Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines, founded in 1967,  is known as the largest low-cost airline in the world in terms of passengers carried. It is also the third largest airline in North America based on passengers flown. Southwest serves as a one-of-a-kind airline which has a rolling hub and point-to-point network. Currently Southwest airline is operating on 121 destinations within the United States and 11 in international routes.

Southwest Airlines Facilities

Southwest Airline is one of the major airlines in America because it offers multiple fare options that allows passengers to choose the fare that suits them best. 

The airline has four fares to get you anywhere you want. The fare types include Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away + , and Wanna Get Away.

Fare Types Details

Business Select

• All tickets in Business Select are refundable. 
• Passengers travelling in Southwest airline flights Business Select can experience priority boarding service by being enlisted in A1-A15. 
• On flights with more than 176 miles, Business Select passengers can enjoy complimentary premium drinks while flying high in the sky. 
• With the newest aircrafts, passengers can enjoy the internet while flying. 
• Business Select passengers can earn 12 Rapid Rewards points per dollar per flight. 
• Passengers can carry two checked bags while travelling. 
• Along with these benefits, passengers can have early bird check-in which allows them to secure the best seat in the aircraft.

Anytime

• All the tickets in Anytime fare are refundable. 
• Passengers travelling in Anytime can get Early-Bird check-in to secure the best seat in the cabin before anyone does. 
• Passengers travelling in Southwest Airlines ticket Anytime fare also allows passengers to have access to Priority and Express Lane for priority service. 
• Anytime passengers can get 10 Rapid Rewards points per dollar per qualifying flight. 
• Along with that, passengers can avail same day change with no added charges.

Wanna Get Away +

• The tickets in this fare type are non-refundable. But the tickets are transferable flight credit if the tickets are cancelled. 
• Wanna Get Away allows passengers to make Same day confirmed changes.
• On every ticket, passengers can earn 8 Rapid points per dollar per qualifying flight. 
• Passengers travelling in Wanna Get Away + can carry two bags free. 
• There is no change fee or cancellation fee as per Southwest Airlines. 
• Another recently added benefit is that passengers can avail free same-day standby. 
•  On every ticket, passengers can earn 8 rapid rewards points per dollar per qualifying flight.

Wanna Get Away

• The tickets in this fare type are non-refundable. But you can receive flight credit as refund if the tickets are cancelled. 
• Passengers travelling in Wanna Get Away can carry two bags free. 
• There is no change fee or cancellation fee. 
• Another recently added benefit is that passengers can avail free same-day standby. 
•  On every ticket, passengers can earn 6 rapid rewards points per dollar per qualifying flight.

Southwest Airlines Baggage Allowance

Southwest Airlines flights offer a generous baggage allowance which enables passengers to travel with plenty of baggage. However, there are certain regulations on baggage allowance for passengers.

Checked Baggage

Each customer is allowed to carry two free checked bags for free. Golf bags and skis and sport equipment are also counted as checked baggage if they are within the prescribed weight limit. All passengers in Southwest are entitled to carry two free checked baggage. The total dimension of the checked baggage should not exceed more than 62 inches while the weight should be less than 50 pounds. Those who want to purchase extra baggage allowance must pay certain extra charges as per Southwest Air baggage allowance.

Baggage Allowance	Baggage Purchase	Overweight baggage	Oversized Baggage
Third Baggage or more baggage	$125 per bag	$100 per bag (51-70 pound), $125 per bag (71 – 100 pound)	$125 (max 80 inches)

Carry On Baggage

Southwest Airlines has a carry-on baggage allowance depending upon the cabin class that the customer has purchased. Passengers travelling in Southwest Airlines may carry one personal bag along with one carry-on bag. The bag should be small enough to comfortably settle in the overhead compartments. Also, as for the personal bag, it should be stowed under the seat in front of you. The total dimension of the carry-on bag should be around 24”+16”+10” (H).

