower rate yourself. But if you watch for Southwest fare sales, you can often save your family some real money on future travel. And now that flight credits no longer expire, there are even fewer hassles when it comes to taking advantage of this benefit.
Note that if you booked your flight with Rapid Rewards points, your miles will be fully refunded to your account with taxes and fees refunded in full to your credit card.
Final Thoughts
Although Southwest does things somewhat differently than many other US airlines, we think it mostly does things better! As long as you understand the key points of difference, you won't get tripped up. And if you know where Southwest's unique rules have additional benefits for families, you can really take advantage - often saving money and time in the process.
A few things will change in 2025 as the airline moves towards seat assignments, but I'm hopeful that it will keep doing right by family travelers.
Be sure to check out Southwest's Children & Family Travel section on its website for the latest information and to read the fine print for yourself. And please share your tips for flying Southwest with family in the comments!
Disclosure: I was a paid Southwest Airlines #SouthwestStorytellers brand ambassador in 2018. I originally published this post back in 2014 before I had any relationship with the airline and have updated it multiple times independent of that relationship. As always, all opinions are my own.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article referenced discounted child fares. Southwest discontinued those fares on June 1, 2021.
Andrea, Passports And Pushchairs says
I'm so glad you posted about the birth certificate, for two reasons - one, people don't realize it for kids of all ages, and two, people never believe you don't need one for other airlines 🙂
Amanda says
I called a couple years ago to see what I'd need to have for my son they told me birth certificate and shot records. Always helps to call ahead, I asked millions of questions and the politely answered them all.
Frank says
2) Birth certificates are required for ALL lap children.
Southwest is the only airline that requires you to show a birth certificate for your lap child, no matter what his or her age. So even if you obviously have a newborn who would never be mistaken for a toddler nearing the two year cutoff, pack that birth certificate!
The Southwest employees lied when they said that it is an FAA requirement that all children regardless of age must show a birth certificate. According to their own web site this is not true. It is not an FAA requirement it is unique to Southwest. One of the Southwest Airline counter personnel at SFO seemed to derive great joy in making a young mother’s travel experience a miserable as possible starting with check-in! Until a more rational supervisor was requested, after tears and 30 minutes of waiting and verbal abuse by an officious check-in counter individual, the young mother was ready to cancel all plans to fly Southwest Airlines on a short hop from SFO to San Diego. The infant in question was five months old. After witnessing this incident I would avoid Southwest like the plague.
Liz says
@Frank,
I had the opposite experience. I watched a mom try to check in with no documents who was extremely rude and demanding, literally screaming at the check-in agent who was trying to explain that it's actually for the child's safety. I asked the other gate agent, who came to rescue me from waiting behind this woman who actually ran to jump in front of me at the counter, what the problem was. He explained it's actually to help prevent child abductions and trafficking. Even if the person is a parent with legit documents, at least it's in the system for tracking in case they aren't supposed to have the child. It also gives the agent a chance to check the system for any flags or alerts. As the child of a messy custody-fight divorce, I was glad to see how much Southwest cares about kids. It's not just because they're trying to squeeze more money out of you the day after your kid turns 2.
I'm sorry you saw the opposite, but I love Southwest and will never fly another airline if I have the choice. I would sincerely encourage you to give them another chance.
fromheretotherewithkids.com says
This is a fabulous post. I used to fly Southwest a ton when I lived in the USA. Read this before you go.
I love your blog and read all of your posts. You're like me but in the US 🙂
tripswithtykes says
Thanks for the reblog. Love your site as well!
fromheretotherewithkids.com says
Would you be up for a quick chat? Would love to talk to a fellow traveler.
tripswithtykes says
Sure! Email me offline at tripswithtykes@gmail.com and we can set something up.
Erik Hanson (@erikmhanson) says
Great post! One small correction: Southwest allows you to check a stroller and a car seat in addition to your two bag allowance.
tripswithtykes says
Eric - thanks so much for the information. Looks like Southwest has changed its policies since I last did my research. This is definitely good news for the many parents who regularly travel with kids on Southwest. I always thought it was a weird policy anyway! Thanks for helping me keep the blog up to date. I like for even my old posts to have accurately updated information, and I definitely rely on readers to spot things that I can and do miss.
