A big but unconfirmed change looks to be in the works at Southwest. It came after the US DOT last summer pleased with US airlines to “do everything in their power” to keep kids 13 and under seated as a family group when flying, and without any extra cost.
The DOT said it would begin reviewing airline policies starting 120 days thereafter. That would make the timing of this change spot on.
While not definitive, something may already be in the works for Southwest Hawaii flights, where family travel is a huge component. This could also be a precursor to the rest of the industry making similar changes as the DOT wants.
Keeping kids from having to sit near strangers is a long-standing airline passenger concern. That’s true during normal flight conditions and even more so in the event of any issues in flight.
A Twitter user and blogger, Leslie, posted yesterday, “Just heard a @SouthwestAir gate agent at @IFlyOAKland clearly announce that family boarding between A and B on my flight is for up to 2 adults and kids under age 13. New policy? Test? In any event, awesome. Of course, it happens when I don’t have my kids but still exciting.”
Sit together with kids on airlines flying to Hawaii.
Here’s where each US airline flying to Hawaii currently stands in this regard.
Alaska Airlines says, book as early as possible and reserve seats together. They do not recommend basic economy tickets for families that want to sit together, and children should be booked on the same reservation as adults.
American Airlines will automatically attempt to put families together the day before a flight. That is when there aren’t pre-assigned seats. If that isn’t possible, the airline tries to seat at least one adult together with the child.
Delta Airlines‘ policy is that it blocks rows when there are groups of three+ passengers on one reservation. They also say that they offer an innovative seat map which provides seating choices for customers traveling with others, including children.
Hawaiian Airlines says it will attempt to seat children with at least one adult family member before arrival at the airport, even for those who have purchased basic economy tickets. That requires that those traveling are on the same reservation.
Southwest Airlines is different because they use an open seating arrangement rather than seat assignments. Passengers choose seats upon boarding. Southwest’s policy has been that up to two adults traveling with children six years old or younger can board during family boarding between the A and B boarding groups. That is what may be changing.
United Airlines says, “If it’s important for your family to sit together, you may want to consider purchasing advance seat assignments, if available, or selecting a different fare option.” That’s not what the DOT had in mind! UAL says that alternatively, they will try to find seats together when those traveling are on the same reservation, but there is no guarantee.
Family boarding trial a big boon For Southwest Hawaii flights.
Just last month, we wrote, “Families traveling on Southwest Hawaii flights, and their ability to sit together, have been an issue. Many of you have commented on it since Southwest began service to the islands. Family travel is synonymous with Hawaii travel, and this is a concern for those families and the U.S. Department of Transportation.”
Southwest has also been testing a new families board first plan. That would allow families with a child six or under to board before the A-group, regardless of their boarding assignment. However, they will be required to take seats after the first 15 rows.
Last month’s article was very widely viewed and has well over 100 fascinating pro and con comments about family boarding.
USDOT Notice on Seating Young Children Adjacent to an Accompanying Adult July 8 2022Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Aloha; Been visiting Hawaii since the 70’s. Never had a problem sitting with my 4 children and my wife on a flight with my preferred legacy airline. Even when seats together aren’t available when I purchase tickets, it has worked out. In the rare case when the computer can’t put us together, the gate agent has provided us with seats together before we board. SWA seems to have a lot of problems that they need to solve. Spending a little money to get an automated seat selection option is a good place to start. Aloha
Try any flight to Florida. Tons of wheelchair preboards and if you are not in the A boarding group, plan on a middle seat because young kids love the window seats. I often pay extra to get in the A 1-15 group when I see lots of kids. Hate to say this but with most airlines, preboards have gone overboard 🙁
Southwest is a budget airline that floods Hawai’i with budget minded tourists who don’t offer greatest return for Hawaiian residents.
Former Maui Mayor, Elmer Cravalho, who put Maui on the map, stated that he’d rather have One tourist with $100 dollars, than 100 tourists with one dollar, to preserve Maui’s beauty and quality of life.
Southwurst budget cattle carrier, floods Hawai’i’s infrastructure with budget minded tourist who strain capacities while Not contributing much to the County or State budgets, not to mention, diminishing Hawai’i’s brand as a prime destination.
Kalani W. Have you ever considered that these “budget minded tourists” might be trying to save money on their flight so they can spend more in Hawaii.
