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United States
Southwest Airlines
One of America's largest airlines, headquartered in Dallas
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United StatesCountry
- WNIATA Code
- SWAICAO Code
- IndependentAlliance
- Low-CostAirline Type
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About Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the United States, flying Boeing 737s across the country and to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. It now charges for checked bags on most fares and moved to assigned seating in January 2026. This guide explains what changed, the four fares, bag fees, the power bank rule, Rapid Rewards and how Southwest compares with American and Delta.
Southwest was founded in 1967, started flying in Texas in 1971 and is based in Dallas. It flies only Boeing 737s. In 2025 and 2026 it ended two of its best-known policies: free checked bags and open seating.
Contents
What Changed at Southwest in 2025 and 2026
| Change | When | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Checked bag fees | Bookings from 28 May 2025 | “Bags Fly Free” ended; most fares now pay for bags |
| New fare names | Late 2025 | Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra replaced Wanna Get Away and Business Select |
| Flight credits expire | Credits issued from 28 May 2025 | Valid for 6 or 12 months, depending on the fare |
| Power bank rule | From 28 May 2025 | Power banks must be visible while in use, not in a bag or overhead bin |
| Assigned seating | Flights from 27 January 2026 | Open seating ended; seats are now chosen or assigned |
If you last flew Southwest a few years ago, check these changes before you book.
Power Banks on Southwest
Southwest has one of the clearest power bank rules in the US:
- If you are using a power bank, it must be in plain sight, not inside a bag or in the overhead bin.
- Power banks and spare batteries must be in your carry-on, never in checked bags.
- FAA limits apply: up to 100 Wh is fine; 100–160 Wh needs approval.
How to Find Cheap Southwest Flights
- Price in bags: with paid bags, Southwest is no longer automatically the cheapest once luggage is added.
- Use a Southwest card: free first bags for the whole booking save a lot for families.
- Compare secondary airports: Love Field, Midway, Hobby and Oakland are often cheaper.
- Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Southwest next to American, Delta, United and others.
Southwest vs American vs Delta
Southwest competes with the big network airlines on most US routes.
| Southwest | American | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Low-cost | Full-service | Full-service |
| Domestic first bag | $35 at 2025 launch (free with Choice Extra or card) | $50 | $45 |
| Carry-on on cheapest fare | Included | Included | Included |
| Loyalty | Rapid Rewards | AAdvantage | SkyMiles |
| International | Mexico, Central America, Caribbean | Worldwide | Worldwide |
See our American Airlines guide and Delta guide to compare.
Arriving in Dallas
Dallas Love Field is about 10 km from downtown Dallas. Buses, taxis and ride-hailing apps connect it with the city.
You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.
Is Southwest Airlines a Good Airline?
Yes, for US domestic trips. Southwest has friendly service, a huge domestic network, no change fees on Choice and higher fares and points that never expire. With paid bags and assigned seats, it now works much like other US airlines, so compare the full price.
For more options, see our Alaska Airlines guide, our JetBlue guide and the FlightSelects travel blog.
Facts checked in October 2026 against FOX reporting on the 2025 Southwest policy changes and Islands. Fees change, so check the official Southwest Airlines website before you travel.
Airline Partnerships
Southwest is not a member of a global airline alliance. Its fares are sold mainly on southwest.com and the Southwest app.
Codeshare & Interline Partnerships
Southwest has started working with selected partner airlines, but most of its flights are sold on its own.
Hubs & Focus Cities
Southwest runs a point-to-point network with large bases at Dallas Love Field (DAL), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Chicago Midway (MDW), Baltimore (BWI) and Phoenix (PHX).
Popular Southwest Airlines Routes
Popular Southwest routes include Dallas Love Field to Houston Hobby, Las Vegas to Los Angeles, Denver to Phoenix and Chicago Midway to Denver. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.
Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.
Southwest Airlines Reschedule & Cancellation Policy
Southwest now sells four fares: Basic (formerly Wanna Get Away), Choice (formerly Wanna Get Away Plus), Choice Preferred (formerly Anytime) and Choice Extra (formerly Business Select). Every fare still includes one carry-on bag and one personal item.
Basic fares cannot be changed. Choice and higher fares have no change fee, so you pay only any fare difference, and Choice Preferred and Choice Extra are refundable. Flight credits issued since 28 May 2025 expire after 6 or 12 months, depending on the fare.