Chlacey1128 says
How was the Oakland to midway trip? I'm planning on bringing my 20 month old on as a lap child, but am getting quit nervous. I may just bite the bullet and buy him a seat.
irene says
There's almost no clues at all about the child fare on southwest's site, so thanks for that bit of intel! I had to call to book the flight, but it was worth $50 off a last minute trip!
tripswithtykes says
Definitely worth checking those child (and also seniors) fares for last minute travel. Glad you saved some money!
Serena says
Thank you so much for this article! Just out of curiousity..... if you decide to try and keep the carseat incase there is an extra seat and don't check it in if theres not room can it count as one of your carry ons or is it to bug? Will it fit in the bins up top?
tripswithtykes says
A car seat would be too big to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat, so you need to clear with the gate agent before you board whether there is an extra seat for it (assuming you haven't bought a seat for your little one). If there is not space, the gate agent will gate check it with a baggage claim tag and you will get it get it back as you deplane right there on the jetway.
amywhitley says
Just an update: we flew Southwest last weekend, and there was a change fee for grabbing an earlier flight (or even trying standby) because we'd booked Wanna Get Away fares. The agent told me those are the only fares which are charged change fees.
tripswithtykes says
Amy - are you sure you weren't charged a fare difference? If you try a same day flight change or standby, those flights are almost always going to cost more than what you paid weeks in advance, so you would have to pay that fare difference (just as with any other airline). Southwest definitely doesn't have "change fees" on any fares (even Wanna Getaway), which are airline fees on top of what the difference in fare with the new flight costs. If the agent told you this, he/she was wrong. This is one of Southwest's big PR talking points, so that really surprises me: https://www.southwest.com/html/air/no-fees.html.
heather says
Hi- we are flying tomorrow with our 7 week old baby and we don't have his birth certificate yet. Will SWA accept other documentation in its place?? Eg. Shot records, birth paperwork from the hospital, etc?
tripswithtykes says
Thanks for commenting. Everything on the Southwest site (https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/family/children-pol.html & https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/family/baby-on-board-pol.html) indicates that a birth certificate is required, but I'd bet that they'd accept birth paperwork from the hospital given the circumstances. My advice would be to call Southwest's customer service line immediately for clarification and to explain the situation and see what they say. Don't leave it for at the airport tomorrow. Good luck!
Anita says
Great Article! I LOVE Southwest for traveling with kids. To answer the above question, I flew Southwest when my daughter was 2 weeks old and they did allow me to use the hospital verification of her birth since we did not have the birth certificate yet. I did call customer service well in advance to arrange this however so when we checked in it seemed to be in the system already and made things very smooth. Hope that helps anyone else with that question.
tripswithtykes says
Thanks for the confirmation, Anita. I suspected as much, but always good to have first-hand experience to confirm! I hate airport surprises...
Sam says
I spoke with a SW representative and he told me any hospital documentation that shows the birthdate works- even immunization records. Thank you for this great post! I was worried about the seating and how we were going to get three seats together when trying to carry on the carseat (in hopes of them having extra seats). This answered that question!
Anonymous says
They accept passports as well. I don't like traveling with my kids birth certificates, so I get them their passports as soon as I have their birth certificates, then take those with me for flights. Southwest accepted the passports without question.
Sandra says
Ah, thank you! We're in an adoption situation and we will have to "live" in the birth state for a while. Knowing the stroller and car seat won't count against us is such a relief. The website is unclear about it. We're checking the stroller and car seat on the way there and if all goes well the infant will fly home in the car seat on the way back! I know we're taking a lot, but I'd rather be comfortable while getting to know my child. Southwest and this article will help!
carley says
I found this extremely helpful. Thanks 🙂
Dina says
Do I need to contact SWA before my flight about my lap child? I couldn't register him when I bought the tickets or is that all handled at the counter when we check in?
tripswithtykes says
Thanks for commenting. No need to contact Southwest in advance about a lap child. It is handled at the counter at check-in where you get a boarding document for him/her. Remember that you MUST have a birth certificate or ID for proof of age on Southwest at the time.
