What to Take on Plane for Baby Southwest Airlines
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Table of Contents [Hide] [Evidence]
- The Consummate Guide for Families Flying Southwest Airlines
- Southwest Isn't Simply in the Southwest
- Depression Fares and No Change Fees
-
Southwest Cancellations and Delays+ −
- Southwest Operations
- Contract of Carriage for Southwest Airlines
- No Form...No First Form, That Is
- Southwest Fare Categories Broken Downward
- No Assigned Seating - What's Upwards With That?
- Southwest is a Kid-Friendly Airline
- So…how do I get on the plane outset?
- Southwest's EarlyBird Check-In
- Saving Seats - Is that OK?
- No Checked Baggage Fees
- In Flight Services
-
Southwest Rapid Rewards Program+ −
- Larn More Near The Rapid Rewards Program
- Southwest and Disney Partner to Gloat Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary
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So…what practise I Non similar about Flying Southwest Airlines?+ −
- Limited food service
- Booking actually far in advance isn't possible
- Direct flights aren't ever nonstop flights
Most (if non all) U.S. air carriers are taking every opportunity they tin can to charge passengers for extras: numberless, food, the power to choose your seat. Southwest Airlines is refreshingly unlike. Between the no modify or baggage fees, open seating, and family boarding, they're more than but a way to get cheap flights…they're a really peachy airline. Go fix to take notes, because nosotros're breaking downwardly the differences with a complete guide of everything you demand to know about flight Southwest Airlines.
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The Consummate Guide for Families Flying Southwest Airlines
Beginning things start: I LOVE Southwest Airlines. The only time I don't fly Southwest is when I have to go somewhere they don't fly. Fortunately, they wing to a lot of places, so I don't have to "cheat" on them very often. There are a lot of other airlines I like and appreciate. Ilove flying Southwest Airlines. You'll have to decide for yourself if you dearest them as much as I do.
I'm breaking down admittedly everything I've learned and what you could want to know most Southwest Airlines in this guide. There are a few things that brand them dissimilar than other domestic U.S. carriers, so read on for the full scoop.
Southwest Isn't Simply in the Southwest
What started off as a regional airline has expanded in a big way over the years. Southwest flies all over the Southwest (as you'd expect). They also wing upward and downward the east coast, Midwest and southeast United States. Southwest doesn't wing to Montana, Wyoming, Northward Dakota and South Dakota. It has more limited service in the Pacific Northwest and some of the Northern states. All in all, there aren't a ton of places you can't get to on Southwest Airlines within the continental U.Southward.
Internationally, Southwest flies to multiple places in Mexico and the Caribbean, and they've recently added Hawaii equally a stop.
You cannot buy tickets on Expedia, Travelocity, or whatsoever third-party travel site. You tin only purchase seats on a Southwest Airlines flying through their website or app.
Low Fares and No Alter Fees
Southwest Airlines is a low fare airline only not a upkeep, blank bones carrier like Spirit or Frontier. When we travel equally a family, nosotros always consider how much time we have and whether it's cheaper to wing or drive. The larger your family, the more than expensive information technology is to fly together. Southwest fares are some of the everyman out at that place (although non ever…do a price comparing before you book).
One of my favorite things about Southwest (aside from the fact that they're a depression-cost airline) is that they don't charge a change fee. If your plans alter and you have to change your flight, no biggie. They accuse only the departure. Delta recently charged me well-nigh $200 per ticket to change a flying in addition to the difference in fare. That was a whole lot of ouch.
Patently, it's best to be very sure of your plans before you drop money on airline tickets, but things happen. I love the flexibility (and kindness to my purse) that Southwest offers. Southwest has three different fare categories (more than on that in a minute) and two of them are fully refundable. Even their budget category allows changes without charging you a fee.
In addition to no change fees, Southwest will also give you credit if the price of your booked flight drops. All the same, you take to monitor fare drops on your own and make them aware of the alter. Even though I'm enlightened of this perk, I've all the same to take advantage of it. I'k very "fire and forget" with travel, and I unremarkably move on to thinking about/worrying near something else. But, if you're actress thrifty, bank check the price of your flights a couple of times betwixt booking and travel to see if there have been changes. If you lot see the fare has dropped, yous'll take to contact Southwest and ask how to claim your credit. They will not contact you.
