Is Southwest A Good Airline to Fly?

Is Southwest a good airline to fly? The answer is yes, especially when you prioritize value, flexibility, and friendly service. Southwest Airlines has earned its reputation as one of America's most beloved carriers, consistently ranking at the top of customer satisfaction surveys and maintaining a strong safety record. However, whether Southwest Airlines is good for your specific travel needs depends on what you value most in your flying experience. Read our blog to know why you should choose Southwest Airlines.



Southwest's Remarkable 2025 Performance

Is Southwest a good airline after years of ups and downs? The data from 2025 suggests a resounding yes. Southwest has made an impressive comeback, earning the #1 spot in the 2025 US Airline Quality Rating after being the only airline to improve across every metric between 2022 and 2024. The airline achieved North America's most on-time performance with an 82.27% arrival rate and maintained the industry's lowest cancellation rate at just 0.62%. 

For the fourth consecutive year, Southwest ranked #1 in economy class customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2025 study, scoring highest for "Airline Staff" and "Level of Trust". With the industry's lowest complaint rate of just 1.71 per 100,000 passengers, Southwest has proven that Southwest is a good airline choice for travelers seeking reliable, customer-focused service.

What Makes Southwest Stand Out

Southwest's unique value proposition centers around three core strengths that differentiate it from competitors. 

• The airline's famous baggage policy remains largely intact, with two free checked bags per passenger. 
• With the introduction of baggage fees for its new Basic Economy fare in May 2025, Southwest still offers more generous luggage allowances than traditional airlines.
• Southwest operates the nation's most extensive domestic network, serving over 117 destinations across 42 states and international locations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. 
• The airline's point-to-point route system, rather than traditional hub-and-spoke operations, provides travelers with more direct flight options and reduces connection hassles.
• Southwest maintains its reputation for exceptional customer service. As one frequent flyer shared, "Southwest is family and military-friendly. Their baggage policy is unmatched. Their pilots always come out and say hello to my kids while we are boarding". This personal touch, combined with flexible policies like no change fees creates a travel experience that many passengers find refreshingly straightforward.

Real Traveler Experiences With Southwest

Customer reviews consistently highlight Southwest's strengths. A university professor who recently returned to Southwest after five years noted, "Their baggage policy is a game-changer, their boarding system—while unconventional—worked well in most cases, and their approach to in-flight service was refreshingly efficient". Another loyal customer with 20+ years of Southwest experience shared, "I have had zero issues in all these years... Some folks don't care for open seating, but for us, we prefer it".

Where Southwest Shows Room for Improvement

Despite its strengths, is Southwest a good airline for every type of traveler? Not necessarily. The airline's limitations become apparent for passengers seeking premium amenities or certain travel preferences. 

• No premium cabins: Southwest operates an all-economy configuration with no first-class or premium cabin options, limiting choices for travelers willing to pay for enhanced comfort.
• Open seating system: The open seating system, while beloved by some, can create stress for families or travelers who prefer guaranteed seat assignments. 
• Limited in-flight entertainment: As one traveler noted, "The biggest drawback for me, and likely for many Gen Z and millennial travelers, is the lack of modern technology". Limited in-flight entertainment options and older aircraft technology may disappoint passengers accustomed to more modern amenities.
• Delays: Reliability concerns persist among some frequent flyers. "No less than 50% of the time, Southwest flights are always delayed," complained one monthly traveler. 

Who Should Choose Southwest in 2025?

Southwest works exceptionally well for several traveler profiles. Families on a budget gain a lot from the policy of two free checked bags and usually no change fees, often saving hundreds of dollars on each trip compared to other airlines. 

Leisure travelers who prioritize value over luxury find Southwest's straightforward approach refreshing, especially when combined with the airline's extensive domestic route network.

Frequent domestic travelers appreciate Southwest's point-to-point system, which often provides more direct routing options than hub-dependent carriers. The airline's Rapid Rewards loyalty program offers genuine value, with points that don't expire and award flights with minimal fees.

Try Southwest Multi-City Booking for more destinations in one trip.

Conclusion

Is Southwest a good airline to fly? For most travelers, absolutely. The airline has successfully reinvented itself in 2025, combining its traditional strengths of value, service, and flexibility with dramatically improved operational performance. Whether you're planning a family vacation, business trip, or weekend getaway, Southwest Airlines continues to offer the best value. So what are you waiting for? Book your Southwest Airlines flight with ExperianAirfare now.