Southwest Airlines Infant Policy

Southwest Airlines is one of the significant names in the aviation industry and continually expands by serving passengers with unbeatable facilities. Regarding carrying infants, the “Southwest add lap infant” guideline helps you understand how to book a ticket for a lap infant on Southwest international and domestic flights and in the existing reservations. 

Southwest Airlines Infant Policy - Terms & Conditions

To carry your baby in Southwest Airlines, make sure you have complete knowledge about the terms and conditions corresponding to the Southwest Airlines infant policy.

• Children over 14 days and under 2 years of age may be carried as lap infants when traveling with an adult of 12 years of age or older. There is no need to occupy a seat. 
• One adult is permitted to travel with one lap child.
• The boarding pass is not required for the lap infant. Instead, you will require a Boarding Verification Document, which can be accessed after you check in online via the app. Also, you may print this document at the airport on the day of travel via the self-service Kiosk or the ticket counter. 
• For domestic travel, a lap infant may be carried free of charge.
• For international travel, applicable government-imposed taxes and fees are a must to pay.
• During the journey, be handy with all the supporting documents, as you may be asked for the age verification of the infant at any point. 

Southwest Airlines Stroller Policy

Under the Southwest Airlines Stroller Policy, each ticketed customer can check one stroller and one car seat/child restraint system along with the standard two free checked bags. Please note that strollers and child restraint systems are transported only with a limited release of liability. The one-time charge for a car seat or stroller bag is 17 USD per bag.

Southwest Car Seats & Child Restraint Systems Rules For Infants

To travel with your infant or toddler on Southwest Airlines, it is recommended that you acquire appropriate knowledge of how to use a child restraint system that enhances your child’s safety onboard. FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) strongly suggests that infants and children who weigh 40 pounds or less be secured in an appropriate child restraint system when traveling by air. 

US-made CRS after Feb 26, 1985, must have the following labels - 

1. This CRS is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.
2. This CRS conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.

A CRS (Child restraint system) manufactured outside the United States must have the following labels: 

1. Has the approval of a foreign government.
2. It was manufactured under the UN standard.

Key Considerations For Passengers Who Are Nursing Or Wish To Breastfeed Their Infants

For passengers traveling with toddlers or lap infants who are nursing or want to breastfeed while boarding, the guidelines to add lap infant to Southwest flights allow nursing customers to breastfeed onboard or within the gate area. 

It is permissible to carry on a breast pump and milk in addition to the standard carryon limit of one bag and a tiny, personal item. Throughout the journey, passengers may be asked about the nature of their additional carry-on bags. 

Documents Requirements To Carry An Infant In Southwest Airlines

Before initiating the process to add lap infant to Southwest flight, getting an insight about the necessary documents to carry is mandatory. To travel with an infant, Southwest Airlines requires original or photocopies of government-issued photo IDs like passports, birth certificates, etc, which are the only acceptable forms of identification as proof of age. Please note that electronic shots and phone images are unacceptable proof of identification. 

Southwest Airlines Child Baggage Allowance Policy

According to the Southwest Airlines infant/child baggage allowance policy, there are different terms and conditions for carrying on and checking baggage for infants and children. Look at the items allowed to carry when traveling with a child or as checked items. 

Carryon Baggage

If you bought a ticket for your child, an FAA-approved child restraint system or car seat can be carried, and it will be used during the flight and will not count toward your carryon limit. 

Checked Baggage

When traveling with a child or children, each ticketed customer may check one stroller, one car seat, or child restraint system along with the standard two free checked bags per person (weight and size limits apply). Additionally, it is allowed to check the stroller and child restraint system at the curb where curbside check-in is available, at the gate, or at the ticket counter. Folding cribs and "pack and play" are regular bags counted within the two free checked bags limit.

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

Follow the online booking instructions below to add a lap infant to your Southwest reservation for international or domestic routes. 

Step 1 - Open the official Southwest Airlines website.

Step 2 - Select your city pairs (Departure and Destination) and travel dates.

Step 3 - In the “Passengers” field, indicate the total number of seats needed by selecting the total number of adults and lap children.

Step 4 - Proceed with the “Select Flight” and Trip and Price Details page. 

Step 5 - Fill in the details of each passenger in the “Who’s flying” name fields. (If multiple adults and lap children travel, use the drop-down option next to the Lap child’s information to confirm the lap child with an adult passenger. 

How Do I Add A Lap Infant On Southwest Online?

To add Lap Child Southwest online, passengers need to use the official Southwest Airlines website and follow the instructions provided. Open the Southwest Airlines website → Select your departure and destination cities and dates of trip → In the “passengers” field, choose the number of adults and lap infants → Select your flight → proceed with the trip and price details page → Complete the “Who’s flying” field by entering the details of each passenger including lap child. 

Note - Use the drop-down option next to the lap infant’s information and confirm their arrangement with an adult passenger. 

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

Follow the step below to book a ticket for a lap infant on Southwest using the self-service Kiosk under the Southwest Airlines add lap infant guidelines. 

Step 1 - Navigate to the self-service kiosk machine at the airport.

Step 2 - Next, the passenger and a lap child must check-in.

Step 3 - Add your lap infant to the reservation.

