Southwest Airlines Infant Policy

Want to know how you can add a lap infant to your Southwest reservation. The process is simple and straightforward and must be done by contacting Southwest directly. This comprehensive guide educates passengers about everything necessary to know when traveling with children on Southwest Airlines.

Does Southwest Airlines Allow Infants On Lap?

Yes, According to the infant policy, the airlines allows infants between two weeks to two years old to board on a passenger’s lap. Some of the conditions that are unavailable when traveling with Southwest are mentioned below.

• The infant traveling must be over 14 days old.
• One one lap child is allowed per passenger.
• The passenger must carry proof, including a birth certificate or passport. 

Southwest Airlines Stroller Policy

According to the Southwest Add lap infant guidelines, when traveling with a child/children, each ticketed passenger may check one stroller, car seat, or child restraint system. However, please note that the strollers and child restraint systems are transported only with a limited release of liability.

What Are The Rules For Flying With Stroller?

According to the Southwest Lap Infant Policy, In addition to the usual two complimentary checked bags per person (weight and size restrictions apply), each ticketed customer may check one stroller and one car seat/child restraint system when traveling with a kid or children. Only a limited release of liability applies while transporting strollers and child restraint devices.

Documents Required For Southwest Add Lap Infant Process

To be eligible to add Lap Child Southwest online or offline, the passenger should carry the following documents - 

• Original or photocopies of government-issued ID proofs. For instance, passport, birth certificate, government-issued photo ID. 
• Electronic screenshots or phone images are not acceptable.
• Passengers may be asked to provide age verification at any point of the journey, so you must travel with the documentation.
• Passengers traveling internationally need to have proper documentation required for entry into and exit from each country. 
• All passengers should contact the appropriate consulate or any government authority before travel to ensure all the required documents are understood. 
• If a passenger intends to travel with a lap child younger than two years old but is required to purchase a ticket due to failure to submit age proofs, they may submit the proof of age through email and request a refund.  

Southwest Airlines Add Lap Infant: Terms & Conditions

Passengers looking to travel with their infants on Southwest Airlines are required to be careful of the terms and conditions associated with the Southwest Airlines add lap infant. 

• A child over 14 days and under the age of two years may be carried as a lap child when traveling with an adult (12 years of age or older).
• Each adult can travel with one lap child.
• Although an infant's boarding pass is not required, a boarding verification document is necessary. This document can be accessed after check-in online using the official website or via the mobile application. It can also be printed at the airport on the day of travel at a self-service kiosk or the ticket counter. 
• For domestic flights, a lap child can be carried for free. On the other hand, for international purposes, government-imposed taxes and fees will be applied. 
• Original documents and photocopies are the only acceptable form of age identification. Electronic screenshots and smartphone images are not permitted.

Southwest Airlines Infant Baggage Allowance Policy

Whether a passenger is concerned about the Southwest Airlines infant baggage allowance international or domestic rules and regulations, the guidelines are equivalent. Let’s evaluate all the infant baggage-related information provided by the airline.

1 - Carry on Baggage 

If you purchased a ticket for your baby, an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved child-restrain system/car seat can be carried, and it will be used during flight and count toward your carryon limit. 

2 - Checked Baggage

In addition to the standard two free checked bags per person where the weight and size-related limits apply, each ticketed passenger may check one stroller, car seat, or child restrain system when traveling with a child/children. Passengers can check the stroller or CRS (child restrain system) at the ticket counter, gate, or where curbside check-in is available. Infant items such as portable/foldable cribs or “pack & plays” count as regular bags and will count toward the standard two free checked bags (weight and size limits apply). 

How Do I Add A Lap Infant On Southwest Online?

In the process to adding lap child Southwest online, a passenger needs to adhere to the following steps -

• Step 1 - Go to Southwest Airlines' official website.
• Step 2 - Select the dates of your trip as well as the cities of departure and destination. 
• Step 3 - Choose the number of adults and children in the passenger field to determine the total number of seats needed. 
• Step 4 - Tap the "Select Flight" option.
• Step 5 - Continue with the pages titled "Trip & Price Details."
• Step 6 - Fill in the "Who's Flying" section with each passenger's information. (Note: You must associate the lap child with an adult passenger by using the drop-down menu next to the lap child's details if several adults and lap children are traveling).

How To Book A Ticket For A Lap Infant On Southwest At A Self-Service Kiosk?

Passengers may use the self-service kiosk machine as follows -

• Step 1 - First, the customer and a lap child need to check in. 
• Step 2 - Add a lap child to the reservation.
• Step 3 - Edit the child’s name, gender, or birthdate. 
• Step 4 - Print the boarding verification document (BVD). BVDs are also available online and via mobile app after check-in. 

Note - Passengers can only use the self-service kiosk to add lap infant Southwest if they are flying domestically. Self-service kiosks will not work to add lap infants for international travel purposes. 

How To Book A Ticket For A Lap Infant On Southwest International Or Domestic?

According to the Southwest Airlines add lap infant policy, passengers can book a reservation with a lap child domestically and internationally as long as they are not booking their flight with Rapid Rewards Points. 

To know the process of adding a lap infant to the reservation, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

• Step 1 - Open the official website of Southwest Airlines.
• Step 2 - Choose your departure city and destination city, along with the travel dates. 
• Step 3 - In the passenger field, select the total number of seats require by selecting the number of adults and children. 
• Step 4 - Tap on the “Select Flight” option. 
• Step 5 - Proceed with the “Trip & Price Details” pages.
• Step 6 - Now, complete the “Who’s Flying” field by entering the details of each passenger. (Note - if multiple adults and lap children are traveling, you need to use the drop-down option next to the Lap Child’s information to associate the lap child with an adult passenger).

