Southwest Airlines (WN) is the world’s largest low-cost carrier, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Its main operating bases include Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Baltimore, Atlanta, Dallas–Love, Chicago–Midway, Denver, Las Vegas, Houston–Hobby, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Orlando.
Southwest has 734-plus aircraft on its fleet. You can travel to 103-plus cities in the U.S. and 9 other countries on your Southwest Airlines reservations.
Southwest Airlines offers 3 types of fares—Wanna Get Away, Anytime, and Business Select.
In 2020, Southwest Airlines won the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for the Best Airline in North America—as well as the Best Economy and Best Low-Cost Airline in North America.
Southwest Airlines Booking Options
You can make your Southwest Airlines reservations in any of the following ways:
- Southwest.com (i.e., web/online)
- By Phone
- Through the Mobile app (Android or iOS)
- From a Southwest Airlines ticket counter
- From a travel agent
Southwest Airlines Reservations Online
A screenshot of Southwest Airlines’ online reservations page
To make Southwest Airlines reservations online:
- Go to Southwest.com
- Select if you’ll be booking a round trip or flying one-way
- Fill out your trip requirements, i.e., your:
- Departure city name
- Arrival city name
- Departure date
- Return date (if booking a round-trip)
- Number of passengers
- Promo code (if you have one)
- Click on the Search button
You will be shown several flight options based on your search criteria - Choose your flight (and other options) and pay
Southwest Airlines Reservations Phone Number
If you’re not comfortable booking online, you can call Southwest Airlines reservations number +1-866-399-0587 to book your flight. The flight booking process is secure and easy.
Southwest Airlines Mobile App Reservations
Southwest Airlines reservations can be made with the mobile app. All you need to do is download the app and open a free account with Southwest.
How to Check Your Flight Status on Southwest Airlines
A screenshot of the Flight Status tab on www.Southwest.com
To check your Southwest Airlines’ flight status online:
- Go to Southwest.com
- Retrieve your flight reservation as follows:
- Select the Flight Status from the top
- Enter your flight details
- Click on the Search button
Your flight status will appear.
You can also use the mobile app to access your flight status.
How to Book Cheap Flights on Southwest Airlines Booking
- To book a cheap flight, call Southwest Airlines Reservations (+1-866-399-0587).
- Subscribe to Click ‘N Save for the latest sales and special offers.
- Take a Southwest Airlines credit card to earn extra points on your daily purchases plus bonus points on completing your card anniversary.
- Earn extra miles on daily purchases by signing up for Rapid Rewards.
Southwest Airlines Senior Discounts
Southwest Airlines Reservations for Seniors
Southwest Airlines has stopped offering discounted fares for senior citizens. If you want to make discounted reservations for seniors, call +1-866-399-0587 and ask for a low-cost ticket.
Southwest Airlines Manage Reservation
How to manage your Southwest Airlines flight reservations
A screenshot of the Flight tab on www.southwest.com
A screenshot showing the Manage Reservations option in the Flight tab’s dropdown
Southwest Airlines Manage Reservations is a useful online tool that allows you to manage all aspects of your trip.
You can use the Manage Reservations tab to:
- View your flight itinerary
- Print your travel documents
- Share your flight details via View/Share Itinerary
- Check in for your flight
- Print or reprint your boarding pass
- Change your flight
- Upgrade your flight
- Cancel your flight
- Check your flight status
To manage your Southwest Airlines’ flight reservations:
- Go to Southwest.com
- From the Flight tab, select Manage Reservations
The Retrieve Air Reservation page will appear
A screenshot of Southwest Airlines’ Retrieve Air Reservation page
- On the Retrieve Air Reservation page, enter your:
- Confirmation #
- First Name
- Last Name
- Click on the Search button
- Now select your flight to:
- View/print your itinerary
- Share your flight details
- Check in for your flight
- Print or reprint your boarding pass
- Change/upgrade/cancel your flight
- Check your flight status
You can also manage your Southwest Airlines flight(s) via the mobile app.
Southwest Airlines Reservations Phone Numbers
Southwest Airlines’ Reservations and Customer Relations phone numbers are follows:
- Southwest Airlines Reservation Number +1-866-399-0587 (open 24/7, U.S. toll-free)
- General Customer Service +1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792)
- Baggage—General Questions +1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792)
- Customer Relations +1-855-234-4654
- Articles Left at TSA Checkpoint +1-866-289-9673 or tsa.gov.
- Rapid Rewards Customer Service +1-800-445-5764
- Twitter @Southwestair
Southwest Airlines Fare Types
Southwest Airlines tickets and reservations
Southwest Airlines offers 3 types of fares (i.e., tickets and reservations):
- Wanna Get Away
- Anytime
- Business Select
| Fare Details | Wanna Get Away | Anytime | Business Select |
| Refundable | x | ||
| Reusable | |||
| Same-Day Changes | Fare difference applies | Taxes and fees may apply | Taxes and fees may apply |
| Priority Boarding (A1-15) | x | x | |
| Fly By Priority Check-in | x | x | |
| Fly By Security Lane | x | x | |
| 2 Free Checked Bags | |||
| Complimentary Drinks and Snacks | Premium Drink | ||
| Free Live and On-Demand TV | Where available | Where available | Where available |
| Rapid Rewards Formula | 6x Fare | 10x Fare | 12x Fare |
Wanna Get Away
Southwest’s most basic (cheapest) fare option is known as Wanna Get Away.
