How do you get family boarding?

[sgobert]

How do you get family boarding?

[sarahsmith · Accepted solution]

Hi @sgobert

As long as your child is 6 and under, you are allowed to board after the A Group. (If you have an A Group boarding pass, you're welcome to board then.)

To use this option, just stand near where the Ops Agent (ticket taker) is calling people to line up and board. Stand away from the line and out of the way. The Ops Agent will call for families with kids 6 and under to board after all the A Group folks have gone in. Then you just go on up and hand in your boarding pass. 

Best of luck!

[sgobert]

Thanks! I am travelling with my mother, husband, and 2 kids ages 1 and 5. First time to fly with kids! 🙂

[sarahsmith]

@sgobert Awesome! You guys will have a great time! I suggest bringing stuff to keep your kids occupied. (A good trick is to pick up a few things from the dollar store that will be new to play with on the plane. Maybe a new coloring book too.) There is free TV (Disney Channel included) you can connect to with your own device, always a favorite with my 4 year old. 

We bring some snacks along, especially for longer flights. I pack a little backpack for my 4 year old ( and soon for my 1 year old as well) that he is in charge of. Has his snacks, coloring items and a few little toys. 

Kids also love to see all the different things there are to see (loading bags, other planes, lots of people, etc.) at the airport. 

If you have other questions, let us know! We're all happy to help!

[sgobert]

Great suggestions! Thanks again so much!

[Ferrell]

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@sarahsmithwrote:

Hi @sgobert

As long as your child is 6 and under, you are allowed to board after the A Group. (If you have an A Group boarding pass, you're welcome to board then.)

To use this option, just stand near where the Ops Agent (ticket taker) is calling people to line up and board. Stand away from the line and out of the way. The Ops Agent will call for families with kids 6 and under to board after all the A Group folks have gone in. Then you just go on up and hand in your boarding pass. 

Best of luck!

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If I have my mother my 8 yo, 3 yo and my wife can we all board during family boarding? 

[sarahsmith]

Hey there, 

i believe it differs by station, unfortunately. However, I think most Ops agents will allow you. If they don’t, you can definitely board with the younger child and save seats for the other two. 

Best of luck to you!

[Ft12]

I look at the ticket and see what the seat number and see if there room on the over head to put bags up and under the seat in front of me and make sure they know how to used the call bottom and seatbelt right

[CareforNOLA]

HI @Ft12,

Southwest has open seating so the number on your boarding pass is your position in line to board, not your seat number.  Once aboard, choose any available seat you like.  Southwest is unique about this open style boarding.

[DancingDavidE]

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@CareforNOLAwrote:

HI @Ft12,

Southwest has open seating so the number on your boarding pass is your position in line to board, not your seat number.  Once aboard, choose any available seat you like.  Southwest is unique about this open style boarding.

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I think she/he meant as an in-flight game to read the numbers, etc. - but true, it won't be on your boarding pass, you'll have to look overhead at the aisle and see the row number and seat letters.