Can I Add A Child To An Already Booked Southwest Ticket?

Customers traveling with Lap children under the age of two can avoid the ticket counter line or the process of adding Lap Child Southwest online using the website. They can add their lap child to their reservation from a self-service kiosk. Moreover, there is no requirement to show age-related proofs, except for the child’s birth certificate or passport, if an agent requests it at any point while traveling. 

Using the following steps will help you learn how to add an infant to an existing Southwest reservation. 

• Step 1 - Start the process by bringing up your reservation at the airport kiosk. 
• Step 2 - Acknowledge several declarations shown on the screen.
• Step 3 - On the next screen, check the box to add your lap child.
• Step 4 - Click the “Next” option.
• Step 5 - Add the child’s name, gender, and date of birth. Tap “Next”
• Step 6 - Read and acknowledge the Policy for Infants on Lap Southwest on the screen by tapping the “Acknowledge” option.
• Step 7 - Check and confirm the passenger and flight information. 
• Step 8 - Tap on the “Next” option. 
• Step 9 - Follow the prompts to finish the process.

How To Add A Child To My Southwest Rapid Reward Account?

Want to know “how to add a child to my Southwest Rapid Reward Account?” There are many ways a passenger can use to start the Southwest add lap infant process. You can do so online by clicking on the enroll option at the top of the website's homepage, using the Southwest application, and dialing customer support number 1 (800) 435-9792. In the event that the official representatives are not available or unreachable, passengers may dial +1-800-865-1848 and speak to the independent flight attendant at OTA. 

What Is The Southwest Add Lap Infant Fee?

There is no Southwest add lap infant fee for toddlers or infants under 2 years traveling on domestic flights. That means the child rides on their parents’ or guardians’ lap and does not occupy their own seat. However, children traveling on domestic flights need to be documented in the reservation form and will receive a Boarding Verification Document. 

Infants or lap children under the age of 2 traveling on their parent’s lap for international flights can fly for the cost of government taxes and fees corresponding to the guidelines of infant on lap Southwest Airlines. 

How To Fly With Twin Infants In Southwest Airlines Flight?

Most U.S. Airlines, including Delta, United, JetBlue, Frontier, Hawaiian, Sun Country, Southwest, etc, allow up to two babies under the age of two per adult as long as one of the lap infants has a purchased seat. In simple terms, according to the Southwest add lap infant policy, only one lap infant is allowed per adult. Therefore, you will need to purchase a seat for the second baby and bring an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approved car seat for that baby to sit in as well. 

Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy?

According to Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy, the airline allows children ages 5 to 11 to travel alone on domestic flights. However, children ages 12 to 17 traveling alone are considered Young travelers. Unaccompanied minors can not travel to or from international destinations or itineraries with connecting flights. 

When you are ready to book a flight ticket for an unaccompanied minor, here is what you need to do.

1. A passenger needs the following information about the person dropping off the child, the person intending to pick up the child at the destination, and an alternative person available at the destination: 

• Name
• Relationship of the child
• Address
• Phone numbers (including area code)

2. Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied minor fee - When booking a flight for an unaccompanied minor, you will be required to pay the fee for the minor.

How To Prepare An Unaccompanied Minor For Travelling?

Parents or guardians must ensure the following criteria are met to make an unaccompanied minor ready to travel on a flight. 

• Make a few copies of the itinerary.
• Provide the child with complete information about whoever is picking them up.
• Parents or guardians need to download the Southwest app so that you can monitor their flight status.
• Refer to the U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines named “When Kids Fly Alone.”
• Charge the child’s electronic device (smartphone or tablet) before leaving for the airport. In-seat power is not available onboard all of Southwest’s aircraft.

Note:- To book a flight for an unaccompanied minor, you need to fill out the Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Form. As you can see, the details of the parent or guardian dropping off the child and the one picking them up are required. You should also designate a backup to pick up the youngster in case something unexpected happens. 

What Is The Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Fee?

Southwest unaccompanied minor cost is USD 50 each way (USD 100 as a roundtrip). Please note that the unaccompanied minor fee Southwest Airlines is an addition to the airfare per child. For example, if the airfare is USD 120 for an unaccompanied minor roundtrip, the total cost would be USD 220. 

How To Reach A Live Agent For Southwest Add Lap Infant To Reservation?

According to the infant on lap Southwest guidelines, there are different approaches available for passengers that help them talk to the official representative to initiate the process of adding lap infants to reservations. Let’s discuss all the methods one by one.

1 - Talk To The Representative Via Phone Call 

Whether you have a query about adding lap babies online or need assistance on Southwest unaccompanied minor costs, you may dial 1 (800) 435-9792 and speak to the official representative to get immediate help. This number also works as Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor phone number, where you get information regarding unaccompanied minor travel rules and regulations. However, If officials are unavailable, passengers can call +1-800-865-1848 to speak with the OTA independent flight attendant.

2 - Visit Southwest Airlines’ Official Website 

Visiting official website is also helpful when it comes to reaching out to the representative for assistance on different matters

To proceed, you need to open Southwest Airlines' official website and click on the Help Center at the bottom of the page for various assistance options. Choose your query under "What do you need help with?" for detailed information on your topic.

3 - Chat with Southwest Representatives

You can access chat services on Southwest Airlines' website or app. The Bot operates 24/7, while live agents are online from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT daily.

Note: Flying Rules are intended to provide passengers with information regarding airline policies. Therefore, all information presented here is authentic and has been taken from official sources. Nonetheless, as a service provider, we strive to enhance your travel experience, regardless of the airline. Please take note that we at Flying Rules are not liable for the actions of the official airlines and will not be held accountable for them.