Inside: Things to know before flying southwest airlines to help you know what to expect.
For years southwest airlines has been our go to airline when traveling throughout the United States.
When we first started flying with the airline we would price check, but with baggage fees and/ or seat fees Southwest was typically the same price or cheaper.
We always loved knowing we could take everything we need when traveling with kids since we could check 2 bags per ticket.
Over the years we have had companion passes multiple times which we have loved and has allowed us to travel even more.
After years of traveling with Southwest Airlines, we stopped checking other airlines…but that may be changing.
If you haven’t flown Southwest before there are a few things you should know before you head to the airport and some big airline changes!
Things to Know Before Flying Southwest Airlines in 2025
Here are a few things you need to know about flying Southwest with kids (or without them), so you won’t have any unpleasant surprises.
Kids Under 2 Can Fly Free
From the ages of 14
If you prefer having them in a car seat while flying you can purchase them a seat it’s totally up to you. If you are going to purchase a seat for your infant you can call customer service for Infant Fares.
By having our kids sit on our laps for flights until they turn 2 it has saved us a lot of money on tickets.
One child over 14 days old and under 2 years old can be carried on a flight free of charge when traveling with an adult. 1 free child per adult.
ALL Lap Children Require Birth Certificates
If you have a lap child you will have to go to the Southwest ticket counter at the airport to show the agent your child’s birth certificate so they can print a Boarding Verification Document for your child.
Tip: A photo of your child’s birth certificate on your phone works well, so you don’t have to worry about a loose paper.
You Needed a Printed “Ticket” for Lap Child
You will need a printed Boarding Verification Document for your lap child that states your child is the correct age to be a lap child and this document works as your child’s ticket to get through security and on to the plane.
This document can be printed at the ticket counter or skycap counter before security. The BVD cannot be printed at home or accessed on the Southwest App.
Don’t think you can skip this, it will only delay you from getting on the plane and it may cause you to miss your boarding position.
Bags DON’T Fly Free
As you’ve probably heard Southwest Airlines is known for bags flying free… but starting in May 2025 those bags won’t fly free anymore!
One of the big reasons we have always flow Southwest is that with each ticket purchased you can check two bags weighing up to 50 lbs. for free.
With the change to the bag policy be ready to pay for your checked bags.
You may want to comparison shop between other airlines to see if Southwest is still the best deal (I know we will be comparison shopping since flying with kids usually requires multiple checked bags.)
Bonus: strollers and car seats currently fly free and don’t count as a bag, I’m not sure if that will change with the new baggage fees.
Open Seating and Family Boarding is Awesome… For Now
Southwest Airlines is open seating which means you don’t have an assigned seat instead you have a boarding position. Boarding groups are in alphabetical order A, B, and C with numbers 1-60 for each letter.
If you’re lucky you might get an A boarding position. But even if you don’t get an A position don’t stress. If you are traveling with anyone 6 or younger you can board the plane during family boarding.
Southwest does family boarding between the A and B group to allow the family’s extra time to board and to be able to get seats together. Each time we have done Family boarding we have been able to get seats together.
Pro Tip: To be able to board during family boarding you have to be at the gate when boarding starts. Plan on being at the gate at least 35 minutes before departure since boarding typically starts 30 minutes before departure.
Assigned Seating Coming Soon
BIG change is coming to seating for Southwest Airlines. They will be moving away from the open seating policy the end of this year.
It looks like the airlines plan right now is to end the open seating in early 2026. The airline is expected to start selling tickets with assigned seating in the second half of 2025.
With the change to assigned seating they have said their will be a family boarding option, but we aren’t sure what that will look like.
Check-in for Flights
Boarding position are assigned according to who checks in for the flight first.
Flight check-in starts exactly 24 hours before the flight departs and if you’re wanting an A or early B boarding position you need to be ready to check-in as soon as the numbers on the clock change.
Each second counts and could mean the difference between an A and a C boarding position.
If it’s not a full flight you might still get a good boarding position even you forget to check in on time.
Early Bird Check-in
If you aren’t traveling with someone 6 or younger you can purchase early bird check-in This feature allows you to be front of the line or you can risk it and try to get a good boarding position by being the first to check-in.
Pack the Snacks
Pack ALL the Snacks. Southwest offers complimentary nonalcoholic* drinks and snacks on flights. Snacks are often snack-size packages of cookies, crackers or pretzels on longer flights. (They no longer serve peanuts.)
Be sure to bring along snacks or stop in the airport and grab something to bring on the plane with you, especially when traveling with kids.
On longer flights they typically bring snacks and drinks around a couple times, but there aren’t many snack options so we always like to bring snacks with us.
*Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase
Download the Southwest App
Download the Southwest app before your flight to enjoy free tv and movies as well as to utilize the flight tracker.
My kids love watching the flight tracker and seeing the plane move across the map. Watching Disney channel or a movie is always a great distraction when the kids have had enough.
Tip: Having other games and videos downloaded on a tablet is always a good idea for when you need a distraction on the plane.
Get Rewarded for Flying
Southwest’s rapid rewards is an awesome program. There are no blackout dates for using points. If you can buy a seat you can get it by redeeming points!
No Change Fees!
This is seriously probably one of my favorite things about Southwest! You can change your flight up to 15 minutes before departure for FREE!
If you cancel the flight you will receive credit for the value of the flight the credit needs to be used within a year. If you change the flight you just pay the price difference no fee!
Since there is no fee to change your flight if you book a trip and the flight price goes down simple rebook the same flight and get some money or credit back!! We have done this so many times it’s one of the reasons we fly Southwest so often!!
Flying Southwest
While there are still a lot of things we love about Southwest Airlines. The change to the baggage fees and having a fee for assigned seats are things that may make us look at other airlines more often in future travels.
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this post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated