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Southwest Airlines Overview & Policy Summary
Southwest Airlines is the largest domestic US carrier by passengers boarded and operates a point-to-point network rather than a traditional hub-and-spoke system. It is best known for a fare structure with no change fees and for flying into secondary city airports such as Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field and Houston Hobby that are often closer to downtown than the primary hub.
Key Travel Facts & Insights
- Carry-on: One full-size carry-on plus one personal item on every fare..
- First checked bag: Southwest historically included two free checked bags on every fare.
- Changes: No change fee on any Southwest fare except Basic — this is the carrier's signature policy and it long predates the industry-wide move away from change fees.
- Check-in: 24 hours before departure.
Southwest help topics
Detailed answers on the ten things travellers ask most after booking.
Southwest at a glance
Changes
No change fee on any Southwest fare except Basic — this is the carrier's signature policy and it long predates the industry-wide move away from change fees. You pay only the fare difference, and if the new fare is cheaper you keep the difference as flight credit.
How to change a flightCheck-in
24 hours before departure. With assigned seating this matters far less than it did under the old boarding-position scramble. 30 minutes before departure at most airports.
Check-in and boarding cutoffsSouthwest fare types
| Fare | Includes | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | The lowest Southwest fare with standard carry-on allowance. | Non-changeable and non-refundable outside the 24-hour window, and boards last — the one Southwest fare that behaves like a traditional Basic Economy ticket. |
| Wanna Get Away Plus | Transferable flight credit, same-day standby and free changes. | Fare difference still applies on a change. |
| Anytime | Fully refundable to the original form of payment, priority boarding position. | Materially more expensive than Wanna Get Away fares. |
| Business Select | Refundable fare, boarding positions A1–A15, a free premium drink and bonus Rapid Rewards. | There is no separate premium cabin — the seat is the same. |
Hubs
- Chicago Midway (MDW)
- Baltimore (BWI)
- Denver (DEN)
- Las Vegas (LAS)
- Dallas Love Field (DAL)
- Phoenix (PHX)
- Houston Hobby (HOU)
An all-Boeing 737 fleet — the largest 737 operator in the world — which keeps maintenance and crew training costs unusually low.
Popular routes
- Chicago Midway (MDW) → Las Vegas (LAS)
- Baltimore (BWI) → Orlando (MCO)
- Dallas Love (DAL) → Houston Hobby (HOU)
- Denver (DEN) → Phoenix (PHX)
Southwest frequently asked questions
Does Southwest still give two free checked bags?
Not universally. Southwest has moved to a paid checked bag model on most fares, retaining free bags for A-List Preferred members and eligible Rapid Rewards cardholders. Check the allowance attached to your specific fare at booking rather than relying on the legacy policy.
Does Southwest still use open seating?
No. Southwest has moved to assigned seating, selected at booking. The old boarding-position scramble at the 24-hour check-in mark no longer determines where you sit.
What happens if I miss a Southwest flight without cancelling?
On non-refundable fares you forfeit the entire ticket value. Southwest requires cancellation at least 10 minutes before departure to preserve the funds as flight credit — cancel in the app even if you are already running late.
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