Southwest Airlines

About Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is America's most beloved low-cost carrier and one of the world's largest airlines by number of passengers carried. Founded in 1967 and launched into service in 1971 with just three aircraft serving Texas cities Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, Southwest has grown into a domestic aviation giant with a fleet of more than 700 Boeing 737 aircraft. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Southwest operates out of numerous focus cities including Dallas Love Field (DAL), Chicago Midway (MDW), Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN), Phoenix (PHX), Baltimore (BWI), and Orlando (MCO).

Southwest has built its reputation on a simple, customer-friendly philosophy: no hidden fees, no assigned seats, no change fees, and two free checked bags for every passenger on every flight. This transparent approach to pricing — where the fare you see is the fare you pay for the core travel experience — has earned Southwest a fiercely loyal customer base and industry-leading satisfaction scores year after year. The airline employs over 60,000 people and prides itself on a fun, approachable culture that begins with the cabin crew and extends to every touchpoint of the travel experience.

Southwest Airlines Route Network

Southwest Airlines serves more than 100 destinations across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Unlike the hub-and-spoke model used by major network carriers, Southwest primarily operates a point-to-point system, allowing travelers to fly directly between cities without routing through a central hub. This strategy reduces connection time and the likelihood of delays cascading across the network, resulting in a more reliable travel experience for passengers with tight schedules.

Within the United States, Southwest connects virtually every major city — New York LaGuardia, Los Angeles, Chicago Midway, Miami, Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. — with multiple daily frequencies on the most popular corridors. International service includes popular leisure destinations such as Cancún, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Nassau, Aruba, Montego Bay, and San José, Costa Rica. Southwest's international network continues to expand as the airline capitalizes on pent-up leisure demand from U.S. travelers seeking affordable, reliable service to beach and resort destinations.

Southwest's Unique Open Seating Policy

One of Southwest's most distinctive features is its open seating policy — passengers do not receive assigned seats. Instead, travelers are assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a position number within that group based on their check-in time. Earlier check-in results in a better boarding position and a wider choice of seats. Passengers may check in online up to 24 hours before their flight to secure the best boarding position.

For those who prefer guaranteed earlier boarding, Southwest offers EarlyBird Check-In, which automatically checks you in 36 hours before departure for a fee. Business Select fares include A1-A15 boarding positions, which virtually guarantee a front-of-cabin seat. Upgraded Boarding, when available at the gate, allows passengers to purchase A1-A15 positions on the day of travel. Many frequent Southwest travelers appreciate the flexibility of choosing any open seat, which can be particularly advantageous for families, groups, or those who prefer window or aisle seats.

Fare Classes & What You Get

Southwest offers three primary fare types, each designed for a different type of traveler. Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares are the most affordable options and are ideal for budget-conscious travelers with firm plans. Wanna Get Away fares are non-refundable but can be converted into travel credit if canceled before departure. Wanna Get Away Plus adds transferability of travel funds and same-day standby benefits.

Anytime fares offer fully refundable tickets with no change fees and same-day confirmed changes. They earn the most Rapid Rewards points per dollar and include priority boarding positions. Business Select fares, the premium tier, include A1-A15 boarding priority, a premium drink coupon, Fly By priority lane access at security, and the highest Rapid Rewards earning rate. Every fare includes two free checked bags, a free carry-on bag, and a free personal item — a competitive advantage that no major U.S. network carrier can match.

Rapid Rewards Loyalty Program

Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is one of the most straightforward and rewarding loyalty programs in the airline industry. Points are earned based on the fare paid — not the distance flown — making it possible to earn significant points even on short, inexpensive flights. The program has three elite tiers: A-List, A-List Preferred, and Companion Pass. A-List members receive priority boarding, bonus points, same-day standby, and dedicated customer service. A-List Preferred adds free inflight Wi-Fi and 100% bonus points on every flight.

The Rapid Rewards Companion Pass is widely regarded as one of the most valuable perks in all of travel. Earned by accumulating 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, the Companion Pass allows one designated companion to fly with you for free (excluding taxes) on every Southwest flight for the remainder of the earning year and the entire following year. Southwest Rapid Rewards co-branded credit cards from Chase count toward the companion pass threshold and can dramatically accelerate the path to this prized benefit.

Tips for Getting the Best Southwest Fares

Southwest does not distribute its fares through third-party booking sites or global distribution systems, meaning tickets can only be purchased directly through Southwest's website, app, or phone line. CheapFareFreak monitors Southwest's publicly available fares and alerts you when prices change on your desired route. To find the lowest Wanna Get Away fares, book as early as possible — Southwest releases fares up to six months in advance and the cheapest seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Avoid peak travel periods such as spring break, Thanksgiving week, and the winter holidays for the best pricing.

Southwest runs periodic fare sales throughout the year, often promoted via their email newsletter and social media channels. Subscribing to Ding! — Southwest's exclusive deal notification tool — alerts you to time-sensitive, sale-priced fares before they sell out. Because Southwest has no change fees and allows free cancellations for travel credit, booking early and rebooking if prices drop is a powerful strategy for locking in low prices without risk.