Southwest Cancellations and Delays
We cover a full range of delay questions on this post simply it is important to know that Southwest operates differently than some other airlines in the example of cancellations and delays.
Southwest Operations
Southwest operates point to betoken and not as a hub and spoke airline. This ways that instead of flights originating and starting from hubs (like Delta's Atlanta and American's Dallas) flights connect different destination points. This means that when something goes wrong, it trickles.
Contract of Railroad vehicle for Southwest Airlines
Every airline has a contract of carriage that explains what volition happen if a flight is delayed or cancelled. Many upkeep carriers only offer to rebook or refund you. Some airlines have alliances and offering interline tickets where they conduct other lines passengers. These airlines may rebook y'all on a different airline if there is a cancellation. Southwest does non do this.
What both of these items mean is that when something goes wrong on Southwest it tin go incorrect for a few days. While information technology doesn't happen often, it does happen. Knowing what you lot're like-minded to when buying a ticket helps to prepare for these situations. Nosotros recommend leaving buffer days in your plans. If you demand to exist at work at 7am on the second, don't book a 7pm flying back on the 1st. This is a practiced practice for any airline.
No Grade…No First Course, That Is
In that location is no get-go class or business class on Southwest Airlines flights. All seats are the same from the front to the rear of the cabin. There is no curtain dividing first/business concern class passengers from the peasants in economy. No first class bathrooms, first course lounge. There'southward no special beverage or meal service. Everyone gets the aforementioned amount of legroom. Y'all go the idea.
If you're used to that lilliputian bit of extra luxury on flights, you won't take that on Southwest. I exercise love the extra roomy seats in business organization class, specially on overseas flights. The pre-takeoff drink in a real glass is always kind of fun. Merely unless you're a die-hard luxury traveler who would be deeply disappointed without the first course feel, the lack of a premium cabin on Southwest Airlines is a not-issue.
Southwest does, however, offer Business Select. This isn't a separate cabin simply is a separate (more than expensive) ticket category. Business organisation select is fully refundable. Information technology gets you guaranteed early boarding, and a complimentary premium drink. Yous also get more Rapid Rewards miles when you purchase a Business Select ticket. Business concern Select ticket holders are in the same cabin as everyone else. Aside from early on boarding and not paying for your in-flight booze, there'south no divergence in seating or service. Prices vary widely based on flight.
Southwest Fare Categories Broken Down
Southwest has three fare categories – Business Select (as detailed higher up), Anytime, and Wanna Get Away. When y'all search for flights on their Southwest.com you'll meet the three divergence rates.
The difference between Someday and Business Select is unremarkably negligible. The Wanna Get Away tickets are by far the cheapest. However, you're non likely to get this lower fare when you're booking at the last minute.
For example, booking a nonstop flying from San Antonio to Phoenix a month out, Wanna Become Away fare is $142 and Concern Select is $526. Huge difference, right? Anytime fare is $504 and so yous can see what I mean by negligible difference betwixt Business Select and Someday. Obviously the $142 is the price I want to pay.
If I look at that aforementioned flight 1 week out, Wanna Get Away is unavailable. The other two fares remain the same. The Business Select at $526 is the best bargain since you get an upgraded boarding position and a gratis premium drinkable, plus more Rapid Rewards points.
The moral of the story is to buy your tickets as early as yous tin can when traveling on Southwest. I know last minute travel opportunities tin arise. Sometimes, waiting until the last infinitesimal can get you lot some deals. That dominion of pollex normally doesn't apply to flying Southwest. If you are flexible with your dates or are in the very early stages of trip planning, you can check out the Southwest Depression Fare Calendar. This lets you meet the cheapest days in the calendar month are to fly.
No Assigned Seating – What'southward Upwards With That?
