Fly Smarter with Southwest Airlines — Low Fares, No Hidden Fees

A major low-cost airline, Southwest, is the leading airline in the United States. The flag carrier is working on the low-cost carrier model. The headquarters of the airline is located in Love Field, a neighbourhood of Dallas, Texas. Southwest ranks in the fourth position in North America when measured by passengers carried, as of 2023 data. The airline provides services for more than 100 destinations in 42 states, including Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and ten other countries near the southern United States in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea regions: Aruba, the Bahamas, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Turks and Caicos. When you are thinking of booking the cheap flight tickets for the U.S. travel and for international travel, consider the low-cost airline, Southwest Airlines.

The airline was started on March 09, 1967, by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King as Air Southwest Co. 1967 was the year when The airline started, and more than 60,000 employees are part of this airline, with daily 4,000 departures. The airline carried the highest number of domestic passengers in the United States, and that's why Southwest Airlines' booking is the first choice for passengers to book cheap flight tickets.

Operating Bases of Southwest Airlines

Atlanta

Baltimore

Chicago–Midway

Dallas–Love

Denver

Houston–Hobby

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

Nashville

Oakland

Orlando

Phoenix–Sky Harbor

Rapid Rewards – Frequent Flyer Program of an Airline

When you are a frequent flyer of Southwest Airlines flights and are thinking of joining the " Rapid Rewards " program, then you are going to make the right move. It is the miles-earning program for frequent flyers. People who live in the United States and frequently travel must consider Southwest Airlines ticket booking because this is the most cost-effective airline to fly.

Do Rapid Rewards points ever expire?

No, points in a Rapid Rewards account do not expire. If your account is active, you have the points in your account, but if you delete your account, then the points will expire. Therefore, make sure that you are not closing your account before using the points.

How do I earn points in the Southwest frequent flyer program?

You can earn points by booking and flying on "Qualifying Flights" with Southwest Airlines. You must make purchases with Rapid Rewards partners for hotel, car rentals and shops with the Southwest Credit Card. There are many buying or gifting points.

How many points do I need to redeem a flight with Rapid Rewards?

Well, it depends because the points needed for a reward flight change based on the fare price and class. The date/time of travel and demand. It is a revenue-based program, and cheaper fares mean fewer points and more expensive fares mean more points.

What is the Companion Pass, and how do I qualify for it?

It is a pass that lets you pick one person to fly with you, using your ticket/points purchase, paying only taxes and fees for their seat. To qualify for the Companion Pass, you must, in a calendar year, either earn a set number of Rapid Rewards qualifying points or complete a set number of qualifying one-way flight segments.

Can I transfer or share Rapid Rewards points with someone else?

Yes, you can transfer the points of Rapid Rewards or gift points, but there are fees and limits. There is also a simpler alternative: use your account to book a reward flight for someone else. Many find this cheaper or more efficient.

Baggage Policy

In terms of carry-on allowance of Southwest flights, you may bring one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a laptop case and a purse, on board. The carry-on bag should fit into the overhead bin space. There are many myths about the person item, but it must fit under the seat in front of you. The size guideline for the carry-on bag in Southwest is approximately. 24″ x 16″ x 10″ (61 × 40 × 25 cm) including wheels/handles. There is no official weight limit for the carry-on, but make sure it fits and can be stowed safely.

What is the Southwest checked baggage policy, or how many bags can you check?

Previously, passengers could carry two free checked bags each up to 50 lbs and 63" total for most fare types. However, now this checked baggage policy of Southwest Airlines has ended for standard travellers, and fees now apply unless you qualify for a waiver. Checked bag weight and size limit is 50 pounds and 62 inches (length + width + height).

How much fee do I need to pay for a checked bag?

There is a fee applicable for the first checked bag, and the first checked bag fee is $35, and the second checked bag fee is $45. Travellers with higher fare classes or elite status may still get free checked bags.

What if my checked bag exceeds size or weight limits?

Make sure to check your bag weight and size before leaving for the airport if you don't want to pay the baggage fee. If your bag exceeds 50 lbs or 62 inches, then it may come under the category of overweight and oversized. Bags weighing more than 100 lbs may still be accepted with a larger fee.

What do I do if my bag is missing/stolen/delayed at Southwest Airlines?

For baggage issues such as missing or delayed bags, you can track your bag or use the Southwest "Baggage" help section of the help centre.

In-Flight Entertainment in Southwest Airlines

What about in-flight entertainment? This is the most asked question by the flyers, and you can get free access to movies, TV series on demand, live-TV on selected flights, a flight tracker or free messaging via the onboard WiFi network. The in-flight portal is accessible on your own device, such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop. There are no seat-back screens. Internet access is the most important thing, and it is separately priced at $8 per device per flight on many domestic routes. Free features apply only on WiFi-equipped aircraft, and for some services, like live TV, available on international segments may be limited due to licensing.

Southwest Airlines Flight Status

To check your flight status, you need to visit the "flight status" section on the airline's website or the mobile app. Once you click on the section, please enter your flight number or route and date to see whether it's on time, delayed or cancelled.

What happens if my flight is delayed or cancelled by the airline?

If the airline cancelled your flight or made some changes in the schedule, then you may be eligible for a refund or re-booking.

How to book a cheap Southwest Airlines ticket?

From booking tickets in advance to flying during weekdays, everything is essential to finding the cheap Southwest flights. Never underestimate the power of booking and flying during the weekdays because this is the best time to fly. Prices are lowest during this time, and it is very easy to find the most affordable flights during the weekdays. If you are a member of a frequent flyer program, then make sure to add it before booking to earn miles and rewards.