Do children get to board first on Southwest?

Depends on your definition of young. Here's Southwest's policy regarding family boarding: An adult 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.



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It's technically limited to one adult traveling with a child six years old or younger, but some agents allow multiple family members to board together at that time. Preboarding is for passengers with a disability that have specific seating needs and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft.

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Preboarding is available for Customers with disabilities who need a specific seat to accommodate a disability, need assistance boarding the aircraft, or need to stow an assistive device.

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Depending on their ages and which airline you have chosen, some airlines invite families to board in front of everybody else, while others allow those with kids to slide in somewhere between elite passengers and regular coach-flying folk.

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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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The current U.S. airline family boarding policies are: Alaska Airlines: Families with children younger than 2 can board at the beginning of the process, before first-class and elite customers. American Airlines: Families with children board before first-class and elite members upon request only.

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Minors under the age of 18 will not need ID to pass through security, they only need a boarding pass to board the plane if they are accompanied by an adult. Although it isn't required, it may feel weird traveling without some sort of ID for your kids.

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If you have paid for upgrades in the past for this reason, request refunds from Southwest and explain that you were attempting to preboard. You do not have to disclose the disability nor discuss it in any way. Simply self identify and you will be permitted to preboard.

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Travel Companions Can Now Board With Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred Members. Anyone on the SAME RESERVATION (that means you'll have the same confirmation number) on Southwest Airlines as someone who holds elite status with Southwest (called A-List or A-List Preferred) can now board with the elite status member.

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EarlyBird Check-In Customers will have their boarding positions reserved beginning 36 hours prior to their flight's scheduled local departure time. Boarding passes can be accessed beginning 24 hours prior to the flight's scheduled local departure time.

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To keep flights orderly and boarding smooth, airlines calculate that it makes sense for small children to board early with a parent and get settled before the anxious masses wanting an on-time or early departure.

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Southwest offers Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding. Up to two adults traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding.

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Most airlines allow children to fly in business and first and even provide extra amenities to make the flight extra special.

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Mercifully, first-class cabins are designed to make kids feel as at home as possible, with a fully flat bed set up with soft pillows and blankets. So if you're planning a long-haul flight, a first-class cabin can be well worth it for the extra shut-eye for your kids (and fellow passengers).

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Q: Can I use family boarding if I am traveling with a 7-year-old? A: No, technically, you won't be eligible for family boarding if your child is 7. However, it definitely happens and you probably won't be turned down at the gate.

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One child over 14 days old and under two (2) years of age not occupying a seat may be carried free of charge when traveling with someone 12 years of age or older. If you plan to travel with an infant as a Lap Child, you must pay the taxes and fees that apply to the international portion of the infant's itinerary.

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Just let them know you would like to request preboarding due to a disability that requires a specific seat. They aren't supposed to ask what your disability is. They're only supposed to ask if you need assistance during boarding, a specific seat, or extra time to board.

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