Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

So we are flying Southwest with DS and DH.

There is no assigned seating and they have the group A, B, C.

Those who travelled with Southwest know the deal.

24 hours before our flight we have the option to go online and "try" to get into group A.

I really cannot imagine traveling and being separated for a 3 hour flight.

If we cannot get into group A (and assuming SW does not change their policy!), we would have the opportunity to use the "family boarding" after group A is done but before group B.

Of course, EVERY family will be just like us.


We have the option to PAY an additional $10 per person each way. So that's an additional $60.

Is it worth it to pay another $60? We would still be behind in priority being those we special rewards program and business program. But instead of 24 hours, it would 36 hours prior to flight.

Re: Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

I am seriously claustrophobic, so anytime I travel, I go up to the lady at the gate beforehand and tell her this. They usually give me a pass that allows me to board first, before the A people even board. Helps a lot sitting in the front and being able to get out quickly. You could go up to the gate and tell them you are claustrophobic and see if they will give you the pass....and your whole family can go with you.

Re: Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

Nope ...not at all and we travel all the time. You WILL NOT be seperated if you are lucky enough to get A or board after A. There is still ALL of the B and ALL of the C's. Never have I had a problem and we only use southwest. its not worth it at all for your family to pay 10 bucks extra PP.

Re: Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

Unless they take away family boarding I wouldn't pay the money- but if they have family boarding (before the B's) then I wouldn't pay that extra money. If you are really concerned what about maybe paying for it ONLY for the return flight - b.c that is the one that will be harder to check in for.

Re: Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

Re: Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

I usually go on 24 hours beforeand check in...and if we weren't in 'A' we then boarded family boarding and have always sat with each other.

Re: Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

Posted by PrincessP

Nope ...not at all and we travel all the time. You WILL NOT be seperated if you are lucky enough to get A or board after A. There is still ALL of the B and ALL of the C's. Never have I had a problem and we only use southwest. its not worth it at all for your family to pay 10 bucks extra PP.

Re: Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

Thanks!

It's just that I am assuming MOST of the flight is family and many will have kids under 4.

Re: Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

if you do not get Group A, they board families between groups A and B. At least that is how it has been whenever we've flown with DS.

Re: Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

Re: Flying with a child - Paying for assigned seating?

I would not pay - we just flew SW and we did get "A" seats - if you log in at exactly the time - at least one of you will still be in A. DH got on in A and saved our seats. Once a man says "I'm saving it for my wife and baby" that should scare people away from those seats! lol. In our case, he was setting up the car seat so it was pretty obvious a baby was sitting there.

I actually waited to get on with DD until the last possible moment because I didn't want her strapped into her seat the entire time that people were boarding. (I read that in what to expect the toddler years) I just let her run around the airport until we had to board.