Traveling with a Baby from Love Field to San Antonio...need Advice

Melissa gave some great advice. I would only add...regarding boarding with the "A" group, book your ticket(s) online, and be sure to checkin online 24 hrs before your flight departure time (same goes for your return). This will pretty much ensure your getting an "A" boarding pass. You can checkin at www.southwest.com and select the "Checkin Online" option.

Also, southwest.com has some great info for those traveling with children. Here are a couple of links:

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/taking_the_kids_in...

Traveling at this age is soooo easy!!! You don't have to buy a ticket. He can easily sit (or nap) on your lap. If the flight isn't sold out, they would probably let you bring the car seat on board and put it next to you. I never did that personally, but I know people who have. What I usually did was to try and time flights for around his nap time. I'd bring the stroller and car seat to the gate and check them there. It's very easy.

I'd wear my son onboard in a sling and then nurse him. He'd fall asleep for almost the entire flight. He never had ear problems this way. If you nurse, get yourself a window seat. You are allowed by law to nurse so if anyone gives you grief (which they never did in my case), be aware that it is your legal right. Otherwise, take a bottle and have him nurse on teh way up and on the way down to avoid ear problems. You get an extra carry on with an infant so you should be ok.

With SWA, you can now check in and print your boarding pass online starting 24 hours before your departure. I highly recommend you do this. SWA has done away with preboarding for families. If you have a number greater than 30, you can board after the first boarding group.

You do not need to purchase a separate ticket for children under the age of 2. However, if his age is questionable they will require you to present a birth certificate. If you want to use the carseat you WILL need to purchase a ticket for that seat. Many times Southwest will allow you to use the carseat if the plane is not going to be full. You can take your stoller and carseat all the way up to the jetway and the Ops Agent will tag it with a "claim at gate" tag. That way when you arrive in San Antonio they will bring it up for you right when you get off of the plane. I don't know if you are familiar with the "family boarding" process. Southwest has recently changed their boarding procedure. "Pre-boarding" has now been specified to those with "special needs" and require assistance down the jetway and minors under the age of 12 traveling alone. Those families with children 4 and under now board after the "A" group and before the "B" group. If you have an "A" boarding card then you of course would board WITH the "A" group.
You are allowed 1 carryon bag and 1 personal item per person. Don't forget about liquids. Babies are allowed one milk bottle but it will have to go through screening separately otherwise you will have your bag riffled through by the TSA. They unfortunately do not have the same "Customer Service" that Southwest has.
Hope I haven't given you too much unwanted info. I have been through this with my five kids since my 16 yr old was 3. And a frequent SW flier.
Any other questions don't hesitate to send a PM.
M.

Hello,
I had both my kids on planes before they were 1 month old. Most airlines have kids under 2 listed as a lap child and you do not need to pay if you hold your child. If the plane is not full, you can use a window seat for the car seat and still not have to pay. You can take your stroller with you through security and it is gate checked (same with a base if you bring with you). You will not have to spend extra gate checking these items. You can still have your normal 1 regular carry on and 1 personal item. I would recommend just a diaper bag and putting your items like wallet, keys, cell, etc in there. Just a warning, do not pack any liquids or pastes (like diaper rash creme) they will make you throw it away. Put 3 oz items or less in your plastic bag if you require. If you child is on formula, just pack the powder, buy a water bottle once you get through security. Feed your son on take off and hopefully he will sleep on the way. Luckily, San Antonio isn't too far. Good Luck!

I have flown many times with my boys when they were infants. Do not purchase a seat as you would probably be holding him most of the time anyway especially since it is a short flight. Make sure you feed him on the way up and the way down so his ears can adjust and he won't cry in pain. This has ALWAYS worked for my boys and people always compliment them on their good behavior during the flight. You can check your stroller and carrier at the gate during boarding. They will have it for you as you deplane right on the jet walk, but you may have to wait an extra minute for them to bring it up. You should be able to secure your infant carrier without the base by securing the carrier to the seat with the seatbelt. Check your manual to see for sure or instructions may be printed on the carrier itself. Carry on a duffel bag that you can fit under your stroller and maybe a backpack so you have your hands free to manage your baby. Baby Bjorns are good to use also, but you have to run it through the XRAY at security so you won't find it useful until you get through that. If you are nursing, a "Bebe au lait", or "Hooter Hider" works great to keep you covered when nursing on the plane and it allows you to visualize your baby while they nurse. Hope this helps!