Southwest Airlines’ family seating policy says the carrier attempts to place families in adjacent seats, but it also encourages families to choose a fare that permits seat selection at booking. The guidance applies within the airline’s assigned-seating system.

The airline’s support page says Choice fare or higher allows customers to select seats when booking. It also says families can purchase a seat at booking to improve their chances of sitting together. The policy therefore distinguishes between an effort to seat families together and a guaranteed seat choice purchased in advance.

Southwest’s assigned-seating information says the airline moved from open seating to assigned seating on January 27, 2026. Basic fare customers generally receive a seat at check-in, subject to the exceptions and rules listed by the airline. Families using that fare may therefore have less control over the exact seats available to them.

The carrier says passengers with children aged 12 or under who are not assigned next to an accompanying passenger aged 13 or older should speak with a gate agent or flight attendant for assistance. The policy page gives that instruction as part of the current family seating process.