Two free checked bags, no change fees, and a quirky culture
Southwest Airlines is the largest domestic airline in the US by passengers carried. The airline operates a unique point-to-point model (no hub-and-spoke) with an all-Boeing 737 fleet. Southwest's key differentiators are two free checked bags, no change or cancellation fees, and open seating (no assigned seats). The airline has a famously fun corporate culture and consistently ranks high in customer satisfaction for value. In 2025, Southwest began implementing assigned seating and plans to add premium seating options, marking a significant shift in its longstanding model.
Single class with 32-33 inch pitch across the 737 fleet. Seats are 17.1 inches wide — narrower than some competitors. No seatback screens but free Wi-Fi entertainment portal. Open boarding means early check-in (or Business Select fare) is crucial for getting preferred seats. In-flight Wi-Fi is available for purchase.
Southwest does not offer a traditional business class. Business Select is the highest fare tier, providing priority boarding (A1-A15 group), a premium drink, same-day standby, and extra Rapid Rewards points. No seat product difference — same 737 seat as everyone else.
Two free checked bags (up to 50 lbs each) for all passengers — the best checked bag policy among US airlines. One carry-on and one personal item also free. This alone saves $70-140 roundtrip compared to airlines that charge for bags.
No seatback screens. Free in-flight entertainment via the Southwest app (movies, TV, live TV) streamed to your personal device. Wi-Fi available for purchase ($8/day or free for A-List Preferred members). USB power at some seats.
Free non-alcoholic beverages and a small packaged snack. Alcoholic drinks start at $6. No meal service on any route. Bring your own food for longer flights.
Compare prices across booking platforms and find the best deal.
Search Southwest Airlines flights →Southwest Airlines achieves an on-time performance of approximately 76-79%, which is solid for a carrier operating such a large point-to-point domestic network. Unlike hub carriers, Southwest's distributed route structure means a delay at one airport is less likely to cascade across the network. Southwest holds a 7/7 safety rating and has never had a passenger fatality from an in-flight accident in its 50+ year history. The airline operates the world's largest fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft — over 800 planes, all 737 variants — with an average age of approximately 12 years.
Southwest operates the largest domestic airline network in the United States, serving over 120 destinations primarily across the US mainland, Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Unlike traditional airlines, Southwest uses a point-to-point routing model rather than a hub-and-spoke system, which means more nonstop options between mid-size cities. The airline does not operate long-haul international routes and has no alliance partnerships. Southwest's key markets include the US sunbelt (Texas, Florida, California, Arizona), Chicago Midway, Baltimore/Washington, and Denver. The airline added Hawaii service in 2019 and has been gradually expanding Caribbean and Mexican resort destinations.
Southwest's unique fare structure — no change fees, no cancellation fees, and two free checked bags — makes it one of the most flexible airlines to book in the US. Fares come in three tiers: Wanna Get Away (cheapest, but only refundable as travel credit), Wanna Get Away Plus (transferable credit), Anytime, and Business Select. The Rapid Rewards loyalty program is points-based and straightforward. Southwest does not appear on Google Flights, Kayak, or other aggregators — you must search directly on southwest.com. Flash sales with fares as low as $39 one-way appear several times per year. For the best prices, book 4-6 weeks ahead for domestic flights. The Companion Pass — earned by accumulating 135,000 points or 100 qualifying flights in a year — allows a designated companion to fly free on every flight for the rest of the year and the following year.
Rapid Rewards is a revenue-based program with no blackout dates and no seat restrictions. Points are earned based on fare type and can be redeemed for any available seat. A-List (priority boarding, same-day standby, extra points), A-List Preferred (free Wi-Fi, premium drinks, international priority), Companion Pass (a companion flies free for 1-2 years — one of the most valuable airline perks in the US).
Fly Southwest Airlines if: Domestic US travelers who check bags frequently and value flexibility — two free checked bags and no change fees are unmatched.
Consider alternatives if: Travelers who want assigned seats, premium cabins, or international long-haul flights.
Southwest Airlines receives a 4.0/5 rating in our review. It offers solid service based on cabins, baggage, entertainment, food, and loyalty program.
Southwest Airlines is based at No traditional hubs (point-to-point).
Two free checked bags (up to 50 lbs each) for all passengers — the best checked bag policy among US airlines. One carry-on and one personal item also free. This alone saves $70-140 roundtrip compared to airlines that charge for bags.
Use our flight comparison tool to compare Southwest Airlines prices across booking platforms including Kiwi.com. Booking 6-8 weeks in advance and flying mid-week typically yields the cheapest fares.
No. Southwest Airlines includes two free checked bags (each up to 50 pounds) on every fare, including the cheapest Wanna Get Away fare. This is unique among major US carriers and can save $60-120 per round trip compared to airlines that charge for checked luggage.
Southwest has chosen not to distribute its fares through Global Distribution Systems (GDS) or online travel agencies. You can only search and book Southwest flights at southwest.com or through the Southwest app. This means Southwest fares do not appear on Google Flights, Kayak, Expedia, or Skyscanner.
No. Southwest uses an open seating system — passengers are assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and position number, then choose any available seat when boarding. Business Select fares get A1-A15 boarding positions. Families with children aged 6 and under board between A and B groups for free.
The Southwest Companion Pass lets a designated person fly free (just pay taxes) on every flight you take for up to 2 calendar years. Earn it through credit card sign-up bonuses for the fastest path.