Do kids get to board first on Southwest?

The Southwest family boarding process starts after the “A” group has been boarded but before the “B” group begins boarding. The family boarding policy allows up to two adults traveling with a child six or younger to board earlier and, hopefully, secure seating together.



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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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Families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate.

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United, the airline I fly most often, explicitly limits pre-boarding to families with children two and under (though never actually enforces it). Two strikes me as too young to cut off pre-boarding, but once children hit five or six, they generally are able to wait in line and board with everyone else.

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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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Southwest follows an open seating style, meaning there are no assigned seats. You'll be assigned a boarding group (either A, B, or C) and position (1-60+) upon check-in, which determines your boarding order. Once on board, you choose your seat. If you're last to board, you likely won't get to sit with your family.

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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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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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All Customers traveling on a multi-passenger reservation with a Tier Member (A-List or A-List Preferred) booked on the same reservation will receive reserved sequential boarding positions directly behind the Tier Member.

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Will minors need an ID to fly domestically? Neither Southwest Airlines nor the TSA require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. There is, however, an exception for Unaccompanied Minors traveling on Southwest Airlines.

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B boarding group: This is the next best boarding group to be in if you want the chance to select a seat you can live with. However, being near the beginning of the B group is a lot better than the end.

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If you are both on the same reservation, you will both be checked in together! Happy flying.

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Yes, Southwest Airlines proves to be more efficient when it comes to boarding an airplane. The airline has implemented an innovative system that allows passengers to board in three different groups. This has enabled them to fill up planes faster and also allow passengers to find their seats more quickly.

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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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Southwest allows preboarding only for customers who 1) need a specific seat on the plane, or 2) need assistance boarding the plane. If you find that having a specific seat helps with your anxiety, that would be a way for you to preboard.

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Southwest Airlines has long argued that its unassigned seating policy is popular with passengers and facilitates speedier boarding. That means planes spend less time at the gate and more time in the air generating Southwest money. Over the years, the airline has tinkered with the no-system boarding system.

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