Southwest Hawaii Leads | USDOT Demands New Family Boarding

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 2022