Informing Southwest Of Infant Travel

If you're planning to fly with an infant on your lap, you'll need to let Southwest know in advance. You can do this by calling their customer service team or by visiting a Southwest agent at the airport. You'll also need to bring proof of your child's age to the airport—a photocopy or original of their birth certificate, passport, or government-issued ID card. A screenshot or digital copy won't be accepted. If you're travelling internationally, you'll need to pay taxes and fees for your infant.

How to book a Southwest flight with an infant

Step 1: Check the infant's age

Before booking, check that your infant is eligible to fly. Southwest Airlines defines a lap child or lap infant as at least 14 days old but under 2 years old. They do not occupy their own seat but spend the duration of the flight on an adult's lap. If your infant is 2 years or older, they will need their own ticket and seat.

Step 2: Have the infant's documents ready

Southwest Airlines requires you to show proof of age for your infant. Bring along an original or photocopy of either a birth certificate, passport, or government-issued ID card. A screenshot or digital copy won't be accepted. If you are unable to prove your infant's age, you may be forced to purchase a full-price ticket. However, you can request a refund after submitting valid proof of age to Southwest via email upon returning home.

Step 3: Search for flights

Go to Southwest.com and search for flights as usual. When selecting the number of passengers, make sure to select the number of lap infants travelling in addition to adults.

Step 4: Input passenger information

After selecting your flights, go to the "Who's travelling" section and input all the adults' information, as well as the infant's. If you plan to book a flight for yourself and a lap infant using Rapid Rewards points, you will need to call the airline.

Step 5: Get a boarding pass

Lap infants do not need their own boarding pass, but they will need a boarding verification document. You can print this out at a check-in kiosk or check-in counter on the day of travel. It is recommended to arrive at the airport a few minutes early to ensure you have all the necessary documents before going through security.

Step 6: Board the plane

Since there are no assigned seats on Southwest flights, those travelling with young children or lap infants will want to be at the gate a few minutes early. This will allow you to board the plane together during family boarding, which happens after boarding group A is called. Family boarding allows up to two adults with small children (at least one under 6 years old) to board together, giving them a better chance of securing seats together.

What to do if you can't book online

If you are unable to book online, you will need to contact Southwest directly by phone or in person.

By phone

Call Southwest's Customer Service team on 1(800) 435-9792 or 1(800) 243-8372. You can book your flight with an infant fare by calling these numbers. You will need to provide the age of the infant and proof of their age at the airport.

In person

You can also visit a Southwest agent at the airport to make or change a reservation. Again, you will need to provide proof of the infant's age when you check in.

Booking with points

If you plan to book a flight for you and a lap infant with Rapid Rewards points, you will need to call the airline to do so.

What documents you need when travelling with an infant

When travelling with an infant, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the necessary travel documents for your infant to enter or transit through each country on your itinerary. It is important to verify the requirements for each country as the required documents for your outbound flight may differ from those required on your return.

Domestic Travel

In the United States, infants do not need identification for TSA, however, to fly as a lap infant, you need to prove to the airline that they are indeed under 2 years old. While many airlines will not ask for documentation, Southwest Airlines has a policy to check for age verification on lap infants regardless of appearance, so it is best to be prepared. You can use one of the following documents to prove your child's age:

• Child's passport
• Child's birth certificate
• Child's immunization form or other medical records (may only work for domestic travel)

International Travel

For international travel, infants must have the same travel documents as adults, including a passport or visa. If the infant is travelling without both parents, a letter of consent from the other parent or signed by both parents may be required. This letter should be in English and notarized if possible.

How to get a boarding pass for an infant

To get a boarding pass for an infant when flying with Southwest, you must first let the airline know you'll be carrying an infant. To do this, search for flights as usual on Southwest.com, but when selecting the number of passengers, be sure to include the number of lap infants travelling, in addition to the adults. After selecting your flights, enter the information for all adults as well as the infant's information in the "who's travelling" section.

If you plan to book a flight for yourself and a lap infant using Rapid Rewards points, you'll need to call the airline to do so. You'll also need to call or visit a Southwest agent at the airport to make changes to a reservation that includes a lap infant after you've completed the booking. As long as you're flying domestically, you can add a lap infant to an existing reservation at a self-service kiosk at the airport. You can also update the baby's date of birth, gender, and name, as well as print a boarding document at a kiosk.

If your infant does not require a separate seat, you can contact the Southwest Customer Care Center at (800) 243-8372 for assistance with your booking. If you wish to reserve a separate seat for your infant, enter their age as 1 and be sure to bring proof of their age to the airport. Children 2 years or older are required to have their own seat and ticket.

Southwest does not require babies to have their own boarding pass, but they will need a boarding verification document, which can be printed out at a check-in kiosk or check-in counter on the day of travel. This document is similar to a boarding pass and confirms that the child's age has been verified by a birth certificate. You can only obtain this document at the ticket counter or the Skycap curbside counters at the airport before security.

Where to board if travelling with an infant

When travelling with an infant, it is important to be aware of the airline's policies and to come prepared with the necessary documentation. Here is some information on where to board if you are travelling with an infant on a Southwest flight.

Boarding with an Infant on Southwest:

Southwest Airlines does not have assigned seats, and instead assigns boarding group numbers (A, B, and C, each numbered 1-60) to passengers, who can then choose any open seat. Families with young children or lap children are allowed to board together during family boarding, which takes place after boarding group A is called. This allows up to two adults with children 6 years old or younger to board early and secure seats together. It is recommended to arrive at the gate a few minutes early to take advantage of this family boarding option.

Obtaining a Boarding Verification Document:

If you are travelling with a lap infant, you will need to obtain a boarding verification document, which is similar to a boarding pass and confirms that the infant's age has been verified. This document can be printed at a check-in kiosk or counter at the airport on the day of travel. It is important to allow extra time for this process, as it cannot be done in advance.

Booking a Separate Seat for Your Infant:

If you prefer to have a separate seat for your infant, you will need to purchase a ticket and bring proof of your child's age to the airport. This option may be preferable if you want to use an FAA-approved child safety seat, as these seats must be purchased in advance and cannot be added at the gate.

In summary, when travelling with an infant on Southwest, take advantage of the family boarding option to secure seats together, and don't forget to obtain a boarding verification document if your infant will be on your lap. If you require a separate seat for your infant, be sure to book in advance and bring the necessary documentation.

Frequently asked questions