What is the age limit for Southwest children?

What is the age limit for Southwest children? Our Unaccompanied Minor program is only for children ages five through 11 years old. Children 12 and older are allowed to travel independently as Young Travelers. However, you should decide whether a Young Traveler is capable of and comfortable with doing all of the following independently: Navigating all airports.

How do airports verify kids?

Even though most airlines don't require photo I.D. for children or teens under 16, some parents run into trouble if they're traveling with a teen who looks older than they are. In such cases, having a birth certificate handy will solve any foreseeable troubles with proving your traveling companion's age.

What does an 11 year old need to fly southwest?

Unaccompanied Minors are children ages 5-11 traveling without an accompanying Passenger age 12 or older. These children must be escorted to the airport by a guardian and provide proof of age documentation such as a birth certificate.

How do airlines verify a child age?

Original or photocopies of government-issued identification (e.g., passport, birth certificate, government-issued photo identification card) are the only acceptable forms of proof of age.

Do you have to pay full price for a child on a plane?

Child Ticket Age and Price You're required to purchase a seat for children, although in most cases they're considerably cheaper than the price of an adult ticket (between 25—33% cheaper). Some airlines offer tickets for young adults, which are usually for passengers aged between 12—16.

Do kids get to board first on Southwest?

The Southwest family boarding process starts after the “A” group has been boarded but before the “B” group begins boarding. The family boarding policy allows up to two adults traveling with a child six or younger to board earlier and, hopefully, secure seating together.

Do parents with kids board plane first?

Depending on their ages and which airline you have chosen, some airlines invite families to board in front of everybody else, while others allow those with kids to slide in somewhere between elite passengers and regular coach-flying folk.

Are kids considered adults on Southwest Airlines?

We consider children ages 12 through 17 traveling alone to be Young Travelers (YTs). Our Unaccompanied Minor (UMs) procedures do not apply to unaccompanied Passengers ages 12 through 17.

Can you save seats on Southwest?

Re: Saving Seats Unfortunately, there's no policy to enforce. Officially, Southwest has no policy for or against seat saving, and in practice actively allows it. Reps will even suggest that passengers save seats for later boarding companions.

What is the age limit for kids to fly free?

Infants under 2 years old can travel at no charge in the lap of their parent (any age), or an accompanying adult 16 years or older traveling in the same cabin. We welcome infants as young as 2 days old, but infants less than 7 days old require a 'Passenger Medical' form to be completed before your flight.

Does a 3 year old need a flight ticket?

YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A TICKET FOR YOUR CHILD IF YOU: Have a child that is 2 years old or older. Have a child that turns 2 during the trip. Prefer the child sit in a seat with an FAA-approved child safety seat. Already have a child that will be sitting in your lap, regardless of age.

Can my 3 year old sit my lap airplane?

Although children who have not reached their second birthday are permitted to travel as lap children, the FAA strongly discourages this practice and recommends that you secure your child in an approved CRS in their own seat for the entire flight.

What if my child turns 2 on the trip?

If a child turns 2 years during the trip, they need to have a child ticket instead of infant ticket, due to the seating on the return flight.

Does checking in early get you a better seat on Southwest?

Customers who purchase an Anytime fare will automatically be checked in to their flight 36 hours prior to scheduled departure—that's 12 hours before our traditional 24-hour check-in. You will receive an earlier boarding position, improved seat selection, and earlier access to overhead bins.