Scott Johnson says
I am about to use Southwest Airlines with my family for the first time and I'm really nervous. I'm traveling with my wife, a 10 year old, and twin 6 year olds and I would like for all of us to sit together if possible. My wife says we should rely on the kindness of strangers to give up their seats so they aren't sitting next to 6 year olds. What would you recommend so that all of us could sit together?
tripswithtykes says
First, don't be nervous! Just be prepared. I wouldn't rely solely on the kindness of strangers with a family of 5 - too many moving pieces. While fellow passengers are usually super-nice on Southwest, there is a limit to what people give up for a middle seat, especially since you are dealing with slightly older kids (the threat of a toddler as a seatmate makes people move more quickly). As long as you check in online at EXACTLY 24 hours before your flight (I'm talking hit refresh every few seconds and have super-fast fingers when your 24 hour window goes live), you should be able to get a boarding group number that is low enough that you can sit together. If you don't want that pressure, pay for early-bird check-in which is $12.50 per person. It all but guarantees you an A boarding group or first few in the B boarding group. This is enough to get seats together. At the very least, you could buy Early Bird for one parent and the two 6 year olds so at least they would be together. Good luck!
Tosalyn says
I read on their website that Southwest will also provide a bag for your stroller for $15. That way it keeps it safe from anything where it is stored.
Frommy says
If you were to do that, maybe next time you fly, you can maybe use a garbage bag for the stroller. I figured it would be a good idea so you wouldn’t have to buy the stroller bag the airline produces. Just thought it would make life easier
rchia says
I found this post very useful. But I still need to make one thing clear and maybe you can help out: if I take my 1 yr son on my lap I don't need to buy or reserver anything before getting to the counter? Just go there on the day of the fight and ask for the BVD?
Thanks a lot.
tripswithtykes says
That is correct - no need to do anything until you go get a BVD at checkin for a lap child on all domestic routes. On international flights with Southwest, however, you need to call in advance to pay required taxes and fees for lap children.
Kari says
Hi, this was very helpful! I am flying alone with a lap child (almost 2) and a 4 year old and am very nervous about the whole bring car seat or not to bring. How much of a hassle would it be to fly with 2 car seats? I would only be guaranteed 1 & hope the flight is not full to grab extra seat for my lap child!
tripswithtykes says
Thanks for coming by to comment! Can you physically transport two car seats when traveling by yourself with two kids? I still haven't been able to master that! Have you considered a CARES harness for the almost two year old? It's really compact and if you aren't able to get an extra seat to use, no harm, no foul - just leave it in your bag. The four year old is old enough that a car seat isn't a necessity (at least on the plane), so that gives you more flexibility. I have a ton of tips and car seat questions answered in my recent 3 part guide to car seats and airplanes - check it out and let me know if it gives you any ideas! https://tripswithtykes.com/2015/06/17/car-seats-on-airplanes-part-1/
Anonymous says
Great article thanks for this!
Patti says
Great article, I did not know of discounted child fares as my grandchildren 7 and 3 have flown for full price since they had to pay when they reached 2, so I contact Southwest directly to book their flights? Their parents will also be coming home for Christmas. I plan to book tickets next week, thanks!
Julie says
Hi! Our 2 year old is flying southwest domestically with his grandparents next week. Do we need to give them some sort of letter of consent to fly? And if so, how official need it be? Thanks!
Sara says
What if I have a 2 week old infant who obviously doesn't have a government issued birth certificate yet ( still in process) can i still travel with the hospital issued birth certificate that has the name of the baby, both parents's name, date, time, and place? Would that be sufficient enough? Thanks
tripswithtykes says
My understanding from several others is that the hospital certificate works just fine, but you should call Southwest to confirm.
Anonymous says
I'm traveling with my 4 year old who has her own ticket, regular fare. Will she need to have her birth certificatr? Thx!
tripswithtykes says
Good question! No, you will not need a birth certificate for a child who has his or her own seat purchased.
Ang says
This has me totally freaking out. In MI you are not required to file for a birth certificate until 1 year. Plus I had a homebirth.... So no hospital records and my midwife does the first 2 months if baby checks. So my LO is like, not a real person because the government and the medical system hasn't validated her as a living being...
We fly SW on the 14th.
Any suggestions? I am flying "alone" with my 3 daughters.
Maybe I can show them the picture of her crowning during birth?
Anonymous says
I don't have a birth certificate yet for my 1 year old and we have flown with him 12+ times. I just bring a print out from our insurance company that has his birthdate. They seem to be fine with anything that's official.
Brittany says
When flying with a lap baby (7 months), am I still only allowed carry-on plus one personal-sized bag, or am I allowed carry-on, personal bag, AND diaper bag?
tripswithtykes says
My understanding (although the Southwest rules are currently not specific on this point) is that you do not get an additional bag allowance with a lap child. I would plan on counting a diaper bag as your "personal item."