It includes:
- 2 free checked bags
- Complimentary snacks and drinks
- 6x fare earnings for Rapid Rewards members
- Reusable Funds option
Wanna Get Away fares are technically non-refundable. But if you miss your flight, you can apply the fare toward future travel. That means the cost of your ticket will remain in your Southwest account till you use it or it expires—whichever is earlier. If you do not apply the funds for future travel within the eligibility period, the entire fare (incl. taxes, fees, etc.) will stand forfeited.
Remember, if you fail to apply the funds within the eligibility period, the entire amount of the fare (+taxes, fees, etc.) will be forfeited.
Anytime
Anytime fares are similar to Wanna Get Away fares—but refundable. They also earn more Rapid Rewards points (10x the fare amount) compared to Wanna Get Away fares (6x). Plus, they allow you to fly standby—which you can’t with Wanna Get Away fares.
Business Select
Business Select fares provide all the perks of Wanna Get Away fares, along with the option to refund—plus additional benefits such as:
- Priority boarding
- Priority security lanes
- A premium (alcoholic) beverage
- 12x fare earnings
Southwest Airlines Seat Assignment
Southwest Airlines has an open boarding policy which allows passengers to sit just about anywhere they want—in the front, middle, or back. As there are no seat assignments, seating is based on a first-come-first-seated basis, subject to the boarding order.
Southwest Airlines Seat Choices
Southwest Airlines offers the following types of seats:
- Wanna Get Away Seats
Southwest’s basic fare seats, known as Wanna Get Away seats, come with the following options:
- 2 free checked bags
- Complimentary snacks and drinks
- 6x fare earnings for Rapid Rewards members
- Reusable (for future travel) but non-refundable
- Anytime Seats
Anytime seats are similar to Wanna Get Away seats—but are refundable. They earn more Rapid Rewards points (10x the fare amount) compared to Wanna Get Away fares (6x). Plus, they allow you to fly standby—something you can’t do with Wanna Get Away seats.
- Business Select Seats
Business Select seats come with all the perks of Wanna Get Away seats, as well as the option to refund—plus additional benefits such as:
- Priority boarding
- Priority security lanes
- A premium (alcoholic) beverage
- 12x fare earnings
Southwest Airlines In-flight Entertainment (IFE) Services
Southwest Airlines’ in-flight entertainment services are 100% free, and include:
- Movies
- Messaging
- TV shows, incl. live TV
(Free Live may not be available throughout the entire duration of the flight due to licensing restrictions) - On-demand TV episodes
- Music from iHeartRadio (on select aircraft)
(iHeartRadio may not be available throughout the entire duration of the flight due to licensing restrictions) - In-flight entertainment streaming to mobile devices, tablets, and laptops
- Destination guides on where you’ll be landing
Southwest Airlines Frequent Flyer Program—Rapid Rewards
An illustration of Southwest Airlines frequent flyers program, Rapid Rewards
Rapid Rewards works on a points system, where you can earn points by:
- Flying on Southwest Airlines
- Shopping and dining with partners
- At partner hotels
- On car rentals and ground transportation
- Shopping and dining at more than 800 retailers
- Earn up to 3 points per USD 1 spent at select restaurants
- Gas purchases from Marathon gas station outlets
(1 point for every gallon of fuel) - Switching power service to NRG Home or Reliant
- Taking surveys
- Shopping and dining with a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card
(Southwest Airlines is also a transfer partner of the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program)
Southwest Airlines also allows you to:
- Buy Rapid Rewards points
- Transfer credit card points to Rapid Rewards
(i.e., from Diners Club and Chase Rewards)
Southwest Airlines Reusable and Refundable Fares
- Reusable Fares
You can use the following fares toward future travel for up to 1 year from the original date of purchase:- Wanna Get Away
- Anytime
- Business Select
You must, however, travel by the expiration date, and reuse your funds per Southwest Airlines’ No-Show policy (i.e., cancel your ticket at least 10 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure time).
- Refundable Fares
Anytime and Business Select fares are refundable if you cancel at least 10 minutes before your flight’s departure time. You will have the option to get a refund to your original form of payment or get Travel Funds for use in the future.
What’s the Difference between Reusable and Refundable Fares?
| Fare Type | Reusable (i.e., applied toward a future trip as Travel Funds) | Refundable |
| Wanna Get Away | x | |
| Anytime | ||
| Business Select |
Am I Eligible for a Refund on Southwest Airlines?
- Refundable Fares
- Anytime and Business Select fares are fully refundable—provided you cancel your flight at least 10 minutes before departure.
- You can cancel online at Southwest.com
- You can cancel through the mobile app
- You can call to cancel by phone
- You have the option to:
- Get a refund to your original form of payment, or
- Get Travel Funds for future use
- Anytime and Business Select fares are fully refundable—provided you cancel your flight at least 10 minutes before departure.
- Reusable Fares
- All Southwest Airlines’ fares can be used for future travel—including the discounted Wanna Get Away fares—if they were canceled per Southwest’s No Show policy.
- Even the Wanna Get Away fares are fully refundable if you cancel within 24 hours of booking.
- You can cancel online at Southwest.com
- You can cancel through the mobile app
- You can call to cancel by phone
- You will have the option to:
- Get a refund to your original form of payment, or
- Get Travel Funds for future use
- If you use a Southwest gift card or a LUV voucher to make a reservation and cancel within 24 hours, call Southwest’s Customer Relations at +1-855-234-4654.
Southwest Airlines’ No Show Policy
- If you don’t plan to travel on any part of your itinerary, you must cancel your booking at least 10 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure time, otherwise all the segments of your itinerary will be canceled.
- If you don’t cancel your Wanna Get Away reservation segment at least 10 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure time and do not board your flight, it will be considered a “no show”—and all the unused funds will be forfeited.
- The entire portion of your unused funds for Business Select and Anytime fares will be converted to reusable Travel Funds.
- If you make a reward travel reservation and no show for it, your points will be credited back to your Rapid Rewards account, and any associated taxes and fees will be held for future use as reusable Travel Funds under your name.
Southwest Airlines Phone Numbers
Below are a few important contact numbers of Southwest Airlines.
Southwest Airlines Reservations Phone Number +1-866-399-0587 (toll-free, open 24/7)
Customer Service (Rapid Reward) +1-800-435-9792
Delayed or Damaged Baggage +1-888-202-1024
Cargo +1-800-533-1222
En Espanol +1-800-826-6667
Flight Information +1-888-792-8747
Group Travel +1-800-433-5368
Property Left at TSA Check +1-866-289-9673
Teletypewriter (TTY) +1-800-535-1305
| Southwest Airlines International Customer Service Numbers | |
| En México (en español) | 01-800-083-1178 |
| Mexico | 01-800-083-1179 |
| En Jamaica (en español) | 1-800-425-8089 |
| Jamaica | 1-800-425-8130 |
| En Gran Caimán (en español) | 1-844-670-7990 |
| Grand Cayman | 1-844-670-7914 |
| En República Dominicana (en español) | 1-800-751-9038 |
| Dominican Republic | 1-800-751-9039 |
| En Costa Rica (en español) | 0-800-012-1917 |
| Aruba | 588-2900 |
| Bahamas | 1-855-202-3403 |
| En Bahamas (en español) | 1-855-202-3402 |
| Belize | 0-800-0078684 |
| En Belice (en español) | 0-800-247-5463 |
| Costa Rica | 0-800-012-1916 |
Southwest Airlines Travel Destinations
An illustration of Southwest Airlines destination map
Southwest Airlines flies to more than 103 destinations—across the United States and the following 9 countries:
- United Kingdom
- Netherlands (Aruba)
- Mexico
- Jamaica
- Dominican Republic
- Cuba
- Costa Rica
- Belize
- Bahamas
Popular Destinations in the U.S.
- United States
- Wichita, Kansas
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Tucson, Arizona
- Telluride (Montrose), Colorado
- Tampa, Florida
- Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Spokane, Washington
- Seattle/Tacoma, Washington
- Savannah, Georgia
- Sarasota, Florida
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
- San José, California
- San Francisco, California
- San Diego, California
- San Antonio, Texas
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Sacramento, California
- Rochester, New York
- Richmond, Virginia
- Reno/Tahoe, Nevada
- Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Portland, Oregon
- Portland, Maine
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Pensacola, Florida
- Panama City, Florida
- Palm Springs, California
- Palm Beach, Florida
- Orlando, Florida
- Orange County, California
- Ontario, California
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Oakland, California
- Norfolk, Virginia
- New York City, New York
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Midland/Odessa, Texas
- Miami, Florida
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Manchester, New Hampshire
- Lubbock, Texas
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Los Angeles, California
- Long Island/Islip, New York
- Long Beach, California
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Lihue, Hawaii
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
- Kahului, Hawaii
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Houston, Texas
- Hilo, Hawaii
- Hawaii, Honolulu
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Harlingen/South Padre Island, Texas
- Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Fort Myers, Florida
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- El Paso, Texas
- Dulles, Virginia
- Detroit, Michigan
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Denver, Colorado
- Dallas, Texas
- Corpus Christi, Texas
- Columbus, Ohio
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Chicago, Illinois
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Burbank, California
- Buffalo, New York
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Boise, Idaho
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Baltimore/Washington, D.C., Maryland
- Austin, Texas
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Arlington, Virginia
- Amarillo, Texas
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Albany, New York