Southwest Airlines Review, Baggage Rules and Services
Everything you need to know — baggage allowances, fares, and why it is America’s largest low-cost carrier with 2 free bags and no change fees.
✈️ Check Southwest Airlines Flights on Expedia
Boeing 747 at Frankfurt Airport
Quick Facts
Key information about this airline at a glance
| Airline Name | Southwest Airlines Co. |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Alliance | None (independent) |
| Fleet Size | ~800 aircraft |
| Destinations | 120+ (US, Caribbean, Mexico) |
| Airline Type | Full-Service (Luxury) |
| Annual Passengers | ~130 million |
| Hub Airport | Dallas Love Field (DAL), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS) |
| On-time Performance | ~80% |
| Skytrax Rating | 5-star airline |
| Explorelio Rating | ⭐ 4.2 / 5 |
Airline Rating Breakdown
Explorelio scores based on passenger experience and industry data
Baggage Allowance
Southwest Airlines includes 2 free checked bags on ALL fares — no exceptions. See our full airline comparison for a side-by-side view.
| Carry-on bag (all fares) | Standard overhead size |
| Weight limit | No weight limit stated |
| Personal item | Must fit under seat |
| Wanna Get Away — 2 checked bags | ✅ Included FREE |
| Wanna Get Away+ — 2 checked bags | ✅ Included FREE |
| Anytime — 2 checked bags | ✅ Included FREE |
| Business Select — 2 checked bags | ✅ Included FREE |
? Tip: Every Southwest fare includes 2 free checked bags and no change fees — a major advantage over Delta, United and American. Compare prices on Expedia.
Cabin Classes
Two fare tiers — flexible Economy and Business Select with priority boarding
- 2 × free checked bags included
- Open seating — choose any available seat
- Free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
- No change fees ever
- 2 × free checked bags included
- Priority boarding (A-List Preferred)
- Fully refundable ticket
- Earn 2× Rapid Rewards points
- 2 × 32 kg bags included
- Lie-flat bed, direct aisle access
- Premium dining and complimentary cocktails
- Senator Lounge access (Frankfurt)
Fleet Overview
Southwest operates the world’s largest all-Boeing 737 fleet. Compare with other carriers on our airline comparison page.
Airbus A320neo taking off from Frankfurt
Route Network
Southwest Airlines connects 120+ destinations across the US, Caribbean and Mexico — all with 2 free bags. Check our destination guides and travel itineraries for trip ideas.
- Dallas, Chicago
- Denver, Las Vegas
- Los Angeles, Atlanta
- Baltimore, Houston
- Cancún, Los Cabos
- San Juan, Nassau
- Aruba, Jamaica
- Turks and Caicos
- Phoenix, Seattle
- Orlando, Tampa
- New York, Boston
- San Francisco, Portland
- Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta
- Guadalajara, Mazatlán
- Belize City
- Grand Cayman
Pros and Cons
- ? 2 free checked bags on EVERY fare — unmatched in the US
- ? No change fees ever — full flexibility
- ⏰ Better on-time performance than most US low-cost rivals
- ? No hidden fees — price shown is price paid
- ? Consistently high customer satisfaction among US carriers
- ? Open seating — no assigned seats — see our airline comparison for alternatives
- ? No long-haul international routes — US, Caribbean and Mexico only
- ? Not bookable on most OTAs — book direct on southwest.com
- ?️ No airport lounges
- ? No alliance — no partner earning or redemption
Boeing 747-8 at Frankfurt gate
Compare Southwest Airlines With Other US Airlines
See how it stacks up against other US carriers
How to Book Southwest Airlines Flights
Find the Cheapest Fares
Important: Southwest fares are NOT available on most third-party booking sites — always book on southwest.com for the best prices and options. Compare with other carriers on our comparison page.
Contact Information
Frequently Asked Questions
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