Southwest Airlines Check in

Southwest Airline Check-in policy ensures to provide customers the flexibility to check-in as per their convenience. That’s why this helpful guide strives to offer convenience to every customer who seeks to know the nitty gritties of check-in policy. The Check-in procedure usually begins 24 hours prior to scheduled flight departure. The check-in also closes 1 hour before the scheduled flight takes off. 

Passengers can check-in for Southwest Airlines flights before the actual check-in begins through the early-bird check-in that is available at certain charges.

Early Bird Check-in

The Early Bird Check-in is a facility that allows passengers who wish to complete check-in and select their desired seat in advance. Southwest Early Check-in facility enables the passengers to complete Southwest flight check in at least 36 hours before the actual check-in begins 24 hours before the flight. Usually, there are certain charges applicable on this service ranging from 15 USD to 25 USD.

Online Check-in

Passengers can check-in via the official Southwest Airlines website starting from 24 hours before the scheduled departure. During online check-in passengers can choose their preferred seat. Passengers with early bird facility can check-in 36 hours before the scheduled flight departure to choose the desired seat.

Kiosk Check-in

Southwest Airlines Check-in at the kiosk is extremely easy and takes only a few minutes. Simply, access the kiosk machine and insert your reservation and last name. Follow the Southwest Airlines check-in prompt and submit your baggage at the same time.

Airport Check-in

Passengers can also check-in at the airport. The airline advises the passengers to reach the airport at least 3 hours before the departure of the Southwest Airlines to complete the check in process. Passengers can check their Southwest Airlines flight status to know the exact flight timing.

Southwest Airlines Cancellation and Refund Policy

Southwest Airlines offers a lenient cancellation policy that allows passengers to cancel their flight without any trouble in case of emergencies. There are multiple methods which allow passengers to cancel flights through both online website and mobile app mode. 

• Southwest Airlines offers its passengers 24 hours of free-cancellation period that allows customers to cancel their flight within 24 hours of booking it given that the reservation was made at least 7 days prior to scheduled departure as per Southwest Airlines cancellation policy. 
• As per Southwest refund policy, the refund depends on the ticket type which varies as per refundable or non-refundable. 
• The ticket cancellation fee depends on various factors like booking class, fare selected and time of the request among other factors in cancellation policy. 
• Cancellation requests made through the airline customer support must be cancelled at least five hours before for domestic Southwest Airlines flights and at least eight hours before for international flights.
• Passengers can also call the Southwest Airlines customer service in case of any unresolved queries.  
• As per cancellation policy, the cancellation would affect the initial flight cost as well as additional travel addon like baggage, seat selection and so on.

Southwest Airlines Cancellation Fee

Southwest Airlines cheap flights do not impose any cancellation fee for flight revocation. The airlines allows passengers to change their flight timing and date as per their convenience. Customers only have to pay the fare difference that occurs after changing the flights. Also, passengers travelling in Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away + and Wanna Get Away can change their flight and reschedule it to another time. Passengers only have to pay the fare differences after the rescheduling.

Southwest Airlines Refund Policy

Southwest Airlines ensures to offer flexibility and convenience for its passengers in terms of refund. If a flight has been cancelled or delayed, then the airline offers options to refunds or choose alternate flights to its customer. Customers can contact the airline Southwest Airlines phone number to book alternate flight. 

• As per Southwest Airlines refund policy, any booking made from the airline should be directly cancelled from the Southwest website. Passengers can also request for a refund directly from the website as well. 
• Passengers can receive a full refund if they cancel their flight within 24 hours of confirming it.
• Refunds are usually credited back to the original payment within 7 business days. 
• Non-refundable tickets are not eligible for monetary refund; however, passengers may receive travel credits that are valid for one year from the date of issuance. 
• In case of Anytime and Business Select fare types, passengers can cancel their booking one hour before their flight departure to receive a refund within 7 to 10 business days as per Southwest Airlines cancellation policy, 
• On Wanna Get Away flight, passengers will receive travel credit or gift cards against the ticket.

Frequently Asked Question