Travelling with babies is a phenomenon that has many distinct challenges and questions, which may be overwhelming to a parent who has infants or children under the age of two years. Learning the rules and regulations that are given by Southwest Airlines is a key to a hassle free travel. In order to have a stress-free flight, however, we shall take a closer look at all you need to know about travelling with your little ones in the year 2026.
Southwest Infant Policy Overview
The Southwest infant policy permits children who are below the age of two years to be placed on the lap of a parent at no extra seat fare or in a purchased child restraint system (CRS/car seat).
Key Points:
- Babies below the age of 14 days are normally not allowed to fly unless their doctor issues a medical release (which is a standard practice of the airline companies).
- Between 14 days and the 2 nd birthday of the child ( 2 years ), the infant can be transported as a lap infant or in a separate seat.
- The maximum number of lap infants each adult person (12years and above) is allowed to carry is one, except in case of more than two infants, where the second infant is expected to be carried in a bought seat.
- Southwest allows a free option of carrying strollers and car seats in addition to normal baggage.
Southwest Flying with Infant: Age Rules
Before booking it is important to understand the age eligibility:
- Infants Under 14 Days: Nobody (Southwest and the majority of airlines) will take infants who are not 14 days old unless you get a written release by a physician stating that the infant is fit to fly.
- Infants 14 Days to 2 Years: Babies aged 14 days to 2 years on the date of travel are able to:
- Fly as a lap child (no charge on domestic flights, taxes/ fees on international flights)
- Or fly in a bought seat on an FAA-approved CRS (highly recommended in terms of safety and comfort).
- Age Verification: To verify the eligibility of lap travel, Southwest employees might request age verification (e.g., birth certificate or passport).
Southwest Flying With Infant - Ticket and Fare Rules
Lap Infant (No Seat Purchased)
- The Southwest flying with infant is free to be carried on the lap of an adult with no fees charged on domestic flights.
- Infants who are on lap are free although they will be required to pay the applicable government taxes/ fees on the international component of the travel.
- Boring a child Lap infants are issued a boarding verification document (BVD) (often referred to as Lap Child Verification) instead of a ticket, issued at check-in or at a kiosk.
- When flying lap, the babies are not assigned a separate flight ticket number online.
Tip: When booking (or at the airport), you have to add the infant to your reservation to get the boarding verification document issued by the agent.
Purchased Seat for Infant
- In case you want safety and space (when flying long distances), you can purchase the infant a paid seat.
- As a part of the booking process, you should enter the age of the infant (1 in the booking system) in order to book the ticket.
- In the event that the baby will be 2 years old during your trip, you will have to pay for a ticket in sections where the age exceeds 2.
Purchased Seat for Infant - Benefits & Considerations
There are benefits to reserving a special seat to your baby:
- Greater safety: The FAA does not recommend holding an infant on the lap but rather has an FAA-approved CRS because turbulence may harm the infant.
- More comfortable: An independent seat allows a carrier or passenger, particularly on a long flight.
- Baggage allowance: Infants with tickets have the same checked baggage allowance as other passengers.
- Seat assignment: You would have the option to select better seating positions (e.g., window seats to install car seats).
- Basinets/SkyCots: It is possible that certain SWA long-haul flights can also include bassinets/Skylots on bulkhead rows, though only a few, and only by request.
Southwest Traveling With Infant - Seating Rules
Where Infants Can Sit:
- Lap babies are placed on the lap of the parent to take off, land, and taxi.
- Purchased a seat travel using a CRS/approved car seat securely installed as per the safety regulations.
- In case your CRS is correctly approved and mounted, the Southwest staff will support you when boarding in case of necessity.
Seat Restrictions:
- Due to safety concerns, infants on lap are not allowed to sit on exit rows.
- In case you have bought a seat, certain airlines (and the FAA) suggest installing QR-approved child seats in the window seats, which should be checked with Southwest.
How to Book Lap Infant Ticket on Southwest Online?
In most cases Southwest traveling with infant does not have a separate online option to include a lap infant at the time of booking on the airline, but this is how it can be done:
Steps to Add a Lap Infant
- Initiate flight reservation on Southwest.com or the application.
- Select on the passenger screen, Add Infant on Lap, when there is the option.
- Note: You will not see the option on the Internet; however, you do not need to be afraid of it, as you can add it at a later point.
- Complete your reservation.
- In case there is a need, either call Southwest Customer Care or add the infant at a self-service kiosk/ticket counter prior to departure.
Numerous passengers reserve the adult fares initially and add the lap baby at the airport kiosk or counter - this is a standard practice in the domestic market within the U.S.
Southwest Airlines Stroller Policy
The Southwest Airlines stroller policy provides a lot of accommodations with baby equipment:
- Ticketed customers are allowed to bring a stroller and a child restraint system (car seat/CRS) at no cost each.
- Strollers and car seats may be left at checkpoints, at the ticket booth, or at the gate prior to boarding the flight.
