Southwest Airlines Community

Quick little revival, conclusion and final hail mary of a proposal First - last flight I was on with SWA I was able to get certain wireguard-based connections to work- BARELY, just unusable unless the flight is empty. IPTV boggs down the GEO-SAT based internet SWA switched to slowly around 2016. Given how much BETTER other airlines wifi is (i.e. using ground station 5G based comms instead of GEO (I believe SWA is now all GEO-based comms specifically provided by Viasat).   Before all this mess started happening, SWA was using a similar system that providers like American Airlines uses (4/5G direct to ground receivers eliminating the huge GEO (geostationary earth orbit satellite) latency. Before SWA offered free TV, speeds were great (given the era and the medium), it would die over bodies of water and as much direct testing I could and experienced when SWA started flying to Puerto Vallarta - a route taken by AA usually only, I was able to compare and contrast for a while, AA would cut out just as SWA would as we got into Mexico from DFW if AA and sadly only via connecting flight if SWA (boy I would love if LUV got an international terminal, I will do everything in my power to avoid layovers, which is why I say limited testing).    Then, SWA switch from Business to ‘free TV’ which is when this all started happening. Basically, I figure what happened is ViaSAT sold SWA on a contract of some sort and it wrecked business users so they could advertise free live junk TV without needing DISH.     SWA started having connectivity over Mexico but still very poor AA still doesn’t, but it’s gotten a lot better as 4/5G get’s deployed in Mexico (heck, I get 5G in Puerto vallarta with speeds around 200Mbps / 10Mbps up which is huge compared to just 4 years ago - note ON LAND via mobile not via the airplane’s wifi). To this day I will happily pay AA wifi because I can actually use VPN with RDP reliably. As long as we’re flying over land in the US. Mexico has gotten better so much so that I will buy it now when going down to PVR. (I still hate DFW though, not as bad as connecting in Houston, though).   AA doesn’t have free TV (from what I can recall). I may be mistaken, I think I recall seeing Dish being a provider for a bit. Separate systems.  So SWA being the cost-cutters they are, were likely sold a great deal with ViaCrap who I assume basically told SWA they could provide both wifi and ‘dish-style’ TV without the extra cost and hardware/maintenance of managing 2 systems. What they DIDN’T say was that it would completely bog down the bandwidth because IPTV isn’t the same thing as Dish. SWA may or may not have known the ramifications of this ‘cost saving’ measure, I will assume someone knew but they thought who cares about wifi when you have MOVIES AND TV FOR FREE (marketing department).  I hope ViaCrap contract ends with SWA soon, I’ve honestly been travelling less on SWA just because they used to be tech-focused (was one of the first airlines to provide decent wifi from what I recall as most orginally started with SAT and very expensive at that. But internet connectivity on a 2-5 hour flight is critical. If I want to watch a movie, I will preload it from Plex.  People are going to get sick of the 7 channels on SWA and the sub-dial-up speeds. And as a manner to ‘keep kids quiet’, In my opinion, I think kids these days would prefer the internet over archaic-style cable tv.  Which brings me to my final proposal: SWA, you would change the game for business, wait, everyone, flying SWA if you signed on with Starlink. My team has been installing Starlink for multi-home/business backhauls in very rural areas in Texas in which they previously paid $300+ a month for ViaCrap at each location - now through some nifty WISP-ing 1 business class dish backhaul supplies 10x the speeds, 1/20th the latency and shared saving thousands of dollars. Results were far far far better service from the prior mix of ViaSat and HughesNet. StarLink is a game-changer and I believe the airlines that sign on first will benefit best. I dare you, SWA - DO IT!  https://www.starlink.com/business/aviation     ... View more

it's hard ... View more

It is not really "family boarding".  The process is like this:   When an individual under the age of seven (six and under) is on the flight, you can have UP TO TWO ADULTS board with that individual.   So, for family boarding to activate, you must have an individual under the age of seven.   Since you have two under the age of seven, up to two adults can board per individual under the age of seven. ... View more

I know this is something that has been long requested, and that Southwest has said they would look into. Unfortunately, the wheels of IT change spin very slowly at Southwest.  ... View more

See elijah's esponse to the question you asked.   https://www.southwestaircommunity.com/t5/Family-Travel/Checked-Car-Seat/m-p/93647#M1701   But to answer your question, boxes are acceptable "luggage."   You'd pay exra if the box is more than 62 inches (height+length+width) or it it weighs more than 50 pounds ... View more

