With a reputation for low fares and good customer service, Southwest Airlines offers a lot of flexibility for your next trip. You won't find business-class travel or in-flight meals, but it's a solid option for getting to your destination without breaking the bank.

Southwest has undergone its biggest transformation in decades. Its famous open seating, free checked bags, and alphabetical boarding groups are all gone. Some changes will please some passengers; others add to travel costs. Here's an honest look at the latest pros and cons.

History of Southwest Airlines

The beginnings of Southwest go back to 1967, when it was founded by Herb Kelleher and Rollin King. Legend has it they drafted a business plan on a cocktail napkin at a hotel bar in San Antonio: three lines connecting Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. The rest is history.

The first Southwest flight was not until June 18, 1971, when service began from Love Field in Dallas, to San Antonio and Houston, as first envisioned. Today, the airline's declared purpose is "to connect people to what's important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel."

Is Southwest Airlines still good? The pros

The carrier's promise of low-cost travel largely holds true today. Southwest Airlines is also ranked highly for safety and customer service, as well as a generous baggage allowance (with new restrictions coming in, however). Here are some of the documented positives.

1. Affordable flights

Southwest is often among the cheapest airlines in the US, especially thanks to seasonal deals and the "Wanna GO Wednesday" program, where you can get access to the latest low fares for last-minute travel. Aside from promotions, the airline regularly offers affordable airfare, and you can use Skyscanner to search for everyday deals.

2. Carryon bags are still free

While checked bag fees have arrived (more on that below), carryon bags remain free. Every passenger on Southwest flights, regardless of fare, is allowed one carryon (up to 24" x 16" x 10") and one personal item (up to 16.25" x 13.5" x 8") at no charge. There's no weight limit on either, which is more generous than many competitors. You just need to be able to lift the carryon bag in the overhead compartment and stow the personal item under the seat in front of you.

3. Reasonably priced checked bags

Southwest used to offer two free pieces of checked baggage with any flight, but the company changed this policy in spring 2025. Even so, the new costs are still cheap compared to many other airlines.

Passengers on Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred Fares now need to pay $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for a second one. Each bag must not be more than 62 inches (height, width, and depth combined) or 50 pounds to avoid additional fees.
Passengers on other fares and active-duty military with valid ID can still bring one or two free checked bags (different policies per tier).

4. Assigned seating for every passenger

Southwest’s old open seating policy split travelers in two: it was a pro for some, a big negative for others. But now every passenger will either be assigned a seat at random (for those booked on a Basic fare) or will have the option of selecting different tiers:

• Standard seating - included for all, but only Choice and above can select it at booking

• Preferred seating - near the front of the cabin, included for Choice Preferred fares and above

• Extra Legroom seating - included with Choice Extra fares

For passengers who want more control over where they sit, without the hassle of racing to check in to get into an earlier boarding group, this is a great new feature.

5. Free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks

Complimentary snacks are a signature perk of flying with Southwest Airlines. Flights going 251 miles or further feature a range of free nibbles and non-alcoholic drinks. There is also a menu you can peruse before you go. And, on certain holidays, the first alcoholic drink is on the house.

6. Free inflight entertainment

Another reason many say that Southwest is a good airline is that they offer the option of free inflight entertainment. You do need to bring your device (cellphone, tablet, or notebook) and headphones to access it, but then you'll be able to watch movies, TV shows, and even live TV.
However, internet access through WiFi is only available for free if you’re a Rapid Rewards member. Otherwise, you need to pay $8 per flight.

7. Companion Pass Program

Earning a Companion Pass can help you save lots with Southwest Airlines. If you qualify for one, you can essentially choose a person to join you for free on your flight.

But, there's a catch: you need to fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year. So, this is a perk for frequent flyers; however, once earned, the Companion Pass can be used any time you purchase a flight. You just need to pay for your travel buddy's taxes and fees. The pass is valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which it's been earned and for the full following year, too. And you can change your companion up to three times per calendar year.

8. Rapid Rewards program

Southwest's Rapid Rewards loyalty program earns you points on every purchase, and those points never expire. The program has gained meaningful new benefits alongside the airline's broader changes recently. See the full breakdown in the Rapid Rewards section below.

9. Good safety record, reliable, and on time

These may feel like the basics, but they count towards Southwest’s reputation as a good airline. Travelers have given Southwest Airlines 7/7 for safety on Airline Ratings. It is also considered one of the safest airlines in the world, thanks to a very low toll of accidents since its inception.

Thanks to various optimizations to its processes, Southwest flights are also very reliable and punctual. They use only Boeing 737 planes, which allow pilots and flight attendants to switch between trips seamlessly. And aviation analytics firm Cirium showed it works: in its March 2025 report, Southwest’s on-time arrival rate was 82.27%, making it the most punctual airline in North America. 

10. Flexible cancelation allows for cheaper fares

Thanks to its “Transfarency” policy, Southwest allows anyone to change or cancel a booking free of charge, up to 10 minutes before the flight is due to leave. If the price of the new flight is higher, you need to pay the difference. However, if the new price is lower, you’ll be refunded.

This means that travelers can update their booking to take advantage of when prices go down. Keep an eye out for fare changes, then head to your upcoming trips in the Southwest app. Select the flight you want to update and then look for the available options (you can either change your flight or look for the same dates and times again). 

