Southwest Infant Policy: The Document Rules Nobody Expects

Lap or a seat of their own

The safest way for a baby to fly is in an approved child restraint in their own seat — the FAA is clear on this, because in turbulence an adult's arms are not a restraint. A lap infant is legal and extremely common, but it is the affordable option rather than the safe one.

On this airline the calculation has an extra wrinkle worth knowing: fares are generally changeable without a change fee, and bags are included on most fare types. That makes buying a seat for the baby less punishing than on carriers where every extra costs separately, and it is worth pricing properly rather than assuming it is out of reach.

Car seats and strollers

• An approved car seat can be used on board where you have bought a seat for the child, provided it carries the label showing aircraft approval.
• Strollers and car seats are carried at no additional charge, checked or gate-checked.
• Gate-check the stroller so it stays with you through the terminal.
• Measure the car seat — a narrow one fits an aircraft seat, a wide one may not.
• Use a padded bag for gate-checked items, which are handled like baggage.

Seating with a baby

• Seats are now assigned on this airline, which changes the old advice about open seating — check the current arrangement when you book.
• Exit rows are not available to a passenger travelling with a lap infant.
• Think about where you want to be. A window seat contains a wriggling baby better than an aisle; an aisle makes it easier to walk a crying one.
• There are no bassinets on this fleet — it is a narrowbody domestic network, so the baby is on your lap or in a car seat.

Baggage for a baby

• A lap infant does not have their own checked allowance, though this airline's included bags on most fares make that less painful than elsewhere.
• A diaper bag is usually permitted in addition — confirm whether it counts against your carry-on.
• Formula, breast milk and baby food are exempt from the usual liquid limits in reasonable quantities. Declare them and expect separate screening.
• Pack more in the cabin bag than seems necessary, including an extra change of clothes for the baby and for you.

Getting through the airport

• Allow far more time than you would alone, and more again because of the BVD step.
• Go to the counter or kiosk first, before security. This is not optional with a lap infant.
• Use the family lane at security where one exists.
• You will carry the baby through the detector while the carrier is scanned.
• Keep milk, formula and food accessible, since they are screened separately.
• Change the baby immediately before boarding, not an hour earlier.
• Do not rely on buying supplies airside.

The flight itself

• Feed on the way up and the way down. Sucking equalises ear pressure — the single most effective thing you can do.
• Do not wake a sleeping baby for descent.
• Dress in layers. Cabins run cold and jet bridges run hot.
• Ask which lavatory has the changing table.
• Board at the time that suits the baby, not the one that suits the bin space, if the bulky items are gate-checked.
• Accept help when it is offered.

What families most often get wrong

• Bringing a photo of the birth certificate rather than paper. The commonest and most avoidable problem on this airline.
• Going straight to the gate and discovering the BVD has to be issued at the counter.
• Not checking the age against the return date.
• Assuming an immunisation record will do as proof of age.
• Booking an exit row and finding a lap infant cannot sit there.
• Packing everything for the baby in checked luggage.
• Not allowing extra time for the counter visit.

Booking a trip around a baby's day

The timetable matters more than parents expect, and it is one of the few things entirely within your control.

• Fly when your baby normally sleeps if you can. A flight that overlaps a long nap is a different experience from one that lands in the middle of the witching hour.
• Morning flights are usually better for younger babies, and they are also the least likely to be delayed.
• Overnight flights work well for some babies and badly for others. If yours sleeps in the car, an overnight has a decent chance; if they only sleep in a cot, it may not.
• Nonstop beats a connection almost every time with an infant. A connection means waking them, repacking, and another take-off and landing with the ear pressure that goes with it.
• If you must connect, leave real margin. A tight transfer that works alone is miserable with a pram, a nappy change and a feed to fit in.
• Avoid the last departure of the day. A cancellation with a baby and no onward flight is the scenario to design out.

Travelling as two adults, or as one

How many pairs of hands you have changes almost every decision on this page.

• Two adults: consider booking a window and an aisle on a three-seat row. If the middle stays empty the baby has space; if it fills, the passenger will usually swap for a window or aisle.
• One adult: an aisle seat is generally worth more than a window, because you will be getting up.
• One adult with two children: remember only one lap infant per adult, so a second infant needs a seat and an approved restraint.
• Whoever is not holding the baby carries everything else. Pack with that division in mind rather than splitting things evenly.
• Agree in advance who does what at security and at boarding. It is a small thing that removes a lot of friction on the day.

How Fond Travels can help

• We tell you exactly which documents to put in your bag — on paper — before you leave for the airport.
• We build the counter visit into your timings, which is the step that makes families late.
• We check the baby's age against every flight date.
• We price the lap option against a purchased seat honestly, which on this airline's fare structure is a closer call than people assume.
• We make sure the infant is on the reservation, in writing, before you travel.
• We answer at any hour, which with a baby in the house is more useful than it sounds.

To plan a trip with a baby, call +1 (323) 800 6001. A travel expert answers any hour.