Loading Page...

Does my 2 year old need a seat on Southwest?

Children up to 2 years old (24 months), are not required to have their own seat. You must, however, inform Southwest Airlines that you will be traveling with an infant on your lap. Only one lap child is allowed per adult.



People Also Ask

Who qualifies as a Lap Child? One child over 14 days and under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may be carried as a Lap Child when traveling with an adult (12 years of age or older).

MORE DETAILS

Yes – once kids turn 2, they no longer qualify as a lap infant. They'll need their own ticket and their own seat to fly. However, some airlines may have slightly different rules or promotions, so it's worth doing a little research.

MORE DETAILS

If you're traveling with a 2-year-old, they do need their own seat on the plane. Once you're on board, you can certainly hold your toddler on your lap if needed.

MORE DETAILS

To prove your child's age to an airline, one of the following documents will suffice: Child's passport (how to get a U.S. passport for an infant and things to know about children's passports) Child's birth certificate. Child's immunization form or other medical records may also work domestically.

MORE DETAILS

A birth certificate or another form of identification with a birthdate is required to provide proof that they are under 2 years old. If you need to add a lap child after you have made a booking, you can reach reservations at 702-505-8888.

MORE DETAILS

If I am traveling with a child, can we sit together on the aircraft? If you are traveling with a child age six years old or younger: 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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

SouthWest: SouthWest includes diaper bags as part of your carry on allowance. As a carry on, it should be no larger than 24” (L) + 16” (W) + 10” (H). If you are using your diaper bag as a personal item, it should be able to fit under the seat, 16.25” (L) + 13.5” (W) + 8” (H).

MORE DETAILS

Q: What is the Southwest Family boarding age limit? A: In order to take advantage of Southwest family boarding, you'll need to be traveling with a child who is 6 years old or younger.

MORE DETAILS

Infants or children under 2 years of age can travel on the lap of an adult for free (within the United States) or at a reduced fare (for international travel).

MORE DETAILS

Children 2 or older are required to have their own seat, a ticketed adult fare. Children under 5 can't travel alone under any circumstances.

MORE DETAILS

Parents/guardians should remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in their arms through the walk-through metal detector. Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier through the walk-through metal detector. Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.

MORE DETAILS

You can choose to keep your baby or toddler in your lap if she's under 2. But children 2 and older have to sit in their own seats. In that case, both the FAA and AAP strongly recommend using a car seat or approved harness (booster seats aren't allowed).

MORE DETAILS

If a child turns 2 years during the trip, they need to have a child ticket instead of infant ticket, due to the seating on the return flight.

MORE DETAILS

A parent who purchases airline tickets for a family should receive a guarantee from the airline that it will seat the parent and child together without fees or a last-minute scramble at the gate or having to ask other passengers to give up their seat to allow the parent and child to sit together.

MORE DETAILS

Related: Why you should travel while your baby is an infant If you have a trip that spans your child's second birthday, only the outbound flight will be free. On the return flight, you will be required to purchase your now-2-year-old a seat with a one-way ticket.

MORE DETAILS

Each airline will have its rules about who can sit where, but a bulkhead seat is generally considered an excellent option for families traveling with young children. The bulkhead is at the front of the cabin and sitting in those seats usually guarantees you some extra leg room.

MORE DETAILS