Most major carriers charge a premium cost if yous want to option your seat. Your bones, bare basic price will go you an assigned seat at the gate, which usually means the center seat that wasn't picked by those paying premium prices. This doesn't piece of work for families traveling with kids, particularly when the kids aren't one-time enough to sit separately from their family members. If you're flying Delta or American, you're practically forced to buy a more expensive ticket so you can select your seats and sit as a family. My kids are nine and they could probably survive a flying with me in some other role of the cabin, but it definitely isn't ideal for me orwhatsoever developed that isn't me who gets stuck next to them.
When yous are flying Southwest Airlines, y'all won't accept assigned seating. Passengers board in boarding groups (A, B, and C) and each passenger within the boarding grouping is assigned a number. If yous're number 1 in boarding grouping A, you're the offset one on the plane and you get your pick of seating. If you're number 35 in boarding group B, you'll have less options, and, if you're traveling equally a family, finding seats together (and getting the coveted overhead bin space for your larger carry-on) is trickier.
Southwest is a Kid-Friendly Airline
Flying with babies and young children is stressful. Families with kids six and nether are immune to lath between the A and B groups. You shouldn't have trouble getting seats together, although they may exist towards the rear of the motel. Unless nosotros're making a tight connection and need to dart off the airplane, nosotros don't listen sitting toward the rear of the cabin. Like most families who travel together, where nosotros sit down isn't equally important as sitting together. Be aware that two adults can board with each child six and nether. If the adult and the kid BOTH have an A boarding laissez passer they can board with the A group.
If you're flight Southwest Airlines with kids under ii, you need to have the child'due south nativity certificate with you lot. If you're traveling with an infant under 14 days, you lot must have a medical release. Kids under two are complimentary if they don't occupy a seat. More than about Southwest Airlines' infant policy here.
So…how do I go on the plane kickoff?
If yous don't have younger kids and want to exist amidst the start to board (AKA get your first choice of seating and be bodacious to keep your family or grouping together) you lot have options. The first is to do online check in at exactly the 24-hour mark. This ways you accept to exist on your estimator with your finger poised over the check-in option at exactly 24-hours earlier your flight departs. Not 23 hours and 45 minutes. It has to be 24-hours on. the. dot. I'one thousand non kidding. You snooze yous lose. And by lose, I hateful y'all're in high B or C boarding groups.
We usually take early morn flights, and so setting the alarm and logging in to your Southwest business relationship at exactly 24-hours isn't the most fun way to start the twenty-four hours. But we've unremarkably managed to get in the A grouping – typically towards the end of the A group – past checking in online at the 24-hour marker. Notwithstanding, I have checked in at exactly the 24 hr mark and gotten low B group. People don't mess effectually with their Southwest Airlines bank check in.
Southwest'due south EarlyBird Check-In
Some other pick is to pay to play. When you are flying Southwest Airlines, yous can purchase early bird cheque in when y'all purchase your ticket. The Southwest Airlines website will ask y'all if y'all desire it earlier you bank check out. Yous tin also add information technology to a previously purchased ticket. EarlyBird Check-In will automatically cheque you in 36 hours before your flight (12 hours before everyone else can check in).
Early bird check in volition run you betwixt $xv and $25* per rider per flight, depending on route and availability. I recently purchased a flight from San Antonio to Los Angeles (not end) and the early bird check in was $25 each way. That added $l to the price of my trip. but it saves me remembering to bank check in at the 24-hr mark. I still need to call back to impress my boarding laissez passer or have it sent to my phone – but it gets me in the A boarding group and on the plane first. Be aware that A group is non guaranteed with EarlyBird Check-In, but information technology'due south more likely. Your mileage may vary.
If you don't buy early bird check in, you'll usually be offered an opportunity to upgrade your boarding position at the gate…for a price. The fee for this varies, but it is always more expensive than buying the early bird check in. I did this once and it jumped me into to the first 15 to get on the plane. A solo traveler, I had not bought early bird check in and I'd forgotten to check in until it was almost time to go to the airport. I was at the end of the C boarding group on a full flight to Las Vegas – AKA middle seat somewhere in the rear. In this circumstance, it fabricated sense for me and I don't regret it,but if you desire to assure yourself of a neat boarding position, the other options I mentioned are meliorate.
