I didn't even know the limit for family boarding was 4. The last couple times we've flown was shortly after my child's 5th birthday, and as soon as they saw that we wanted to gate check a carseat they told us to use family boarding.

I've seen people abusing the family boarding limits all the time, like families with teens lining up for it. The gate agents don't seem to enforce it well. So, OP, you are probably fine.

We pay for early boarding. So the other people who paid for early boarding may feel that you should have also. but before I figured that out, people were pretty nice about switching seats. lately, though, I am feeling better about assigned seats on other airlines. less of a race to the seats.

I think the squichy-ness of family boarding really depends on the flight. On flights to Orlando, for example, when 50% of the people have kids, they tend to be a lot more strict with family boarding age requirements.
If you're going to Dayton and your 9 year old is the only child in the boarding area, they'll usually let you get away with family boarding.

In general, though, if your child is 5 or older, just pay for the freaking EBCI and save yourself and everyone else the drama.

Anonymous wrote:And this is why I love Southwest - it's like reasonable people decided that the airline experience can still be workable in this day and age. Guaranteed United and American you would have received surly service from a rude agent, if you got any service at all.

indeed, I posted that last summer the agent was pretty lenient about family boarding. The no assigned seats thing is a bit of a pain but of all the airlines they are the most accommodating.

Last summer we took SW. DS was 5. I spoke to the gate agent and asked if we could still do family boarding if since he was 5 (not a big deal b/c we were b5/6 or something like that), anyway she told me as long as he wasn't 10 or so she typically lets all parents with kids board with family boarding. I think it depends on the gate agent. Just ask them and they may accommodate. Otherwise be prepared for some switching or for the 9 year old to sit alone. BTW no one wants to sit next to an unaccompanied child so most likely people will move.
You might get an aisle and a middle and then a middle on the other side of the aisle. That is not too bad.


Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:The free bags barely make up for their family-unfriendly boarding. The stewards are nice but yes I do need to sit next to my two kids and no I should not have to pay extra for that.

You don't have to pay extra. You just have to check in on time. It takes one click and can be done 24 hours before flight time. Set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself.

Anonymous wrote:The free bags barely make up for their family-unfriendly boarding. The stewards are nice but yes I do need to sit next to my two kids and no I should not have to pay extra for that.

+1 Not paying for bags is a big deal. We have paid for the pre boarding and still got lousy numbers. I don't think its worth paying for. We have done a mix of family and disability boarding.

The free bags barely make up for their family-unfriendly boarding. The stewards are nice but yes I do need to sit next to my two kids and no I should not have to pay extra for that.

We have always had good experiences flying Southwest. We just buy Early Bird and get great seats. I really appreciate not having to pay bag fees because, with 3 kids under the age of 7, we have a lot of gear and stuff that we bring when we travel. (And I have been known to over-pack my own clothes too.)

This is one big reason I stopped flying Southwest. I know many people love the airline, but I have never had a good experience and finally just said no more. And my 9-year old told me about 2 years ago that he used to like flying but would rather stay home than have to fly Southwest.

I would try and do family boarding, last time I flew SW nobody wanted to give up a seat because they all needed the aisle or window or had paid extra. Hate their boarding procedures.

And this is why I love Southwest - it's like reasonable people decided that the airline experience can still be workable in this day and age. Guaranteed United and American you would have received surly service from a rude agent, if you got any service at all.

Glad it is working out for you, OP!

Real time update: Gate agent gave us a preboard pass for "disability" bc I have a broken wrist. Didn't occur to me to try to exploit that -- it was her idea. Thanks, Southwest!