Southwest Airlines is one of the largest and most popular low-cost airlines in the United States. So, if you are looking to travel to the next destination on a budget then Southwest Airlines is your perfect travel partner. The best part is that you can travel to more than 120 destinations including international and domestic with this airline. Read on to know more about the Southwest Airlines policies to travel freely at low-cost. Start planning your next journey with Experian Airfare and take advantage of their special benefits. Enjoy free checked bags, discounted fares, and more when you book directly with Southwest. Get started now for a smooth and convenient travel experience.
How To Book Southwest Flights with Ease
If you are planning to travel with Southwest Airlines then here are majorly two ways through which you can book your Southwest Airlines flights smoothly with ExperianAirfare-
Online Booking via ExperianAirfare:
- Start by opening the ExperianAirfare website.
- On the homepage you will find a search bar. Enter your departure and destination cities, travel dates, and the number of passengers. You can also specify whether you want a one-way or round-trip ticket.
- After you click "Search," you will see a list of available flights from various airlines. To find Southwest flights, use the filters on the left side of the page.
- You can filter by airline, so select "Southwest Airlines" to see only their flights. You can also filter by other preferences, such as nonstop flights or specific departure times.
- Review the list of Southwest flights and choose the one that best fits your schedule and budget. Click "Select" to proceed.
- A new page will open with the details of your selected flight, including baggage fees and cancellation policies. Carefully review this information before continuing.
- You will be prompted to enter the full name, date of birth, and contact information for each passenger. Make sure this information is accurate to avoid any issues at the airport.
- You will then be asked to enter your payment information. Once you have entered all the required information, click "Book Now" to complete your purchase.
- After you complete the booking, you will receive an email with your flight details and a confirmation number.
Book Your Flight Through Phone Assistance:
If you prefer to book your Southwest airlines flights with personalized assistance then you can do so by contacting their phone support.
- To book your Southwest flights or for any queries call the dedicated assistance at +1-866-570-0234.
- Once connected, listen carefully to the automated menu options. You will likely need to select an option related to new bookings, reservations, or speaking with a representative.
- When you connect with a representative, state that you wish to book Southwest flights and provide them with all the travel information you gathered before calling, like departure and destination, travel dates, number of passengers, and passenger details.
- They will search for the flights based on your criteria.
- After reviewing the representative will present you with available options and let them know about baggage allowance and fees, seat selection options etc.
- Once you have chosen your preferred flight, the representative will confirm all the details including passenger names, dates and itinerary.
- Provide your payment information and after successful payment you will receive your booking confirmation number sent on email.
Note: Please keep in mind that this is a general guideline based on the typical process for booking Southwest flights. Procedures and contact details can vary, and there might have been updates or changes since my last knowledge update.
Southwest Airlines Manage Booking
Southwest Airlines Manage Booking feature allows passengers to easily view, change, or cancel their flight reservations online or via the mobile app. By accessing the “Manage Reservations” section, travelers can enter their confirmation number and last name to retrieve their booking. Key functions include modifying travel plans, checking in online, printing or emailing boarding passes, upgrading boarding positions, adding Rapid Rewards numbers, and applying travel funds or credits. Southwest is known for its no-change-fee policy, making flight adjustments more flexible for passengers. This user-friendly portal provides complete control over itinerary management, helping ensure a seamless and convenient travel experience.
Southwest Airlines Seat Selection Policy
- Southwest currently operates an open seating policy with no assigned seats
- Passengers choose any available seat when boarding the aircraft
- Seating is based on boarding position rather than pre-assigned seats
- Three boarding groups: A, B, and C, with each group having 60 positions (1-60)
- Boarding position assigned based on check-in time, with earlier check-in resulting in better positions
- Group A boards first, followed by Group B, then Group C
- Prepaid Available for passengers with disabilities who need specific seats or assistance. Includes wheelchair users, passengers needing extra time, and those with invisible disabilities. No medical documentation required; passengers can self-identify their need.
Seat Upgrade Policy of Southwest Airlines
- Upgraded Boarding allows passengers on Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, and Anytime fares to purchase a guaranteed A1–A15 boarding position starting 24 hours before departure until 30 minutes prior, with fees dynamically priced per segment (from about $30, higher on popular/longer flights) and non-refundable unless Southwest cancels the flight.
- Business Select fares include complimentary A1–A15 boarding, automatic check-in, two free checked bags, priority security where available, premium beverages, and 12 Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent, with the full fare difference paid at booking.
- Rapid Rewards Priority and Performance Business Cardmembers receive four annual Upgraded Boarding credits each (usable per passenger or applied to up to nine reservations when used within 48 hours of departure), enabling free A1–A15 placement subject to availability.
- A-List and A-List Preferred members earn complimentary priority boarding. A-List typically boards in A group (positions vary), while A-List Preferred boards ahead of A-List, both without additional purchase requirements.
- Purchased Upgraded Boarding and EarlyBird fees are non-refundable if you change or cancel voluntarily; Southwest-initiated cancellations result in automatic refunds of upgrade fees.
- Upgrades can be added via southwest.com, the Southwest mobile app, or at the gate/ticket counter (subject to availability) once the check-in window opens 24 hours before your flight.