Nosotros are big fans of early bird check in, specially when we're traveling with our kids. While it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to carve up for a 3-hour flight, information technology's non ideal for united states and part of the fun of traveling as a family for united states of america is being together and experiencing all of that travel together. If you are traveling with teens or think it's no big deal to sit next to someone besides your spouse or partner on the airplane, it might not exist worth the spend for you.
*Southwest Airlines' website lists this price range. However, in contempo experience (booking about eight Southwest flights over the past 12 months) I take never seen EarlyBird cheque-in offered for less than $25. I wing out of San Antonio and have taken flights to Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Phoenix, so the cities I'thou traveling to and from (plain popular destinations) may have something to do with paying the higher stop of their pricing.
Saving Seats – Is that OK?
At that place is no official policy on saving seats on a Southwest flight. Are yous in a lower boarding position than whomever yous're traveling with? You have the option to board together at the college boarding position. The gate amanuensis won't let someone who is in boarding group B lath with someone who is in boarding group A.
I take seen a lot of saving seats on Southwest flights. For whatever reason, people traveling together aren't in the aforementioned boarding group. The person with the best boarding position saves the seats. I remember this practise lacks bones courtesy. This is essentially taking something for gratuitous that other passengers are paying for. That said, Southwest's policy is not to intervene.
I take seen large family unit groups who are in after boarding position inquire the flight attendants to assist move passengers around then parents tin sit down with their kids. This receives mixed reactions from passengers who are asked to move seats to accommodate families. My guess is that these families are unfamiliar with Southwest's seating/boarding policies and didn't realize the consequences of boarding in a later boarding group with a family…so don't let that be you.
No Checked Baggage Fees
With about airlines charging fees for checked bags nowadays, the fact that Southwest doesn't is a major selling bespeak. Airlines are charging $20-$40 to check a handbag, so if y'all're a family of four who wants to check at least i pocketbook each, it drives the cost of your travel upward. If you're not light packers, it can get expensive.
Southwest offers each passenger up to two free checked numberless of upward to 50 pounds each. I personally endeavor to do carry-on merely equally much as possible, simply my husband and I do non agree on this and he prefers to bank check his handbag. When we are traveling together, I ordinarily go alee and check my bag since I'm going to be at the luggage merits anyway. Since it's free, he doesn't like the hassle of schlepping his suitcase through the cabin.
Southwest allows 1 carry-on and one personal detail in the cabin. I unremarkably take my small rollerboard suitcase and a backpack. If I'm carrying a purse, information technology gets stuffed in my backpack when I'yard boarding considering the ane carry-on and one personal particular rule is enforced by the Southwest flight attendants.
In Flight Services
I hear a lot of people rave nearly how great the in flying services are with Southwest. I've never had a negative experience with any Southwest personnel when flight Southwest Airlines and you'll sometimes find flight coiffure that sings or tells jokes as role of the boarding procedure or safety announcements, although nosotros all know that on lath safety isn't a joke and no one on Southwest tries to brand information technology and then.
We flew on my son's altogether final yr and the flight attendant had the entire motel sing happy birthday to him AND allowed him to help pass out snacks. I've never had that level of service on whatever other carrier. This right hither is office of what keeps me loyal.
In improver to a small corporeality of snack items and the standard beverage options yous're used to on flights (sodas, juices, coffee, tea, alcohol for an extra accuse), Southwest also offers in flight entertainment options. You can watch movies and alive TV for gratuitous on the Southwest app (download information technology before yous travel). Want Wifi? It'due south $8 per 24-hour interval. I've used the WiFi to work in flight and it'southward fast and reliable.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Programme
I know a lot of travelers who are a whiz with loyalty programs and smart use of points. While I'thou getting better at maximizing those memberships, using miles and points has never been intuitive for me. Southwest's plan is piece of cake to understand and use. They as well send drink coupons occasionally with your Rapid Rewards Statement, and who doesn't like that?
Remember earlier when I mentioned Southwest's three fare categories? You'll accrue different levels of Rapid Rewards miles for each category. You get 12 times your fare in miles with a Business Select ticket. Y'all get 6 times your fare if you buy Wanna Get Away (the lowest fare category). If you purchase the higher fare, y'all'll get rewarded in miles. Make sure y'all sign up for Rapid Rewards. My husband, my kids and I all have Rapid Rewards accounts that let us store our personal information and really streamlines the booking process for us. You can transfer Rapid Rewards miles between accounts only we've so far non done that.
