Southwest Airlines Community

Regarding take-off and taxi, when the forward door is closed, the phone should be in airplane mode.  However, if you have purchased the wifi option, you can text with your cell phone at any time, even before the 10,000 foot announcement.    Regarding the landing, I understood that once wheels are on the tarmac, you can switch out of airplane mode and text if you did not use the wifi option, but you might want to ask a Southwest flight attendant during the flight just to be confirm. ... View more

From what I understand, the issues may be related to either the old booking system, or the conversion to the new one. One hopes that they dissapear once the new "next egneration reservation system" is fully integrated. ... View more

  So--my license is still good to use! ... View more

Hi @OldManinanS2K, I've reached out to Southwest Vacations for clarification on this - I'll report back when I've got an answer for you! ... View more

Thanks for the contact info, Lindsay! ... View more

Hi @callmarie,   This is actually a question for the TSA. They have a great tool you can use here to search for whether or not your item is allowed in a carryon bag.    ... View more

Unfortunately, if using a voucher for a 2-passenger itinerary, Southwest's software will apply the funds first to one passenger and then, whatever is left, to the other passenger, instead of splitting it 50/50. So, if you later cancel, the ticketles travel funds will now be distributed (and locked by name) in that same way. 😞     ... View more

The first time you travel with these extra items consider purchasing a Southwest blue bag for them which will help protect from scuffs, etc.   It'll also help you in the future as everyone will know that baby items are in the blue bags.   We usually gate check the stroller for use in the airport, but curbside check the pack and play. Still use a blue bag though. ... View more

Hi @dbesears,   Those are all great questions. Thank you for posting them here in the Community.    I think you'll find that Southwest Airlines is a very family-friendly airline. We know how important it is for families to sit together, so we do have a few different ways of approaching the situation. One is Family Boarding, as you mentioned. This comes early enough in the boarding process that there is still a very good chance you will all be able to find seats near each other.    Another way we help families with seating is by soliciting volunteers to give up a seat so that parents and young children can sit together. All you have to do is let our Ops Agent and Flight Attendants know what you need, and they'll make an announcement.    We are especially attentive to the needs of our youngest Customers, and we take great pride in making sure everyone has a Safe and enjoyable travel experience. I hope you'll give us a chance, and please feel free to let us know if there's any other information we can provide to make your trip more pleasant!   ... View more

Hi @bobbikoch, No, there is not a way to set up an email alert. Just keep an eye on our Flight Schedules page - it's easy to find. Click on "Flight" in the top right corner of Southwest.com, and then click "Flight Schedules." ... View more

Hi @tomcat101, No, you will not have to purchase WiFi again for your second flight. If you purchase it, you will have it available all day. Note: you do have to purchase it individually per device.   ... View more

Only federally approved child restraint devices are permitted for use aboard Carrier’s aircraft. Federal regulations prohibit the use of child booster seats and harness-or vest-type restraining devices, unless such devices have been specifically approved by the Federal Aviation Administration under a Type Certificate (TC), Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), or Technical Standard Order (TSO). Customers are responsible for providing Carrier copies of TC, STC, or TSO documentation for review at the departure gate. Child restraint devices will be considered as items of carryon Baggage counting toward the adult Passenger’s carryon allowance, unless the child has been ticketed and a seat reserved for use of the CRD" ... View more

Hi @mpometto,      Glad to know we'll be welcoming you and your little ones onboard! Per our Contract of Carriage, one stroller and one Child Restraint Device (car seat) per fare-paying Passenger will be accepted subject to a limited release of liability, as outlined in Section 7h. Southwest Airlines will accept the items without charge and will not count toward a Passenger’s free Checked Baggage allowance. A traveling crib, if it is in excess of the two bag limit per paying Customer, will count as an additional bag. Make sense? Hope that's helpful!     ... View more

Hi @smoehler, The next schedule release will be on May 18, and we'll open up booking through January 7, 2018.  ... View more