Southwest Airlines Change Flight policy
- You may change your flight up to 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time without a change fee for Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select fares; only the fare difference (if any) applies.
- Basic fares are not eligible for same-trip changes; passengers must cancel and rebook, receiving a flight credit subject to expiration rules.
- Same-Day Change: On the day of travel, passengers (except Basic fare) may confirm a seat on an earlier or later flight with available space on the same calendar day at no airline charge, paying only fare differences.
- Same-Day Standby: Eligible customers may list for standby on an earlier flight while retaining their original reservation, free of airline charges; government taxes and fees may apply.
- Changes can be made online via southwest.com, the Southwest mobile app, at the ticket counter, or at the gate once the check-in window opens.
- If your new flight costs less than your original, the difference is returned as a transferable flight credit (except Basic fares, which follow six-month credit rules).
- Southwest-initiated schedule changes allow passengers to rebook to another flight up to 14 days before or after the original date at no additional cost and receive refunds or credits if alternatives are unsuitable.
Southwest Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy
- You can cancel any reservation up to 10 minutes before scheduled departure without a cancellation fee; no-showed reservations are forfeited.
- Business Select and Anytime fares are fully refundable to the original form of payment if canceled at least 10 minutes before departure; alternatively, passengers may choose a flight credit.
- Wanna Get Away fares receive a nonrefundable flight credit for the value of the fare (taxes and fees refundable) valid until the original ticket’s expiration (typically six months from purchase for Basic fares, transferable for Plus).
- Wanna Get Away Plus fares yield a transferable flight credit for the full fare value; taxes and fees may be refunded in the form of payment or as credit.
- Basic fares canceled less than six months from ticket issuance incur forfeiture of all funds; credits from Basic cancellations expire six months from original purchase.
- Southwest-initiated cancellations (e.g., irregular operations) entitle passengers to a full refund or rebooking on another flight at no cost; applicable credits retain original expiration dates.
Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy
Here is the following information on the Southwest Airlines baggage allowance which will help you in packing your baggage:
Carry on Baggage:
- Southwest Airlines allows passengers to carry one free carry-on bag and 1 personal item like a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, pillow, blanket, or small camera.
- The size for your carryon bag should not exceed 24" (L) + 16" (W) + 10" (H). Personal items should be kept under your seat easily.
- If you are traveling with a pet then a carrier will be counted as either your personal items or carryon.
Checked Baggage:
- Southwest is one of those airlines that allows you 2 free checked bags which should not weigh more than 50 pounds each bag.
- The size of bags should not exceed 62 inches in size (length + width + height).
Excess or Oversize Baggage:
- If your bag is over the limit or exceeds the size then you will be charged extra fee.
- So, if the bag is more than 80 inches then you will be paying $200 per bag.
- For an overweight bag between 51-70 lbs you will pay $150 per bag and if it's 71-100 lbs then you will be paying $200 per bag.
Southwest Airlines Check-in Information
Southwest allows passengers to check-in online 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure. You can check in through the Southwest website or mobile app. Online check-in is simple and fast and it allows you to select your boarding position which is critical for open seating. The general recommendation is to arrive at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours for international flights. Southwest's check-in counters are closed 40 minutes before departure and boarding starts 30 minutes before your flight.
Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy
- Children ages 5 through 11 traveling alone must use the Unaccompanied Minor service; those 12–17 are classified as Young Travelers and follow a different set of guidelines.
- A $50 fee is charged per one-way trip, in addition to airfare; this fee is refundable if the flight is canceled by Southwest or an adult accompanies the minor on the same flight.
- Reservations for unaccompanied minors are only accepted on non-stop or direct flights (no plane changes) to minimize risks during connections.
- At check-in, the guardian dropping off the child must complete the Unaccompanied Minor Form, providing contact details for both drop-off and pick-up adults. Present valid ID and obtain a gate pass to accompany the child through security to the departure gate. Ensure arrival at the airport 45 minutes before departure for form processing.
- Minors are pre-boarded in the first boarding group; flight attendants escort them to their seats, check on them periodically, and ensure they remain near the front of the cabin for visibility and safety.
- Upon arrival, the minor is the last to deplane and is escorted by a Southwest staff member to the arrival gate, where only the named pick-up adult—who must present valid ID and sign a release—may collect the child.
Popular Routes by Southwest Airlines Flights
Southwest Airlines is renowned for its expansive domestic network linking major cities such as Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas and Dallas Love Field with several flights. Here are some of the popular routes of Southwest flights:
- Los Angeles to Sacramento: The flight duration between Los Angeles to Sacramento flight is around 1 hour and 25 minutes.
- Los Angeles to San Francisco: The flight duration between Los Angeles to San Francisco flight is around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Las Vegas to Los Angeles: The flight duration between Las Vegas to Los Angeles flight is around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Los Angeles to Phoenix: The flight duration between Los Angeles to Phoenix flight is around 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Other popular routes include:
- United States: Midway (Chicago), Love Field (Dallas), Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, and Phoenix.
- International destinations: Cancun, Mexico; San Jose, Costa Rica; Nassau, Bahamas; and Montego Bay, Jamaica.