Megan says
You should be fine to carry on the diaper bag in addition to your two other bags, I would just make sure that one of them is rather small. For example I carried on my backpack, my diaper bag and a grocery bag with our lunches in it with no problem.
Lindsey H. says
If you have a child that is two, do they have to be in a carseat while sitting in their seat?
tripswithtykes says
Car seats are not required at any age by either FAA or airline rules, but if you have a particularly active 2 year old, a car seat or CARES harness might be a good idea. There have been a few stories of families being kicked off of flights (although not Southwest as far as I know) when they couldn't restrain a tantruming toddler on taxi when seat belts are required. Just a good insurance policy for particularly active kids, in my opinion! Plus, safety too. We always carry our CARES harness with our 2 1/2 year old.
Jeremy says
How do you know what car seats you can or can't use on the plane? we'd rather not check them. Our 3 year old is still using a 3 point harness front facing, our 6 year old uses a highback booster that you thread a shoulder seat belt through.
Jason says
Good article but Southwest Airlines sucks! Horrible customer service and horrible connecting flight times.
CeCe says
Great article... What about formula and water for formula? Can this be carried on?
Anonymous says
Will they accept a photo copy of a birth certificate or does it have to be a certified copy? This is for my 9 month old lap rider.
Megan says
Depending on the airport you might be able to check in curbside with your lap child and they will give you your BVD. At Oakland we were made to check in at the counter (and ended up missing our flight) because they said we "had to"; at Atlanta we were checked in curb side and they printed out the BVD for us right there.
Leann H says
Thanks for the information! As far as car seats go, will most seats fit comfortably on Southwest flights? I noticed that they have their seat dimensions online, but all of our car seats seem to be bigger than what they say they can accommodate...This will be our 2 year olds first time flying, so I'm a little nervous about all the details. ????
tripswithtykes says
The published dimensions of the airplane seat are at the armrests but most car seats aren't at their broadest at that point, so you are likely ok. I've never witnessed someone whose car seats haven't fit. That said, I wouldn't take a heavy monstrosity of a car seat on board if you can help it - I really like the Cosco Scenera NEXT ($44 at Walmart) for air travel. It has always fit and is so light I can lift it with a single index finger.
R Burg says
Can a 27 month old travel as a lap child?
tripswithtykes says
Nope, the cutoff is 24 months to the day. Southwest checks birth certificates for all lap children (not all airlines consistently do) so there is no way to fudge it!
Lauren says
I have questions is the birth cert able to be a copy or original. Also what snacks can I bring for my baby? Will they allow anything for them plus juice? And one last one.. I plan to do family boarding since I'm gonna be crazy mom with a stroller baby bag and carseat getting on the plane. Do I put those 2 items with the flight attendants? I don't want to check them incase they get banged up or incase I can have an extra seat to put the carseat in.
Nessa says
Hi, I noticed that you sort of answered this question, but I just wanted to be sure! Have you ever had any issues with discussing extra seats with the employees at the gate? I'd like to bring my 3 month old's car seat, and possibly use an extra seat if there are some, but I'm worried about having an altercation with them if I ask.
T. Franklin says
Thank you so much for posting this article! We're about to travel with our 4 month old and your tips make me feel a little more confident about traveling with her. Also good tip on the birth certificate. I wouldn't have thought of that.
Glenda says
I just saw a video online in which a Dad traveling with a toddler who looked about 2-years-old was made to de-plane, because she was having a tantrum. By the time the supervisor came, the toddler had calmed down and was sitting quietly in her seat. The flight attendant and supervisor very nastily informed the Dad that he would have to de-plane and take another flight, citing airline policy. Passengers who came to his defense (reasonably, without screaming or acting out) were told they would also be forced to de-plane, if they continued to defend the Dad and toddler. This would definitely put me off using this airline.
Aimee says
I purchased 3 flights on the wanna get away fare and then called in and added my lap baby and was told they had to remove all three of our flights and rebook to add her. In doing this, they changed the flight to the "anytime" fare WITHOUT notifying me of the charge of $111. I used to really like Southwest and after some recent flight issues with them, I will not be flying them anymore.
Adam Hales says
Valuable Information. I really liked it
Christina says
Super helpful! To clarify, if I purchase a ticket for my infant on southwest, I don’t need to show a birth certificate? I can arrive empty-handed in regards to baby paperwork? And would only need A birth certificate in hand if they were flying free as a lap child? We are doing our first flight in a few weeks and this is really helpful! Thank you!
tripswithtykes says
That's right. If your little one has a ticket, no birth certificate needed.