- Southwest does not accept the losses on the strollers/CRS, which is why the protective travel bag is suggested.
Tips for Strollers:
- Check on the gate so that you can use the stroller in the airport and hand it over to agents before boarding.
- A travel bag is necessary in case of weak or expensive strollers.
- Huge non-folding strollers can also be included in the checked luggage based on the airline's regulations on the number of passengers, and therefore it is advisable to enquire with the agent in case of doubt.
Southwest Car Seat Policy
Child safety and the use of child seats on planes are critical for infants travelling.
Approved Car Seats
- As per the Southwest car seat policy, install child restraint systems (CRS), which are approved by the FAA, in the airplane seat.
- In the case of U.S. made CRSs, they are to be certified to be used in aircrafts and motor vehicles.
- The foreign car seats should have the same safety standards and should be given appropriate approvals.
- Installation instructions should always be followed.
Installation Requirements
- Install the CRS in a window seat (where possible) (assists in case of emergency evacuation).
- Make sure that it does not obstruct exits and aisles.
- CRS in exit rows is prohibited by Southwest or FAA regulations.
Note: a CRS is not an absolute necessity in case the baby is on your knees, although the FAA highly recommends it as a safety measure.
Baggage Allowance for Infants
Infants are permitted to carry a certain amount of baggage that depends on their age and weight (airline companies have established age-weight restrictions).
Lap Infants (No Ticket)
- Free baggage allowance for lap infants is not granted automatically.
- It is also possible to transport a single stroller and a single car seat free during a ticketed trip.
- Breast pumps, diaper bag,s and food/bottle bags are subject to TSA and airline carry-on regulations (considered below).
Ticketed Infants (Paid Seat)
- Infants are assigned the same baggage allowance as any other passenger with Southwest (2 free checked bags with a maximum of 50 lbs each).
- This is in addition to the stroller and CRS allowances.
Security Screening With Infants
Passing through TSA security with an infant:
- The quantity of items that can be carried in diaper bags and breast milk/formula exceeding 3.4 oz can be registered and screened separately.
- Strollers and CRS can be searched but allowed.
- Infants should be scanned as usual when they are carried by their parents, and they are required to carry additional equipment.
Tip: Come early when the babies are with them, since security checks might take a little bit more time than normal.
In-Flight Comfort When Flying Southwest With Infant
Carrying a baby on an airplane is also not as difficult as it may seem:
Comfort & Safety Tips
- Snacks, formula, pacifiers, etc., to use in case of take-off/ landings (balances pressure).
- Lay up your baby in easy clothes because the cabin changes its temperature.
- Prepare an extra change of clothes to your infant and you - accidents come at no end!
- Carry your favorite toys/books to pass the time when waiting.
Seating Tips
- Reserve aisle and window seats so that there is easy movement and parent breaks.
- When traveling by yourself, the aisle seats may assist in movement, and the window may assist in minimizing disturbance - select depending on how you handle the infant.
Entertainment
- Southwest provides onboard Wi-Fi and streaming services; carry older-child content, where available.
International Travel With an Infant on Southwest
In the case of international flights (e.g., to Mexico/Caribbean/Canada):
- The lap babies continue to be carried on the lap of an adult, although you will have to pay the relevant government taxes/fees on the baby fee.
- In order to travel abroad, the infant has to have a passport (there are no exceptions).
- Certain nations can impose extra entry conditions (visas, parental consent documents, and so on) , see destination regulations.
- Bassinets/ SkyCots (where possible) must be ordered ahead (contact Southwest).
Why Families Prefer Southwest for Infant Travel
Families with infants also prefer to use Southwest Airlines because it has family-friendly policies and is also convenient to use. The airline is focused on comfort and accessibility that will make the journey of parents and their little ones on the airline easier.
- Lap Infant Policy: Cost-Effective: Lap infants are free in the domestic flights (taxes/fees are only payable in the country of immigration), allowing the family to save on the travel expenses.
- Generous Gear Allowance: Complimentary checking of one stroller and a car seat will also aid families to save baggage charges imposed by other airlines.
- Flexible Ticketing: The open seating of Southwest and the absence of a change fee (on most types of fares) give parents a larger range of options on how to change plans and not be penalized.
- Family Boarding Option: Southwest will also sometimes have priority boarding of families, so you can get settled before the cabin is full - a big plus during a trip with small kids.
- Friendly Customer Service: Many parents like that Southwest employees are helpful with infant-related equipment and boarding processes (service varies depending on airport and agent).
Conclusion
In the case of travel with an infant, Southwest Airlines' policies could be easily comprehended and result in a better journey. It is important to keep in mind that children younger than 14 days old must have a medical release, and no more than one lap infant per adult. To be extra safe and comfortable, buy a seat to your child. Make sure to verify the stroller and car seat policy and prepare the required age verification documents. These rules will help you to have a relaxing vacation with your infant.
