Southwest expands its family boarding policy

Southwest Airlines is famous for its boarding process. With no assigned seats, people are left to fend for themselves on a first-come, first-pick basis. While the seating policy is definitely unusual, it’s actually not so bad for lone travelers or even pairs. 

The airline, however, has been changing up its boarding process to accommodate families. For several years, Southwest has offered family boarding between its A and B boarding groups to avoid children being left to only middle seats. Family boarding was considered to be children six and under. 

Now, however, it appears that the airline is testing an updated policy wherein children are considered ages 13 and under. It’s not clear if these tests are completely random or if they are a fully rolled-out policy, but it is exciting that kids no longer have to sit near strangers, especially in those awkward tween years. 

It’s also unclear what prompted the change but it does seem to line up with the suggestion the Department of Transportation made back in July for airlines to accommodate families and make it easier for them to be seated together at no additional cost.