Southwest Airlines flights and information

Airline Overview

Southwest began as a small, Texas-based airline 36 years ago. The short-haul, discount airline now offers flights to 63 cities across America and is the largest airline in the country by numbers of passengers carried.

Telephone

Reservations: 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792); 1-800-VAMONOS (1-800-826-6667) - En Español.

Baggage

Carry-on: one item not more than 127 linear cm (length + height + width).

Checked: three items with the maximum weight for each piece of 23 kg, with maximum dimensions of 158 linear cm.

Excess: for extra bags, fees are charged at $50 (£100) per piece up to nine pieces, and $110 (£220) each for 10 pieces or more. Overweight items weighing 23-32 kg will be charged $25 (£50) each; 33-45kg $100 each. Oversized luggage between 158-203cm will be charged $100 (£200) each. Any item weighing more than 45kg or measuring more than 203cm must be shipped by cargo.

Back to top

Legroom

Seat pitch: 32–33 inches.

Back to top

Pre-assigned Seating

Southwest Airlines operates an open-seating policy, though passengers are boarded in three tiers (those with boarding cards "A" first, followed by "B", followed by "C"), so it pays to check-in early.

Back to top

Child Fares

Infants under two years of age can travel for free, if travelling on an adult's lap. Youth fares are available for those between 12 and 22, but are not available online and must be booked at the reservation centre. Unaccompanied children aged five to 11 must travel as unaccompanied minors; a form for this can be filled out online, or you can book at the reservations number.

Back to top

Senior Fares

Available for those 65+. Prices vary from city to city. Senior airfares are fully refundable and exchangeable. Fares can be booked online or at the reservations number.

Back to top

Pets

Pets are not accepted on any Southwest Airlines flights, with the exception of service animals, like seeing-eye dogs.

Back to top

Carrying Musical Instruments

Musical instruments can be carried on if they meet the size requirements for carry-on items. You can also purchase a seat for a large or fragile instrument at a child's fare rate but an instrument cannot be carried in place of a free companion under any fare promotion.

Back to top

In-flight Service

On a series of flights that are at least two hours long, peanuts and pretzels will be served. On non-stop flights at least two hours long, a packaged snack will be served. Complimentary tea, coffee and non-alcoholic drinks are available. Beer, wine or cocktails are available for purchase.

Back to top

Air Miles

Rapid Rewards allows you to earn miles when you fly Southwest. Rapid Rewards are based on the number of flights you make, rather than the miles you travel and redeemed with a number of partners, including Alamo, Budget, Hertz and Hilton.

Back to top

Airline Food Link

See photographs of meals and read reviews at AirlineMeals.net.

Back to top

In-flight Magazine

Spirit , Southwest's in-flight magazine is available on every flight and can be read online.

Back to top

Southwest Airlines
Search by date

* Required

Ticket Type
Link to Calendar
Link to Calendar

Top flight deals

Subscribe

Weekly travel deal alerts!

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest travel deals as they happen.
TRUSTe Logo
(Enter ROI if you live in the Rep. Ireland)
We do not share your information with third parties and have a spam free policy. See our privacy policy

Follow us on

Up to the minute travel deals and discussions