To allow enough time for check-in, arrive early and be sure to have any required travel documents. You may have to present proof of age like a birth certificate for any children under the age of 18. Families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate.

Yes, in 2026, most major airlines offer "Family Boarding" or "Pre-boarding" for families traveling with small children (typically ages 6 and under, though the exact age limit varies by carrier). This usually occurs after "Pre-boarding" for passengers with disabilities and "Global Services" or "First Class" members, but before the general "Group 1" boarding. For example, Southwest Airlines invites families with children aged 6 or younger to board between the A and B groups. This allows parents extra time to collapse strollers (which are typically "gate-checked"), install car seats, and settle their children without the pressure of a crowded aisle. For the best experience, families should listen closely for the gate agent's announcement; if you miss the specific family window, you will generally have to board with your assigned group. Some airlines also now offer dedicated family security lanes at major airports through the TSA's "Families on the Fly" initiative to further reduce the stress of traveling with little ones.