Now if Southwest would control people in wheelchairs boarding with 6 family members. Recent trip there were 30 wheelchairs! Paid for early bird and was seated in row 20!
If you’re bringing your kids to Hawaii and you want to make it a memorable Hawaii experience wouldn’t it make sense to just fly there on Hawaiian?
Their flight would actually be remembered as uniquely Hawaiian and not just another airline flight. Plus you can reserve seats, no cattle call…..
Hawaiian charges extra for aisle & window seats in addition to bags. That can add 100’s of dollars to a family’s travel costs.
Actually HA charges for various levels of preferred seats but not all aisle and window seats are extra. However the point was taking a family trip to Hawaii would make for a more memorable experience on Hawaiian if the goal is take in as much of what Hawaii is all about on their visit. The employees and the ambiance as well as Hawaii themed entertainment make for a more authentic experience. For me, traveling with my children was always about exposing them to different cultures and letting them experience a place that is different from what they are used to. Travel has been an invaluable component to their education.
And when you get there, take your kids for an outrigger canoe ride. I’m 68 years old and still remember my parents taking me when I was 8! (And no, not trying to sell Beach Boy services on here, this is a Hawaii blog and should be about sharing ideas that benefit people coming to Hawaii) Buy local, fly local!
SW thinks that will resolve the issue? If we are
All paying the same price but using child is the ticket out to getting better seats? SW should cater only to families with small children
I hate to rain on the parade, but children don’t belong on an airplane until they’ve reached the age where they are well behaved, as well as occupy their own seat. Does anyone ever think about the passengers who have to endure a squalling infant or spoiled brat that makes the entire five-hour flight a living hell for everyone else in the cabin? Having children is a choice! If you make that choice, accept it that you don’t travel by air until your child is mature enough to not scream, cry, shout, or wander around the cabin making everyone else on board miserable. Parents who won’t forego travel, or else find someone to watch the children while they are away, are rude, selfish, and shouldn’t be allowed to take a child under six on a trip.
I understand what you are saying. I have been on flights with children that couldn’t seem to settle. I have travelled with my own five children from the time they were infants. They all were excellent travelers. They now travel with their own children, and they, too, are excellent travelers. Parents need to pack accordingly for their children, as well as teach them appropriate travel behaviors.
Lately, a larger concern has been the adult disruptive behavior. Much more dangerous, and certainly more annoying. While these folks are assaulting flight attendants, other passengers and possibility causing harm to everyone the courts aren’t handing out stiff enough punishment. I will take the fussy baby over the aggressive adult every time.
Yeah! I agree with under aged children needing to sit next to a family adult on flights … but, when you see older teenaged siblings, four aunties and their boyfriends known as the kid’s “uncles”, grandma and grandpa, the mother’s best girlfriend and her kids … all trying to board under the guise of ‘family seating together’ on a Southwest Flight … this is darn right ‘Crazy’!
I’d say it’s 99% of the time the parents fault for not selecting seats together at the time of booking! Perhaps they can’t do this for last-minute travel (unexpected illness or death in the family). However, with normal advance booking, there are No extra charges for choosing seats on American, United, or Delta, unless one chooses a seat very near the front of the plane, or a seat with extra leg room. So if parents are taking kids, especially during peak seasons (Spring Break, Christmas, or August in Hawaii): think ahead, plan ahead, and book ahead, like the rest of us.
That is not correct
Thank you for this information! I have long avoided Southwest because I hate clamoring for seats. However, I recently read that they’re the only airline that’s preferred in a way for wheelchair users who get pre boarding, because a disabled passenger can actually wheel their own chair right up to the first row (rather than transferring to an awkward and dangerous “aisle chair” that’s the norm). Has anyone seen evidence that this is true, particularly on the Hawaii routes? I have a now completely wheelchair bound child who would love to get back to Hawaii again!
Virgin America used to do this. One time at HNL they announced families with children could start boarding. It was unbelievable how many “children” appeared to be in their upper teens or early 20s….. I think half the plane boarded before those in the “first” groups were allowed to board.
If you want to sit together as a family, choose your seats before you get to the airport (here’s an idea – choose them at booking!) . It’s not rocket science.
The other airlines are going LOVE this because they will be able to rake in more money as families who want to sit together won’t be buying basic economy tickets and / or they’ll be paying for seat assignments.
Yeah! but then Southwest Airlines’ have no bag fees on first two pieces per person. Hell! they are going to pay up big time anyway!