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Flying with Babies and Kids on Southwest
Infants Under 2 Years Old on Southwest Airlines
Babies under 2 years of age may fly on a parent's lap free of charge on domestic flights, or paying only the taxes and fees on international flights. If you would like your baby to fly in their own individual seat, rather than on your lap, Southwest airlines requires you to purchase an individual ticket for your child.
Each adult can only have one child on their lap. If you are flying with more than one infant, you will need to buy a regular seat for each one. [AMZ asins='B00RXW8CVC,B000RRD7UG,B07MZFD26C,B00TSL2UJ6']
Even when flying on your lap free of charge, your baby must still be added to your reservation, and fly with a "Boarding Verification Document" (BVD), essentially a boarding pass for your baby without their own seat. You can your baby as a lap child to your reservation online or at the self-serve kiosk at the airport if flying on a domestic flight. You cannot add a baby to your reservation at the self-serve kiosk on international flights.
Only babies under 2 years of age may fly on a parent's lap - if your child is 2 years old or older, they will need to fly in their own individual assigned seat. You will be asked to provide proof of age when checking-in with your baby, this being either a birth certificate, passport, or other form of government-issued ID. Originals or photocopies are accepted, but screenshots or photos are not valid, nor are immunization records accepted. If you cannot provide proof of age, Southwest Airlines will require you purchase an individual seat for your baby in order to fly. You may ask to be reimbursed for this purchased seat if you can provide proof-of-age via email after the flight.
Buying a Ticket for a Baby on Southwest Airlines
The safest way for a baby to fly is in an car seat certified for aircraft use, in their own individual assigned seat. The only way to guarantee that your baby fly in their own assigned seat is to purchase an individual ticket for your baby. If you are flying with your baby for free, they will not have their own assigned seat, and will be on your lap for the duration of the flight.
Flying with Children 2-14 years old on Southwest Airlines
All children older than 2 years of age must fly in their own assigned seat on Southwest Airlines, as mandated by the FAA. You will need to purchase a seat for them at the regular adult fare. Southwest Airlines no longer offers discounts on airfare for infants, children, nor seniors.
The safest way for a child to fly is in their own seat with a Child Restraining System (such as an approved Car Seat) - both the FAA and Southwest Airlines recommend that children under 40 lbs travel in an approved car seat. Only car seats that approved and labeled for use in aircraft are allowed. Your car seat must meet the following label requirements, including both the following labels:
1. This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.
2. This child restraint device conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
If your car seat does not have both labels affixed, your child will not be allowed to fly in their car seat.
Children may also fly in a harness-type device. Currently the only harness-type restraining device is the CARES CRS, which must be labeled with "FAA APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14 CFR PART 21.305 (D) APPROVED FOR AIRCRAFT USE ONLY."
Minimum Age for an Infant to Fly on Southwest Airlines
Babies must be at least 14 days old to fly on Southwest Airlines. You will be asked to provide proof-of-age when checking-in, whether it be a birth certificate, passport, or other form of government-issued ID.
Breastfeeding on Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines allows nursing mothers to breastfeed on their planes. You may also bring an additional carry-on bag containing a breastpump, milk, and other baby essentials in addition to your standard carry-on luggage allowance. You may be asked about the contents of this additional bag when boarding the plane.
Changing Diapers on Southwest Airlines
All of the forward lavatories on Southwest Airlines are equipped with baby changing stations.
Family Seating on Southwest Airlines
As Southwest Airlines does not assign seats, it is a first-come first-served system when boarding the plane. As such, it may be difficult to get seats together if boarding later in the process. Southwest Airlines offers Family Boarding for families traveling with children under 6 years of age, allowing them to board between Group A and Group B. Southwest's Family Boarding allows 2 adults flying with a child under 6 years of age to board immediately after Group A, which should provide plenty of opportunity to be seated together as a family.
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