If you fly Southwest often and you really want to maximize your Rapid Rewards points, I recommend you check out one of the Southwest credit cards. I currently take two – one personal and 1 for my business concern. The electric current offer (check to see what'due south bachelor on the Southwest website or in flight) is 80,000 miles when you sign upwardly for the business card through Hunt. Information technology was 65,000 when I signed up for my business menu and I saw the 80,000 points offering when I'd had my card for about a calendar month. Sigh. Keep an heart out for the all-time deals.
Learn More than About The Rapid Rewards Program
Earn points for travel at whatsoever time. No blackout dates and points don't elapse. Learn more here.
Southwest and Disney Partner to Celebrate Walt Disney World'south 50th Anniversary
We know a lot of families fly Southwest when heading to visit Mickey. How cool would it be to fly on the special Disney/Southwest celebration airplane? Co-branded on the outside with both logos, it likewise features graphic symbol sightings and Disney touches inside the aircraft.
Merely there's more! Everyday from September 28th through Nov 16th, 2021 you can enter the Southwest50 Days of Giveaways sweepstakes. A winner and up to three guests will win a Southwest and Walt Disney Earth Resort
prize package each day. Consumers tin can visit Southwest.com/50days to enter each day for a take chances to win a holiday package that includes lodging, Walt Disney Earth Resort Theme Park tickets, a Disney Souvenir Menu with a value of $200, and round trip air travel to Orlando, Florida, on Southwest.
So…what do I NOT like nearly Flying Southwest Airlines?
Very picayune, actually. There'south non much to dislike: no change fees, refundable fares, best prices, gratis checked bags. Southwest is different than other U.S. carriers but knowing the ins and outs in accelerate (I hope I've helped you out) usually eliminates whatever confusion or negative experience with those differences.
Other than non liking the fact that they don't fly everywhere I have to fly (and they're expanding at a good rate and then I can't really exist mad at them about that), there are three things I don't honey well-nigh Southwest airlines:
Limited food service
You'll receive in-flight snacks, such every bit cookies or pretzels, but if you desire something more substantial, you need to bring your own. Repast service on domestic flights is pretty much a thing of the past, simply other carriers often have snack boxes or sandwiches available for purchase in flying. Southwest does not. Really, this is a small affair but something worth knowing nearly and planning for, especially when you're traveling with kids.
Booking really far in advance isn't possible
You tin can book your Southwest flight nigh five months in accelerate. Yous can't book any further out than that. I mentioned booking tickets early on Southwest for the best price and not waiting, but they don't offer y'all the pick of booking really far in advance for planned travel.
Direct flights aren't always nonstop flights
Southwest has a few routes where yous tin can book a direct flight from one betoken to some other but the airplane will really cease in one or more locations in betwixt. Yous won't have to deplane or change gates, but this can add to your flying time and affect your seating. I one time booked a "direct" flight from Tampa to San Antonio and it actually stopped in Houston to let passengers off and on. Passengers getting on the plane in Houston didn't have their option of seating, since the plane was mostly full. I had boarded in Group A in Tampa, where the flight originated, so I didn't have an issue with seating, merely it added some time to my journey home. Just be aware.
Also, while this has not presented an upshot for me, Southwest sometimes utilizes smaller airports. For example, Southwest flights going through Dallas will go through Dallas Dearest Field Airport which is on the other side of the metropolis from the main Dallas Along Worth Aerodrome. Flights going through Houston will go to Houston Hobby instead of Houston Intercontinental. Flights going through Chicago volition get through Midway versus O'Hare, etc. If you lot will modify carriers – for whatever reason – double cheque that you are not going to be required to change airports.
Overall, the pros profoundly outweigh the cons and I fly Southwest every bit often as I can. They are the overall best for saving money, they take a great on-time rate, and smashing service.
Source: https://www.travelingmom.com/complete-guide-for-families-flying-southwest-airlines-traveling-mom/
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