Step 4 - Enter a lap child’s name, gender, or DOB. 

Step 5 - Now, you may print your Boarding Verification Document. BVDs are also available after check-in online via the website and mobile app.  

Note - For Southwest Airlines add lap infant process via self-service Kiosk machine at the airport. Only domestic flight bookings are possible. For international lap infant booking, you cannot use the kiosk method. 

Is It Allowed To Reserve Bassinet On Southwest?

Southwest Airlines does not offer bassinets for lap infants on domestic or international flights. Also, carrying any kind of toys or amenities is prohibited. Instead, under the “Southwest add lap infant” guidelines, the airline offers inflight-free movies streamed for your device. Please note that you must use headphones to listen to this sound. 

Terms And Conditions Of Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy

According to the Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied minor policy, children ages five to 11 can travel without an accompanying passenger age 12 or older. They are called unaccompanied minors. 

• Unaccompanied minors are not monitored constantly throughout the flight duration. Only unaccompanied minors with sufficient maturity and limited adult supervision may travel. 
• There is an Unaccompanied minor fee Southwest Airlines in addition to the airfare per child.
• Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied minor fee are refundable. For instance, if an unaccompanied minor doesn’t want to travel and cancels their flight, and if the flight is canceled and chooses not to rebook, fees are refundable. 
• While booking a flight ticket for an unaccompanied minor, make sure you fill in all the details carefully to facilitate the transfer of the child traveling alone between designated parties. 
• Unaccompanied minors are allowed to travel on non-stop or on the same plane service. 
• Unaccompanied minor service is not provided to/from international destinations. 
• A parent or guardian checking in or picking up a child traveling alone needs to obtain a gate pass from the ticket counter to pass through the security check. 

Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Fee

Children ages 5 to 11 years can travel as unaccompanied minors on Southwest Flights.  As for the unaccompanied minor fee Southwest Airlines, the airline charges $100 one-way per unaccompanied minor (5-11 years old). 

What Is The Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Phone Number?

Passengers with any kind of concern regarding Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor services may dial 1 (800) 435-9792 and speak to the live representative and get assistance. However, the waiting period to reach out to the official executives sometimes may be longer than expected. In that case, you may opt to +1-800-633-0441 and talk to the independent flight experts at OTA and get your queries resolved immediately.

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

Yes, you can add a baby to your existing Southwest ticket using different approaches. The official website, using the ticket counter line, and visiting the self-service kiosk at the airport are some ways passengers may add Lap Child Southwest online or offline. 

How To Add Child To Your Existing Southwest Flight Ticket?

Passengers who dislike standing in long customer service or ticket counter lines and do not have sufficient knowledge of using the official website for the Southwest add lap infant process may use the self-service Kiosk at the airport. To learn how to proceed with the Kiosk to add Lap Child Southwest online, follow the instructions below - 

Step 1 - Bring up your booking at the self-service KIosk at the airport.

Step 2 - Acknowledge all the declarations shown on the Kiosk screen.

Step 3 - On the next page, check the box to add infant to existing Southwest flight reservation. 

Step 4 - Tap on the next button.

Step 5 - Add your child’s details like name, gender, DOB, etc.

Step 6 - Read Southwest Airlines add lap infant guidelines carefully and acknowledge them. 

Step 7 - Check and confirm the changes.

Step 8 - Tap on the “Next” button and finish the process. 

How Can I Add A Child To Southwest Rapid Reward Account?

There are various ways to learn how to add a child to Southwest Rapid Reward Account. You can use the official Southwest Airlines website by clicking on the enroll option on the website’s homepage. Using the Southwest Airlines application and dialing their customer support number, 1 (800) 435-9792, is also helpful. However, if contacting the official executives gets complicated due to technical issues, you may contact independent flight experts at +1-800-633-0441 and get immediate assistance with your query. 

How Can I Fly With Twin Infants In Southwest Airlines Flight? 

Southwest Airlines allows passengers to fly with twins under the age of two per adult. However, in this case, while one lap infant can sit on the passenger’s lap, another child needs to have a purchased seat. According to the guidelines to carry your baby in Southwest Airlines, only one lap child is permitted per adult. 

How To Speak With Live Agents To Add Lap Infant To Southwest Flight?

Whether you need to know how the process for Southwest add lap infant, add twin babies Southwest Airlines after booking, or need guidance regarding the required documents or fees, there are two of the most straightforward and most useful approaches that help you talk to the live representatives and get assistance immediately. 

1 - Dial Southwest Airlines Phone Number 

Whether you are concerned about how to add baby to your existing Southwest ticket, or how to initiate the process to add a lap infant to your Southwest reservation from scratch, dialing the customer support number of Southwest Airlines 1 (800) 435-9792 is helpful. However, if you find it complicated to reach official executives, you may opt to dial +1-800-633-0441 and speak to flight experts at OTA for instant assistance. 

2 - Visit Southwest’s Official Website 

Visiting Southwest Airlines is also helpful when it comes to contacting the representative on different queries, including the process to add lap child to existing Southwest ticket, required documents for infant booking, fees, etc. 

To learn how to reach out to the official executives through the website, follow the instructions. Open the official Southwest Airlines website → Help Center → To get comprehensive information on your issue, select your question under "What do you need help with?"