@Emi wrote: Hi. Is my firts trip with my daughter I want to know if it is safe to leave the car seat in the counter with the bags or it is better to leave it at the door of the plane. I'm wearing the stroller, the car seat, backpack and one suitecase       I need recomendations    Thank You   I have checked car seats many times and been fine, although it isn't a guarantee - definitely consider at least using a bag or cover to prevent scuffs and cosmetic damage. Southwest sells bags at the baggage service and ticket counters for $17 if you don't have your own. It can't hurt having the Southwest blue bag and logo on there as well, everyone will know whats in there!   "Safest" option is to gate check - then you know 100% that it makes it on the plane with you, and if you don't see it come back up you will be waiting for it right outside the aircraft door until someone locates it.   But if the other option is 99.9% is it worth carrying the car seat through the airport? Most people say "no" and check it, especially if you'll be taking a lot with you already that will be a challenge to maneuver through the airport.   When baby was little we had the click and ride stroller that the car seat snapped into - in that case we put both stroller and car seat into the blue bag.         ... View more

@jadalb26,   Yes! See answer from @DancingDavidE above...   ... View more

Safety is an important point when traveling outside the home. If you have kids with you, you must care for his safety. The baby stroller and baby car seats should have to be taken with you. A few months ago, I took the safest baby car seat during my traveling period with my 3-year-old baby.    Have a good journey, Thank you. ... View more

@Seabergh, please post links and show us where you found the conflicting information - we definitely need to get that corrected.    ... View more

Here is the information you need https://bit.ly/1KvSSUq   Here is more information https://swa.is/1lrjCw6   https://bit.ly/2n8qxjh ... View more

Birth certificate or passport for domestic and passport for international  ... View more

No ... View more

Hey! If you pack your stroller in the suitcase it will count toward your luggage, I think.    You should plan to be at be at the gate in time for family boarding which occurs just after A boarding (unless you get A boarding passes). You’ll have plenty of time to break down and stow anything you bring this way. As well as get seats nearby one another.    Im not sure if you are taking your car seats to the plane or checking them, but I find it much easier to take the stroller with me to the gate and gate check it.    It gets hand carried to the plane from the jet bridge and then brought back up on the other side. I’d guess it has less chance of damage this way.   If you do  want to check it, you’re allowed to pack it in a suitcase if you’d like. If your children are ticketed, they also get two bags, as well.      ... View more

This was a helpful post, but have one more question to add... if I carry on the car seat and there is no seat available, do I then walk it back to the door to check it under the plane? ... View more

Hey there! You can check it, it doesn't count toward your bags and it's your decision on how it travels. If you'd like to bag it, SWA usually has special reusable bags available for $15 when you are checking bags. Happy traveling! ... View more

Hi @Violetpup - as long as your seats are FAA compliant, they will be fine. I've travelled with two seats before. Like you said, window and middle only. Your seats will show they're FAA approved with a sticker somewhere on the side or back.    Happy travels! ... View more

I ran into one airport in CA that didn't have "any more" of them that day. Come prepared or your seats may get so filthy they need replaced. They are for sale at box stores or online. SWA used to supply large clear trash bags for the situation that worked fine, but they are no longer giving them out, but you could buy your own to save the $15. Bring a bag or gate check it.  ... View more

I'm going to second the carrier suggestion. A one-hour layover is quite short.  It'll take 5-10 minutes to get off the plane, another 5-15 for bathroom breaks and the walk to your next gate, and boarding begins 30 minutes before your outgoing flight.  Therefore you really won't have much time anyway. ... View more

You can also add them by calling the reservations line (or A-list number if applicable) after booking if you like to have it done before arrival at the airport. Tell them over the phone the name and birthday.   You'd still need to bring the birth certificate for verification.   The main point is that you can't do this online in advance, you have to either call ahead, or do it when you arrive at the airport. ... View more

Hi @kelseyhedges,   Welcome to the Community - thanks for posting! To answer your questions, two car seats may be placed in the same row as long as the car seats fit and one is not placed in an aisle seat. It sounds like you've already made plans to avoid that, so you should be in great shape!   ... View more

FYI: Infant Fares are a discount off of the refundable Anytime fare, and as such are usually much more expensive than the online Wanna Get Away fare. ... 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

Thank you for clarifying.  ; -) ... 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

Thank you so much @sarahsmith!! 🙂 ... View more

Make sure the kids get a chance to look out the window during take-off!  I love seeing the fascinated faces of children during take-off!!!  Thank you for choosing Southwest! ... View more

Technically, no. The Family Boarding policy only includes children up to age 6. But this is very dependent upon the ops agent. I suspect you won't have a problem, but you could run into an agent who makes you all wait until your assigned positions (assuming there's not another adult traveling who can wait separately with the 8 year old). Good luck!   Do families get to preboard? An adult 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. If the child and the adult are both holding an “A” boarding pass, they should board in their assigned boarding position. ... View more