Flying with Children: Best Seat Choices on Southwest Airlines

Flying with children can test the patience of even the most cool-tempered travelers; however, selecting the right seat when flying Southwest Airlines may provide a few extra minutes of peace.

Best Seat for Families on Southwest Airlines

According to travel blogger Katie Holden from Katie’s Travel Tricks, traveling families should aim for row 23 when boarding their next Southwest flight.

Insights from Travel Blogger Katie Holden

In an Instagram post earlier this month, Holden highlighted that this specific row is advantageous for families, as it is close to the restrooms and the first to receive drink service.

“If you don’t think this matters, you don’t have kids. Or maybe your kids are super relaxed,” she noted in her caption.

Based on her experiences, she mentioned that there’s a possibility of encountering an open middle seat on a mostly full flight. Passengers often prefer to occupy middle seats at the front due to a resigned outlook or choose to head to the back to hope for an aisle or window seat.

Specific Recommendations for Different Aircraft

With over 50,000 likes on her informative post, Southwest flight attendants reached out to confirm that if you’re flying on a Boeing 737-800 or MAX 8 aircraft, row 23 is optimal for immediate drink service. Conversely, row 17 is recommended for a Boeing 737-700 due to having fewer rows.

Call for Family-Friendly Seating Policies

The U.S. Department of Transportation has recently urged airlines to cease charging families with children to sit together. Airlines that do not comply may face “additional action consistent with its [the Department’s] authorities.”

Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for iBestTravel, currently based in Brooklyn.