Just a reminder.... You can use points in your account to purchase tickets for anyone.  You do not have to transfer the points to that person at a cost.     Good Luck!  ... View more

Hi @nvaslav48,    We don't like letting you down, and it sounds like this situation should have been handled differently. I will send you a private message to get some additional details about your experience.    ... View more

Hi @cbeck44,   There should be a place to link your spouse's Rapid Rewards Account when you are designating him/her as your Companion. If you don't see it, contact us (Twitter: @SouthwestAir / Phone: 1-855-234-4654) and we'll make sure everything is set up correctly. See you and your Companion onboard soon!   ... View more

If this or any other problem happens, ask to speak with the Complaint Resolution Officer.  Every airline is required to have one available either in person or by phone.   ... View more

Hi @go4packers2,   Use our flight schedule tool here. You can view our service between two cities on a daily or a weekly basis. Happy traveling!   ... View more

Hi @JasonW,   I'm sorry you've had a frustrating experience trying to book through Southwest Vacations. I tried the GOMEX promotion code myself on this page and was able to get it to work.    For assistance from representatives who work specifically with Southwest Vacations, you can reach out through one of the channels listed on this page.    I hope these options help - your business is important to us, and we'd love nothing more than to take you on a tropical vacation.    ... View more

Hi @cbuck73088,   Yes, you can cover your carseat with a bag if you'd like! Thanks for posting in the Southwest Community - we'll see you onboard soon!   ... View more

Hi @bmakela,    EarlyBird is not a refundable product. It is a purchase separate from the air fare and does not have the same 24-hour refundable policy.    ... View more

Family Boarding doesn't happen before A, it happens after the A group, before the B group.   Here's the full boarding order:   Preboards BS and Upgraded Boarding: A1-15 A-Listers, EBCI, the lucky, and 24 hour check in (possibly): A16-60 A-Listers who didn't get an A pass, Family Boarding: After A, before B More EBCI (possibly) and 24 hour check in: B1-60 Everyone else: C1-60ish, give or take   Someone with a B60 position will be -- depending on the number of preboards and, often more importantly, the number of people using Family Boarding -- anywhere between approximately the 110th to 140th person to board. 737-300s & 700s hold 143 passengers, the 800s hold 175.   The number of thru passengers will also directly affect your seat choices. ... View more

BNA is a pretty happy layover spot in my experience. 40 minutes is tight anywhere and probably at the limit of what Southwest will book you for.  If both flights are on schedule you are bascially 100% to make the flight, but you may be cutting it close on a particular boarding position if the outbound flight boards right at T-minus 30 minutes.    With all of the Southwest gates on one concourse I think a brisk walk will get you between the furthest two gates in ten minutes. There is a "pod" at the end of the concourse with a cluster of gates so you will be just as likely to only walk across the corridor to reach your gate. I've had this several times coming from PNS to MDW.   If you have more time at BNA there are many places to eat, starbucks, and live music throughout the concourse. Tennessee BBQ. Sushi. More live music. It's certainly not a place I would hesitate to have an hour+ layover.   David   ... View more

Hi caala001-   You can gate check them both, car seat and strollers. If you'd rather bring your car seat onboard with you, that's allowed too. If you aren't purchasing a seat for your child, you can ask the Customer Service Agent at the gate if there are going to be empty seats. If so, you can bring it on without charge.   Otherwise you can gate check them both. You can gate check a stroller of any kind (yes, even those foldable wagons). Just make sure everything is tagged with your destination tag. Then just leave it in the jet bridge as you board the plane.    I believe as two paying passengers, you and your husband can each check a stroller.    I always say this, but in the case of potentially using a car seat aboard, you want to make sure to use Family Boarding (between A Boarding and B Boarding). You would need the extra time to get your seat installed.    Hope this helps! Happy travels!   P.S. Here's the info about gate checking - https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/carryon-bags-pol.html   About halfway down the page.      ... View more