How to Fly with an Infant on Southwest Airlines

What are the regulations for flying with a baby on a flight?

Traveling with a baby is a hassle in itself. Making sure of his health and security, ensuring he sleeps and doesn’t disturb others, plus the lengthy documentation. All of this makes the whole flight experience hectic and stressful and takes away the enjoyment. But if you are traveling with Southwest Airlines, you don’t have to worry. Southwest airlines provides straightforward and convenient policies. 

In this blog, we are going to discuss the Southwest Airlines infant policy in detail. And learn about aspects such as lap infant, in-flight and boarding requirements, and regulations for bringing a car seat and a stroller. Read this blog and make your experience very easy. 

What are the regulations of Southwest's infant policy? 

Southwest Infant Policy provides instructions related to age, documentation, the booking process, and other regulations. The policy is designed to keep the passengers' comfort in mind. Here are some standard rules of this policy: 

Lap child: 

• Only children between 14 days and 2 years of age can travel without occupying a seat. 

• If the guardian feels required, they may book a seat for them. 

• The child can travel with an adult of at least 12 years. 

• One passenger can carry one lap child.  

• If any passengers are traveling with more than one child, they have to book a ticket for one child. 

Ticket regulations: 

• No boarding pass is required; at that place, you’ll receive a boarding verification document.   

• That document can be accessed during online check-in or check-in at the ticket counter. You can print it or keep it online; airlines accept any form. 

• Passengers can visit the kiosk, add a lap infant to the reservation, complete check-in, edit the name, gender, and birthdate of the baby, and also print the boarding verification document. 

• As per the Southwest regulations, kids fly free on domestic flights if they are traveling on their parents ' laps. 

• Meanwhile, international destination passengers have to pay government-imposed taxes and fees to get a ticket. 

• Passengers can add a baby to a reservation at a kiosk only if they are traveling domestically. 

How to book a seat for Southwest?

Southwest policy traveling with baby provides passengers with a step-by-step process to book a ticket for the infant or simply make a reservation by informing the airline. Here is the process to add an infant: 

• Visit the southwest.com site and start booking by providing the city and date.

• Then, in the passenger field, add the number of passengers and select adult plus lap child. 

• Then follow the normal booking process. 

• Fill in the names and use the drop-down next to associate a lap child with an adult. 

Offline: 

Southwest Infant Flying allows passengers who want to book tickets offline to do so by visiting the airport counter for ticket booking, or they can also contact customer service and book or add a lap infant to the reservation later. 

• Call or visit a representative and ask them to add a lap Infant or book your ticket with a lap infant. 

• They will tell you some important regulations and instructions. 

When making changes to these reservations, it is better to visit the airport agent or contact customer service.

Are diaper bags and strollers allowed on Southwest? 

Southwest Lap Child Policy allows passengers to bring a small diaper bag: 

• That contains a breast pump or baby milk. 

• The bag will not be counted as a personal bag or carry-on. 

• There are no restrictions on the quantity of baby milk; you may have to show it at the security screening. 

• Passengers can carry a breast pump on the flight, but there is no place on the plane for personal use. 

Southwest Airlines' stroller policy provides that any passenger who is carrying a stroller or a child restraint system must do so. They have to gate check-in. 

Usually, gate check-in items are received baggage claim on arrival, but if you need it, you can ask the agent to get it on the jet bridge in your connecting city or at the destination. 

Items like portable and folding cribs or pack-and-play will be counted as regular baggage and checked baggage regulations will be applicable.

What are the regulations for car seats and strollers?  

Southwest's car seat policy clearly states that if any passenger has booked a separate seat for the baby, then they must bring an FAA-approved car seat with them.

If you are choosing Southwest, traveling with infant. Please make sure that you know the regulations for bringing CRS. The CRS system is designed to ensure that your baby can travel safely during flights, just like in a car. If you are booking a separate seat for your baby, then you have to bring this. The flight attendants will help you with the installation. 

What are the document requirements while traveling with a pet? 

As per Southwest, while flying with infant, you may need to provide valid proof of their age so that airlines can ensure the age of the child and also about their safety. That’s why it is important to carry these documents: 

• Passengers can carry documents like a passport, birth certificate, or government-issued ID for age verification. 

• Airlines do not accept screenshots, immunization records, or phone images of the document. 

• If the infant's age is less than 14 days, passengers must provide a medical release to travel. 

Tips to consider while traveling with kids and infants: 

Southwest Airlines' minor policy provides flexibility in traveling, but here are some tips that, if followed, passengers can enhance their whole experience:  

• Make sure to carry enough food, as airlines may carry snacks but not whole food. 

• The bay must be in your lap the whole flight, or your own seat; roaming in the aisle is not permitted and safe. 

• Carry their pajamas and stuffed animals with them, and items for keeping them entertained. 

• The baby may get annoyed and disturbed on the flight; it is essential to ensure that they eat well and have had a good sleep.