Katie West says
OMG! Thanks a lot for sharing such an informative page about Complete Guide to Flying Southwest With Kids. I have read your valuable page and gotten much information. I have learned a lot from you that I did not know before. I confused for choosing the fly with kids information what would be the best for everything but now my confusion has cleared by your review 12 tips. I hope your all information on next year with my family. Thanks again Leslie and Keep it up………..
Ewokmama says
I love this article. It came at the perfect time, as this Christmas is the first time I'm flying Southwest with kids! I am wondering if I need to check in right at that 24 hour mark if I have a young child. Is it still a good policy, even though I will have access to early boarding? Also, we have 2 adults, a 4yo and a 12yo. Will we all be able to board as a family or only 1 adult with the 4yo??
tripswithtykes says
Both great questions. I don't think there is a need to race to check in right at 24 hours if you have a younger child. I do if I remember at the time for the chance at a slight better A group boarding pass, but don't stress it if I don't remember. I usually end up checking in a few hours later most of the time. As for family boarding, your entire family of 4 -- both parents, the 12 year old, and 4 year old -- will be able to board together. The only time Southwest restricts is when there is a family with more than two adults -- like grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. But an immediate family of two parents and all the kids can always board together.
Christina Clanton says
Thanks for sharing this helpful information. You are inspiring me to flying southwest with kids. I love traveling to different places. But I was worried about flying with kids? I was wondering how it is with flying with kids. Actually, I got a lot of information from your blog which you have written your blog. Review this article my confusion is clear, Thanks.
lweezar leanald says
Thank you for information , it is very helpful. Especially i did not know this part to travel with southwest , "Birth certificates are required for ALL lap children" Goodness, this save me and my baby a lot , thank you again.
Daniel Oconnell says
If I was traveling with my girlfriend and we a had a baby would we be the first ones on the plane
Jay says
I just got off the phone with a Southwest agent. Discounts for children is no longer a thing, even though the Southwest website says it may provide "Anytime" fare discounts for some flights. I spent over 3 hours in total waiting on the phone to discover this. So don't repeat my mistake! The agent was very rude and unhelpful. Disappointing experience given I use Southwest a lot for business travel. Guess Southwest isn't looking to support families anymore. Note that today's date is 18 Feb 2021, so maybe after all the COVID stuff runs its course Southwest will go back to offering child fares? I don't know. Very disappointing that Southwest's website is out of date. It literally tells you to call them when booking kids' fares to discover the discount. Don't waste your time!
Griffin says
Here’s another good one. If you and your partner sit in an aisle with two lap children, they can’t fill the third seat because each row only has four oxygen masks. So as long as the flight has 1 leftover seat, you’ll always receive that one free seat between you and your partner no matter what.
Liz says
I replied below already, but I wanted to make an independent comment. The age verification is to prevent child abductions and trafficking, it's not just because of fares and fees. Even if it's a custodial interference situation where the person is actually the parent and has legit paperwork, it still allows for tracking and for the agent to check the system for flags if the abduction has been reported to law enforcement. These policies are in place because Southwest actually cares about its guests and kids and wants to keep everyone safe. I understand it can be frustrating if you show up without the documentation, but please realize how grateful you'd be if that agent stopped a stranger from taking your toddler. Please work with them and be patient, the agents realize travel is stressful and I'm sure 99% of them will do everything they can to help you. Do your research and call ahead. Good luck in your travels as we all set out into the world again!
Krista says
Thank you for your research and helpful tips. They're all wonderful!
Mary says
We are flying southwest for the first time next week. We have 4 children, but only the youngest is under 6. Do people save seats? I know only 2 of us can board with our youngest (thinking one parent and our second youngest). Can those three save seats for the rest of us until we board?
Ed Baugh says
Are more than one adult escort allowed to go through tsa to boarding area either with a single unaccompanied minor departing or by themselves to pick up an unaccompanied minor?
Kathryn says
Hey Leslie! Do you usually still get to sit together even when flying to places where everyone is a family (e.g. Orlando). We listen to you and Joe all the time and I was so thankful to find your article (as I was about to panic buy early bird check-in for all of us). Our kids (5 and 3) have never flown before and I've never flown with Southwest before, so I just want to know what we're getting into here. Thanks!