Do car seats fly free on Southwest?

Customers traveling with children will be allowed to check one stroller and one Child Restraint System (CRS) or car seat per child without charge. This is in addition to the regular free baggage allowance.



Yes, on Southwest Airlines, car seats and strollers fly completely free of charge. Each ticketed customer is allowed to check one car seat (child restraint system) and one stroller at no extra cost. This can be done at the ticket counter, at the curb (where available), or right at the boarding gate. Gate-checking is often the preferred "High-Fidelity" choice for parents, as it allows them to use the stroller through the airport and ensures the car seat is waiting on the jet bridge upon arrival. If you have purchased a seat for your child, you can also bring an FAA-approved car seat into the cabin to use during the flight; this does not count against your carry-on limit. In 2026, Southwest continues to be one of the most family-friendly carriers, explicitly excluding these essential safety items from their "two free checked bags" limit, allowing families to pack more for their journey without incurring oversized or extra-item fees.

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If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge), they don't need a boarding pass; however, you'll need a Boarding Verification Document (BVD) for the infant so they can board. BVDs can be printed at the airport on the day of travel at a kiosk or the ticket counter.

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Children's strollers and child safety seats are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can be easily checked for free. For your convenience, these items may be checked at the curbside, the ticket counter or at the gate. Child safety seats may be brought on board the plane in certain circumstances.

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Southwest Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly recommend that infants and small children who weigh 40 pounds or less be secured in an appropriate CRS when traveling by air. Several frequent posters, including myself, recommend the CARES child restraint.

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Yes the car seats and boosters are all checked in free on any airline and don't count as luggage. You can check them in at the counter and don't have to take to the gate. Same with stroller. You don't need to put them in a bag but you can put the car seat in the car seat bag if you have one.

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If you are referring to a car seat bag, yes, you can check one booster or car seat per child traveling so you can put both in a bag. That bag does not count against your checked baggage allowance.

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Employees may ask for age verification at any point, so please travel with a copy or original form of any government-issued ID, such as a birth certificate or passport for your child. A medical release for travel is required for any infant under 14 days old.

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Re: Carry on pillow No since it will be held and will not go in storage overhead or under the seat in front of the passenger.

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Is there a cost? You can bring 2 items of carry-on baby equipment for free. This can include a pushchair/buggy, car seat, booster seat or travel cot. These will need to be tagged at the check-in desk or at the boarding gate.

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Up to two adults traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding. There should be enough open seats to enable the child to sit next to at least one accompanying adult.

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Accompanied children ages 2 through 11 may be charged the applicable Child's Fare or purchase a Wanna Get Away Fare or Anytime Fare for the flight. At the time of travel, proof of age may be required. Same conditions described above apply when exchanging the confirmation number for the child's boarding pass.

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Although children who have not reached their second birthday are permitted to travel as lap children, the FAA strongly discourages this practice and recommends that you secure your child in an approved CRS in their own seat for the entire flight.

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