Airlines

Southwest Airlines

By Sarah Miller

Posted on April 28, 2025

Overview

Southwest Airlines has revolutionized air travel in the United States with its focus on low fares, simple policies, and a customer-friendly attitude. Since its first flight in 1971, Southwest has grown into one of America’s largest domestic airlines, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and known for innovations like two free checked bags (traditionally) and no change fees.

Need booking assistance? Call Southwest Airlines Customer Service at 1-833-611-4439.

Popular Destinations

Southwest connects travelers across the United States and to select international destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Top U.S. Focus Cities:

Denver (DEN)
Baltimore (BWI)
Dallas Love Field (DAL)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Chicago Midway (MDW)

Popular International Routes:

Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
San José, Costa Rica (SJO)
Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ)
Nassau, Bahamas (NAS)

Southwest’s point-to-point model means fewer connections and more direct flights!

Fleet Overview

Southwest flies a simplified, modern fleet of Boeing 737s:

Boeing 737-700: Shorter routes and lower-demand markets
Boeing 737-800: Longer, higher-demand routes
Boeing 737 MAX 8: Newest aircraft offering better fuel efficiency, updated interiors, and extra Wi-Fi capabilities

By 2026, Southwest plans to operate one of the most environmentally efficient fleets with over 500 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Cabin Classes and Seating

Southwest operates an all-economy cabin — every passenger gets the same service:

Open Seating Policy (changing soon): No assigned seats; choose your seat when boarding
EarlyBird Check-In®: Get earlier boarding automatically
Extra Legroom Seats: Launching in 2025 on select aircraft, providing 5 additional inches of legroom
Assigned Seating: Southwest plans to shift to assigned seats by early 2026

Want the best boarding group? Add EarlyBird Check-In® or call 1-833-611-4439.

In-Flight Services and Entertainment

Enjoy free and affordable services onboard:

Free Movies and TV Shows: Stream to your device via Southwest’s Wi-Fi portal
Free Messaging: Use WhatsApp and iMessage without paying for Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi: Available for $8 per flight
New Aircraft Amenities: MAX 8 aircraft featuring USB outlets and better connectivity

Southwest keeps inflight entertainment simple and passenger-focused.

Dining and Beverage Options

Free Snacks: Pretzels, crackers, and cookies depending on flight length
Complimentary Drinks: Soft drinks, coffee, juice, and water
Alcoholic Beverages: Available for purchase; beer, wine, and cocktails typically range from $7 to $9

Simple, efficient, and complimentary snack service on every flight!

Baggage Policy

Southwest is famous for historically offering two free checked bags, but updates are coming.

As of May 28, 2025:

A-List Preferred Members: 2 free checked bags
Business Select Fare Passengers: 2 free checked bags
A-List Members and Credit Card Holders: 1 free checked bag
All Other Passengers: Checked bag fees will apply (final pricing pending)

Carry-on rules remain consistent:

1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item free

Want to maximize baggage benefits? Call 1-833-611-4439 before booking.

Rapid Rewards Loyalty Program

Fly often? Earn rewards fast with Rapid Rewards®:

Key Features:

Points never expire (with activity)
No blackout dates
Earn points on flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and shopping

Membership Tiers:

Member: Base tier
A-List: Priority boarding, check-in perks, and 25% bonus points
A-List Preferred: 100% bonus points and free Wi-Fi

Pro tip: Use a Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Credit Card to earn even faster!

Need help enrolling or checking your account? Call 1-833-611-4439.

Latest News and Announcements

Extra Legroom Seating: Rolling out May 2025 with more comfort at no extra cost initially.
Assigned Seating Policy: Open seating ending — assigned seating coming early 2026.
New Fare Categories: Basic Economy introduction planned in late 2025.
Operational Focus: Southwest is optimizing routes and adjusting capacity amid evolving travel demand.

Southwest is modernizing while retaining its low-fare, flexible travel roots!

Booking Process

Booking with Southwest is transparent and easy:

Visit www.southwest.com
Choose your trip dates and cities
Pick your fare class: Wanna Get Away®, Wanna Get Away Plus™, Anytime®, or Business Select®
Add extras like EarlyBird Check-In® or Upgraded Boarding
Pay securely online

Prefer live help booking? Call 1-833-611-4439 for quick, personalized assistance.

Travel Flexibility and Refund Policies

Travel stress-free with Southwest’s legendary flexibility:

No Change Fees: Reschedule flights easily (fare difference applies if necessary)
24-Hour Cancellation Policy: Full refund within 24 hours of booking
Transferable Flight Credits: With Wanna Get Away Plus™ and Anytime® fares

Planning changes? Let 1-833-611-4439 help with rebooking or refund support.

FAQs

1. How do I contact Southwest Airlines?
Simply call 1-833-611-4439.

2. When will assigned seating start?
Assigned seating is expected to fully roll out by early 2026.

3. Are free checked bags still offered?
Limited — mostly for Business Select, A-List Preferred, and credit card holders starting May 2025.

4. Can I upgrade my boarding group?
Yes — purchase Upgraded Boarding at the gate if available.

5. Does Southwest have Wi-Fi?
Yes — Wi-Fi is available for $8 per flight.

6. What are Rapid Rewards points worth?
Typically 1.2–1.5 cents per point toward flights.

7. Can I book international flights with Rapid Rewards points?
Yes — points can be redeemed for U.S., Mexico, Caribbean, and Central American routes.

8. How can I earn A-List status?
Fly 25 one-way flights or earn 35,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year.

9. Does Southwest allow pets onboard?
Yes — small cats and dogs are welcome in the cabin (fees apply).

10. What’s included with EarlyBird Check-In®?
EarlyBird Check-In® automatically checks you in and improves your boarding position.

Additional Travel Services

Enhance your travel experience:

Southwest Hotels and Vacations: Book hotels or bundles and earn Rapid Rewards points
Southwest Car Rentals: Partner deals with bonus points
Group Travel: Special rates and discounts for groups of 10 or more
Gift Cards: Perfect for travelers!

For extra services or group travel quotes, call 1-833-611-4439.