Do young travelers get to board early?

[anie679]

I checked in my son and he got B34, does anyone know if young travelers get to board early?

[TheMiddleSeat]

Depends on your definition of young. Here's Southwest's policy regarding family boarding:

An adult traveling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the “A” group has boarded and before the “B” group begins boarding. If the child and the adult are both holding an “A” boarding pass, they should board in their assigned boarding position.

If he's older than 6 he would need to board in his assigned position. If traveling as a group, no one from the group can board earlier than their assigned position, but they can go backwards and board in a higher/worse position.

Lastly, you may be able to upgrade your boarding position for a fee at the gate, if any spots A1-15 are available.

If you have more questions, please provide more information about age and who else is traveling.

--TheMiddleSeat

[DancingDavidE]

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@anie679 wrote:

I checked in my son and he got B34, does anyone know if young travelers get to board early?

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If you meant the "young travelers" i.e. teenagers traveling without an adult present, he will board at B34 as scheduled.

Actually as @chgoflyer mentioned, with or without an adult use position as scheduled for teenagers. 

There is a different "Unaccomanied Minors" program that provides airport guidance and boarding assistance, but this is only available for children 5-11 and under not traveling with an adult, for an additional fee. 

If he's a skinny young traveler then great - he'll fit in a middle seat no problem. There could still be aisles and windows available to the rear of the plane at B34 also, that's not a horrible position, especially on a 737-800, even better if the flight number originates at his airport.

[chgoflyer]

@DancingDavidE I think you meant TheMiddleSeat? 😉

"Young Traveler" is just the name Southwest gives to children ages 12-17 traveling without an accompanying passenger age 18 or older. It doesn't really come with any extra services (or fees), but you should be able to get an escort pass when dropping off and picking up the child. 

[DancingDavidE]

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@chgoflyer wrote:

@DancingDavidE I think you meant TheMiddleSeat? 😉

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Whoops! That's correct, not sure where I transposed a whole username in my brain.