As a family-friendly airline, Southwest Airlines offers a unique boarding policy for families traveling with children. This policy, called Family Boarding, allows families with children under the age of 6 to board the plane after Group A but before Group B. In this article, we'll explore the Southwest Family Boarding policy and what it means for parents traveling with young children. CHECK southwest family boarding 7 year old

Understanding Southwest's Boarding Groups

Before we dive into Family Boarding, it's important to understand how Southwest's boarding process works. Unlike other airlines, Southwest does not assign seats. Instead, passengers are assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a boarding position (1-60) within that group. Passengers board the plane in order of their boarding group and position.

Group A includes passengers with EarlyBird Check-In, those who purchased a Business Select fare, and those with Rapid Rewards A-List or A-List Preferred status. Group B includes passengers who checked in online or at the airport within 24 hours of their flight. Group C includes passengers who did not check in within 24 hours of their flight.

What is Family Boarding?

Family Boarding is a policy that allows families with children under the age of 6 to board the plane after Group A but before Group B. This gives families extra time to find seats together and get settled before the rest of the passengers board. Family Boarding is available on all Southwest flights, including international flights.

To take advantage of Family Boarding, families must simply let the gate agent know that they have young children who qualify for the policy. The gate agent will then provide the family with a boarding pass that indicates their boarding group and position.

What are the Benefits of Family Boarding?

Family Boarding can make the boarding process much easier and less stressful for parents traveling with young children. Here are some of the benefits of this policy:

  1. More time to find seats together: With Family Boarding, families have extra time to find seats together before the rest of the passengers board. This can be especially important for families with young children who need to sit with a parent or sibling.

  2. Less stress: Boarding a plane can be stressful for anyone, but it can be even more stressful for parents traveling with children. Family Boarding can help alleviate some of that stress by giving families extra time and space to get settled.

  3. Avoiding the rush: By boarding after Group A, families can avoid the rush and crowds that come with boarding with the general Group B passengers. This can make the boarding process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.

  4. Saving seats: Family Boarding also allows families to save seats for other family members who may be boarding later. This can be especially useful if a family member is traveling on a separate reservation or arriving on a later flight.

Tips for Using Family Boarding

Here are some tips for using Family Boarding to make your travel experience as smooth as possible:

  1. Let the gate agent know: Make sure to let the gate agent know that you have young children who qualify for Family Boarding. This will ensure that you receive the correct boarding pass and boarding group.

  2. Be prepared: Make sure that you have all the necessary items (diapers, snacks, toys, etc.) easily accessible for your children before boarding the plane. This will help make the boarding process smoother and less stressful.

  3. Be considerate: Remember that other passengers are also trying to find seats and get settled. Try to be considerate and avoid taking up more space than you need.

  4. Follow the rules: Remember that Family Boarding is only available for families with children under the age of 6. If your children are older, you will need to board with your assigned