Travelling with your children in Southwest Airlines can be done with much ease if only you have known the age restrictions that apply and the policies that govern this. These include infant travel, toddler travel, and unaccompanied minor travel. It doesn’t make any difference whether you are travelling alone with a child or with many children at once.

Infant Travel (Under 2 Years Old)

Passengers under the age of 2 do not require a separate seat to travel as lap children on domestic flights. Parents need to provide documentation about the age of their kids when checking in or during the journey. You can buy a separate seat if you want your child to have more safety and comfort, and use an FAA approved child restraint system (car seat).

Infant Travel Highlights

• Lap infants below the age of 2 years are allowed to travel without a separate seat on eligible domestic routes.
• Age proof is mandatory.
• Seating purchase is compulsory for the child in case he or she travels with a car seat.
• Free checked bags include one stroller and one child safety seat.
• Lap infants do not get any baggage allowance.

Children Ages 2 and Older

Passengers aged two or more years old will have to pay for their individual ticket. The cost of this service depends on the air ticket fare rate, but the cost varies according to the route, the date of the flight and the types of fares. The use of proper child seats by the parents during the flight is allowed.

Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Policy (Ages 5–11)

The Unaccompanied Minor (UM) program of Southwest Airlines is for children between ages 5 and 11 traveling without an accompanying adult who is 12 years or older. This service gives further help while flying; however, the minors are not always supervised during their flights.

Requirements for Unaccompanied Minors

• Offered for non-stop flights or flights on board only.
• Connections involving changing flights are not allowed.
• Service is unavailable for international flights.
• The adult must fill out necessary documents.

·         Identification cards should be issued to those adults who will leave the child and collect the child after the journey.

·         It is mandatory for the parents to take their children to the gate and wait till they depart.

Young Travelers (Age 12 to 17)

Children aged 12 to 17 traveling by themselves will be considered “Young Travelers” and not “Unaccompanied Minors.” This is because these kids can fly without the mandatory UM service as long as they are capable of handling check-in, screening, boarding, and luggage by themselves.

Southwest Airlines Child Travel Fees

Typically, Southwest Airlines does not impose any additional charges for kids that travel with their parents or guardians on top of the fare for flights. But the children who travel unaccompanied through the Unaccompanied Minor program have to pay an extra service fee for each direction of the trip along with the ticket cost.

Free Items for Families

These are some of the free allowances that family travelers who have kids can benefit from:
• One free stroller per kid
• One free car seat or child restraint device
• Family boarding (where possible)
• Help from Southwest staff members when boarding

Tips for Traveling with Children on Southwest

Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minors policy tips.
• Bring proof of the age of your child.
• Be on time for your check-in, particularly when traveling alone.
• Take non-stop flights where feasible.
• Bring some snacks, entertainment, and necessary medicines.
• Mention the contact information on children's belongings.
• Refer to child travel policies of Southwest prior to your journey.

Conclusion

Infants, children, and adolescents have special flights on Southwest Airlines. Infants can fly as lap babies, children at 2 years old and above should occupy their own seat, and children at 5-11 years old who fly without company should go through unaccompanied minor service. The policies of Southwest Airlines concerning minors make the journey safe and smooth for all the customers and their parents

FAQs

1. When can a child travel alone on Southwest Airlines?

A child between 5 and 11 years can travel alone with the help of the Unaccompanied Minor service of Southwest Airlines. A minor aged 12 to 17 years may fly alone as a Young Traveler.

2. Does Southwest Airlines charge an unaccompanied minor fee?

Yes. Along with the price of the ticket, the traveler has to pay additional costs for the service of the airline concerning unaccompanied minors.

3. Can I fly my baby free on Southwest Airlines?

Yes. An infant less than 2 years old may travel with you without paying for a seat, if he/she is not occupying a separate seat.

4. Is there a charge for strollers and car seats?

No. Southwest Airlines allows each child passenger to check one stroller and one car seat or child restraint at no cost.

5. Can unaccompanied minors connect flights?

No. Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied minors rules are allowed to travel on non-stop and connecting flights only under Southwest Airlines.