- Basic Paid bags; seat assigned at check-in; no changes allowed.
- Choice Paid bags; standard seat choice; no change fee, fare difference applies.
- Choice Preferred Paid bags; Preferred seats; no change fee; refundable.
- Choice Extra 2 free checked bags; Extra Legroom seats; no change fee; refundable.
- Flight credits Valid for 6 or 12 months, depending on the fare.
- 24-hour rule Tickets booked at least 7 days before departure can be cancelled for a full refund within 24 hours of booking.
- How to change or cancel Use Manage reservations on southwest.com or the Southwest app.
Southwest Airlines Seat Selection & Additional Services
Assigned seating began on flights from 27 January 2026. Extra Legroom seats offer about 34 inches of pitch, Preferred seats are near the front, and Standard seats fill the rest of the cabin. Higher fares include better seat choice, and you can pay for upgraded seats on lower fares.
Free snacks and soft drinks are still served on board, and Wi-Fi is available.
- Assigned seating Since 27 January 2026.
- Extra Legroom About 34 inches of pitch in the front and exit rows.
- Preferred seats Standard seats closer to the front.
- Standard seats In the rest of the cabin.
- Snacks Free snacks and soft drinks.
- Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.
Southwest Airlines Baggage Allowance
Every Southwest fare includes one carry-on bag and one personal item. For bookings from 28 May 2025, checked bags are paid on most fares, ending the famous "Bags Fly Free" policy: the first bag was $35 and the second $45 when fees were introduced, and US airlines raised bag fees again in 2026, so confirm the current price when you book.
Choice Extra includes two free checked bags, A-List Preferred members get free bags, and Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers get their first bag free, plus up to eight travel companions on the same booking. Bags can weigh up to 23 kg (50 lb).
- Carry-on (all fares) 1 carry-on bag plus 1 personal item.
- First checked bag $35 when fees were introduced in May 2025.
- Second checked bag $45 at launch.
- Free bags 2 with Choice Extra; free for A-List Preferred members.
- Credit cardmembers First bag free, plus up to eight companions on the same booking.
- Bag weight limit 23 kg (50 lb).
Rapid Rewards: Southwest Airlines Loyalty Programme
Rapid Rewards is Southwest's free loyalty programme. You earn points on Southwest flights and with partners such as credit cards and hotels, and redeem them for flights with no blackout dates. Points don't expire.
Frequent flyers can reach A-List and A-List Preferred status, and the Companion Pass lets a companion fly with you for just taxes and fees.
- Member Free to join; points don't expire.
- A-List Priority benefits.
- A-List Preferred More benefits and free bags.
- Companion Pass A companion flies with you for taxes and fees.
Southwest Airlines: Frequently Asked Questions
01What are Southwest Airlines’ IATA and ICAO codes?
The airline's two-character IATA code is WN. It appears in flight numbers (for example WN 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is SWA, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.
02Which airline alliance is Southwest Airlines part of?
It is not a member of a global airline alliance, although it may still have codeshare or interline agreements with individual airlines.
03Where is Southwest Airlines headquartered?
The airline is headquartered in Dallas, United States.
04When was Southwest Airlines founded?
The airline was founded in 1967.
05What are Southwest Airlines’ main hubs?
Its main hubs and focus cities are: Las Vegas (LAS) – Base; Denver (DEN) – Base.
06What is Southwest Airlines’ frequent flyer programme called?
The frequent flyer programme is called Rapid Rewards. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.
07Does Southwest still have open seating?
No. Southwest switched to assigned seating on 27 January 2026, with Extra Legroom, Preferred and Standard seats.
08Do bags still fly free on Southwest?
Not on most fares. For bookings from 28 May 2025, Southwest charges for checked bags, though Choice Extra, A-List Preferred members and eligible credit cardmembers get free bags.
09What are Southwest's new fare names?
Basic (was Wanna Get Away), Choice (was Wanna Get Away Plus), Choice Preferred (was Anytime) and Choice Extra (was Business Select).
10Can I use a power bank on Southwest?
Yes, but it must be in plain sight while in use, not inside a bag or the overhead bin. Power banks must always travel in your carry-on.
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