Southwest Airlines is planning for a record number of holiday travelers this year and as we look to extend our world class Hospitality, we’ve developed helpful tips for Customers as they begin prepping for their holiday travels.
We look forward to serving our Customers this holiday season and hope these holiday tips help ease the travel experience:
- Set a check-in reminder and use the app: Be sure to check in 24 hours in advance to get the best possible boarding position. And if you download the Southwest App, you can check in for your flight while you’re on the go.
- Airport arrival: Give yourself enough time at the airport. Arrive at least two hours prior to your flight to allow time to check your bags, receive your boarding passes, go through security, and grab some snacks before your flight departs. Flights typically begin boarding 30 minutes prior to their scheduled departure time. Learn more at Southwest.com.
- Family boarding: Traveling with kids ages six and younger? You can take part in Family Boarding, which is right after the “A” group boards and just before the “B” group begins boarding.
- Bags fly free: Bags fly free* on Southwest Airlines. Customers can check up to two bags for free, so don’t worry about what you’ll do with those holiday presents you need to take home. (Each checked bag can weigh 50 pounds or less and be 62 inches in size). Additionally, Southwest Airlines has recently implemented digital bag tracking for Customers, which means Customers can check their bags via Southwest.com, the Southwest app, or mobile web during the online check-in process and print baggage tags at the airport. Learn more at Southwest.com.
- Gifts: Wait before you wrap! TSA may want to check the packages that you are taking through security, so make sure you wait until you arrive at your destination before wrapping your gifts. Can’t wait? You can check them. On Southwest, bags fly free*, so go ahead and wrap your gifts and check them for your trip home for the holidays. (Each checked bag can weigh 50 pounds or less and be 62 inches in size). A Southwest Gift Card also makes a great gift and is easy to pack.
- Carry-on: Carry-on items are limited to one bag plus one smaller, personal-type item. Southwest Airlines limits carry-on bag dimensions to 10x16x24 inches.
- Must haves: Be sure to bring your own personal device and charge it prior to departure so you can enjoy the Southwest Entertainment Portal.
- Entertainment: Southwest Airlines offers free inflight entertainment, including movies, live TV, and On Demand TV series. The selection of family-friendly movies includes favorites like Despicable Me, Madagascar, Shrek, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and more. The Southwest Inflight Entertainment Portal also features On Demand TV series like Blippi Learns, Go Buster, Little Baby Bum, and My Magic Pet Morphle to offer fun for the whole family. Southwest offers $8 Internet (free for our A-List Preferred Members and Business Select Customers) per device from takeoff to landing.
- Snacks: Be sure you pack plenty of snacks for the kids. Southwest serves Remy’s Grahams during morning flights and snack mix on all flights but sometimes you need a little more to keep the kids busy.
- Paws: Your furry friend can fly home with you for the holidays, too. Small cats and dogs are allowed on Southwest Airlines; their carrier takes the place of your carry-on. For more information on the policy, please visit Southwest.com/pets.
Southwest wishes you a happy holiday season wherever your travels take you!
