Southwest ?

Our party consists of 4 adults and 5 children. We usually fly Spirit out of Atlantic City to Orlando. Usually, even with all the crazy fees Spirit is the cheapest choice. This year although still cheaper Spirit's departure times don't work great with our schedule. So, we are looking at Southwest. My concern is the seating. Our children are older (9-16) but inexperienced fliers and don't want them separated from the adults. Will this be a problem on Southwest? I am reading that you don't pick your seats they are assigned. Thanks for the help!

You do get to pick your seats on Southwest. You are assigned a boarding number when you check-in on line (24 hours ahead of your flight, or you can purchase early boarding checkin for $10 person).

Once you're on the plane, you can take any open seat. You might not get all seats together, but it shouldn't be a problem to have small adult/kids groups together.

Someone with a lot more Southwest experience will be along shortly, but don't worry that you'll all be separated, it is a rare occurance.

We almost always fly southwest out of New Orleans when we fly. They have this thing called early bird where you pay a fee (12.50 each way last I checked) and you supposedly get a higher boarding number. Pretty much you pick your seat, but obviously the lower the number the better :) Hope you enjoy your flight, we have always enjoyed SW :)

Southwest has a little different type of seating arrangement. As the PP said, you are assigned a boarding number when you check in online (or at the airport, although this is HIGHLY discouraged!)

Southwest boards in groups (A, B, C) based upon:
1) Business Select
2) "A-List" (frequent fliers)
3) Early Bird
4) 24-hour Check In

The "A" and "B" groups are 60 passengers each and the "C" group fills out the plane.

For an extra $10 per ticket, you can get an "Early Bird" seating assignment. What this does is start assigning boarding positions based on how many Business Select and "A-List" passengers (priority seating) have bought tickets for the flight. Once those passengers have been assigned their boarding positions, the Early Bird passengers are assigned their boarding positions base on when the paid for the Early Bird option. (Yes, the Early Bird option can be added after the original purchase of the ticket. Strange, but true. I know because I did it once. Long story that I won't get into here! LOL) The Business Select, "A-List" and Early Bird boarding positions are assigned 36 hours prior to the flight, so you are guaranteed boarding positions earlier than those who did not purchase the option, as they can only check in and get their assigned boarding position 24 hours prior to the flight.

The big thing would be to make sure you get in the "A" boarding group. That would pretty much assure you of seats together. If you have concerns about sitting together, I would suggest buying the Early Bird option when you first purchase your tickets.

Hope this wasn't TOO confusing!! :D

Do they still allow people with kids to preboard?

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Originally Posted by Ltmoko

Do they still allow people with kids to preboard?

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People with younger children board between the "A" and "B" groups. This is because of all the Business Select, "A List" and Early Bird boarders.

It is often better to pay for Early Bird or just make sure you check in at the 24 hour mark to get in the "A" boarding group.

Make sure that you check in right at the 24 hour prior departure time; if you wait even a minute, it could mean a number 10-20 higher than you could have received.

You'll be given an option to print your boarding pass after checking in online, but don't worry if you aren't connected to a printer at the moment, you can "reprint" your boarding pass at the airport. Just make sure to check in exactly at the 24 hour mark and have your confirmation number ready.

I always purchase the early bird option when flying with the kids. It's now $12.50 a person, but for us it's worth it. I've never had a problem finding seats together when I've bought the early bird.

Southwest is a great airline, have a great trip!

You can check in from the southwest app on your smartphone as well, which is what I will be doing since I'll be at work when my 24 hour prior time hits.