Flying around the country is nothing new in my book. Going to college out of state meant I flew at least twice a year to go back home, sometimes more. I never had loyalty to a particular airline; whichever was cheapest was the one I chose.
Things have changed a bit since my college days. Bags often no longer fly free, and I’ve added a baby to the items I have to carry on the plane.
I’ve flown three times with our daughter, and I have to say that the most recent, with Southwest Airlines, was by far the most pleasant.
First of all, bags fly free. This meant I could cram everything into a checked bag, rather than lugging it around the airport. I’m happy to lug baggage around if it means saving money, but it was awesome not having to make that decision. The only item I had to carry with me onto the plane besides my baby was the diaper bag. That made life a lot simpler.
Secondly, Southwest Airlines offers free curbside check in. That meant I only had to roll my checked bag about 10 feet from my car to the outdoor check in counter, and then I was free of it.
Third, Southwest Airlines has something called open boarding. No passenger is assigned to a specific seat; each is assigned to a boarding zone. When your zone is called, you get on the plane and sit wherever you like. Since parents with small children get to board before most other passengers, this makes it very easy to sit next to an open seat. I always sat in a window seat and buckled our daughter into the empty middle seat. I was prepared to move her onto my lap if it was the only open seat available and someone needed to sit in it, but that was never necessary.
Lastly, the flight attendants and pilots tell some pretty good jokes. I don’t know about you, but I get stressed out when I’m flying with a baby. Hearing some strange (bordering on inappropriate) jokes during the flight made the time pass quickly.
Like many other airlines, Southwest allows you to check a car seat and stroller for free.
Have you flown with a baby? Which airline is your favorite?