What are the Rules for Infants on Southwest Airlines?

Infants are exposed to higher risk when they travel by air. To ensure that they are safe throughout, Southwest Airlines infant policy requires you to follow rules. They have been made mandatory for infants over 14 days and below 2 years. But the airline tries to ensures a convenient flight for you and your infant. A stroller may be checked in hold if you want it at your destination. There may be restrictions on size and weight. You will find them in baggage reclaim area upon landing at the destination. The rules for infants cover the below aspects.

• The number of infants allowed per reservation.
• Acquiring a seat for infants.
• Child restraint systems approved by Southwest.

Considering the details involved, getting confused about the rules is always possible. Flyostudio may be reached on +1-844-414-9223 to understand the rules. In this blog, we will cover salient aspects only.

How Do I Book an Infant on Southwest?

Infants whether they occupy a seat or travel on lap must be booked during initial purchase. You may book lap infant on Southwest online. Both lap infants and infants occupying a seat must be linked to the reservation. The charges to be paid will depend on whether you are traveling on a domestic or international route. On international flights, you may have to pay taxes defined by the destination also. You may remember the below points when you are booking a child.

• Lap infant on domestic routes - No charge needs to be paid for infant traveling on lap.
• Lap infant on international routes - A ticket may be required irrespective of whether the infant is traveling on lap or on seat.
• Infant occupying own seat - A seat will have to be purchased and you’ll have to bring your carseat.
• Infants booked on partner airlines of Southwest - Seats must be booked for them.
• A child over 12 years of age may hold an infant on lap - Children over 12 years are allowed to travel with an infant on lap.
• Lap child age verification - A passport, birth certificate or government-issued photo identification card may have to submitted at airport.

You may not be able to add a lap infant after booking on Southwest. The number of infants on a booking may not exceed the number of adults and children. For details or assistance you may contact Flyostudio or Southwest on +1-844-414-9223 or +1-800-435-9792.

Is there a restriction on seats you can choose for infants on Southwest?

Yes, there are restrictions on seats to be occupied by infants. According to Southwest child travel policy, the seats to be chosen for infants must ensure free movement of other passengers. In view of this, take a look at what it entails.

• A window seat is what Southwest recommends - Window seat keeps the child safe and reduces any possibility of objection from co-passengers.
• Aisle seats are completely not allowed for infants - Because infants on aisle seats may reduce free movement of co-passengers, they are at best avoided.
• Exit row seats can’t be occupied - Emergency exit row seats are meant for physically sound adults.
• Rows in front and behind Exit row - As a policy, these are also not allowed for infants.

Can flight attendants help if I am traveling with an infant on Southwest?

Present norms on Southwest are meant to facilitate adults traveling with an infant. Family boarding is offered to them. Family boarding window is after Group-A and before Group-B for up to 2 adults flying with infant on Southwest. Take a look at other types of assistance you may get from flight attendants.

• Adjacent seats on flight - Attendants help you get adjacent seating on a flight.
• Change of flights - If adjacent seats are not available, a flight attendant may help you take another flight. Attendants may assist you with deplaning if rebooking is required after you board.
• Extra help in securing the infant - An infant may help you with setting up a child restraint system. An attendant may provide you with a seatbelt to secure your infant to seat.
• Assistance with changing a flight - If you’ve already added a lap infant, you’ll have to call customer service to change.

Does Southwest want me to bring my own carseat?

Southwest entails that you bring your own carseat if you book a separate seat for your infant. On this airline, a carseat is an approved child restraint system. A carseat and a stroller are included in Southwest infant baggage allowance. But here are a few things you must know about carseats.

• Approved US-made carseats on Southwest - The carseat manufactured after 1985 must be certified for use in flights.
• Approved carseats from other countries - Certification from a government body is required.
• Position of carseat while the infant is flying - A child weighing 20-40 pounds must be placed in a carseat facing the front of aircraft. A child weighing below 20 pounds must be placed towards the back of aircraft.

Newborn infants below 14 days old may travel with some extra precautionary measures. You will also need a doctor’s certificate declaring the infant fit for flying. For details or assistance you may contact Flyostudio or Southwest on +1-844-414-9223 or +1-800-435-9792.