If you’re a Rapid Rewards member, you can now bank points. Southwest will display the points difference as a credit or added cost. If you go for the credit, then the difference will be applied to your account, topping up the available Rapid Rewards for your next booking.

What are the cons of using Southwest Airlines?

Depending on your preferences and the type of trip you’re taking, Southwest’s recent changes have created some extra downsides. 

1. Checked bags now cost money

This is the biggest change for most Southwest travelers. Southwest has started charging the majority of customers $35 for a first checked bag and $45 for a second. 

Free checked bags are still available with Choice Extra fares and for Rapid Rewards members, on a tiered level. Active-duty military with valid ID can also have their bags checked for free. 

2. Southwest only uses Boeing 737s

Southwest’s fleet is entirely made up of Boeing 737 airplanes. This is largely because the airline doesn't fly internationally, so larger planes are not necessary. Some people consider this a pro because they know exactly what the plane will be like, but others consider it a con since there isn’t really a first class.

That said, industry analysis suggests that this approach increases operational fluidity and makes Southwest more cost-effective.

3. No in-flight meals

Southwest is truly a low-budget airline, which means they eliminate a lot of add-ons and additional services, including cooked meals. They do, however, offer complimentary coffee, juices, and cold drinks on flights. And the majority of flights (over 251 miles) also feature free snacks.

4. The new assigned seating is not all smooth sailing

The transition to assigned seating has received mixed responses. Basic fare passengers are assigned a seat at check-in, with no option to select one in advance (unless they pay extra) - this is a downside on busy flights. These passengers are also assigned to the last boarding group according to the new policy, so they will definitely not be able to get good seats. 

Coupled with the fees on checked bags, which mean people are bringing more carryon items, this has also led to many people struggling to bring their baggage on board easily. Southwest is working to make improvements as a result.

Finally, the lack of free selection of seats (or at least, the ability to check in early so you can be in the same early boarding group together) has made it more difficult for families. Southwest claim that they try to seat children under 13 with a parent, but this is not guaranteed, leaving parents forced to opt for more expensive Choice fares.

5. The boarding process is no longer a selling point

The old Southwest boarding system, where people secured themselves a spot on earlier boarding groups by checking in earlier, had its disadvantages - mainly, that the first people on the plane would pick the seats at the front, making it slower for everyone else to get on.

The new boarding system has a different issue: it’s not distinctive anymore. Southwest now boards people based on their fare and loyalty status, which is the same as any other airline. 

Southwest Airlines reviews

The majority of customer reviews are very positive for Southwest. Travelers appreciate their efficiency, good value, and flexibility, while noting some confusing tiers of pricing and concern over more announced changes to the customer experience. Here are some recent reviews.

"Recently flew in one week BWI-LAS-HNL return HNL-SAN-BWI on 737 800 Max’s. Loved the airplane performance. Quiet. Fun to fly. New. Seat legroom & width for 6-7 hour segments not sufficient. Confused on differences of their: choice, choice plus, choice preferred seating and related services. Too complicated. Needed more to eat on these longer segments. Only usual snacks. Box lunch would be great. On their app. could track each movement of checked bags. Big plus. Rated 5 for value as not yet charged for baggage and seats. Been flying Southwest for many years as my preferred airline. Concerned about their pending changes." - FMFDoc

“Southwest is so dependable! We have had so much good luck with them. Rarely have we had a flight delayed. We like the way they do the seating. “ -Maureen M.

“I have to confess, I’m very partial to Southwest Airlines! They have been very professional, friendly and prompt on any flight I’ve been on. Their flight attendants are cheerful and have a great sense of humor.” -Jan F.

"I have had so many bad experiences with other airlines. Southwest is family and military-friendly. Their baggage policy is unmatched. Their pilots always come out and say hello to my kids while we are boarding and/or getting off the plane. The free movies and shows have saved me on long flights with 4 kids. Check-in is so easy. Everyone I have come in contact with who works there has been so kind and helpful. I had to contact customer service twice and they were so helpful and fixed my situation right away. We will always fly Southwest whenever possible!" - Jill S.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Program: What's new

The new Southwest policies have made the Rapid Rewards program more enticing than ever. Offering free WiFi on all flights, it also includes perks around baggage allowance and boarding access. Here's what you need to know.

• A-List Members can check in one free bag and only need to pay $35 for a second one (this applies to up to eight additional passengers on the same booking). They can also select their preferred seats, may get extra legroom if space is available on their flight, and are guaranteed to board no later than Group 5.

• A-List Preferred Members get two free checked bags, extra legroom seats available when they book, and a guaranteed spot in boarding groups 1 or 2 (so they will be first on the plane). They can also enjoy up to two premium drinks on their flights.

Both tiers also receive other perks including access to Priority or Express lanes for checking in and priority phone support.

Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers are guaranteed to board with Group 5 unless they have access to earlier groups based on their fare. Their first checked bag is also free of charge. There are multiple tiers within the Credit Cardmember category, giving them access to different ways to earn tier qualifying points.

Final thoughts: Is Southwest a good airline?

For affordability, timeliness, and good customer service, Southwest remains one of the best airlines in North America. However, some of its recent policy changes have removed older perks like open seating, which downgraded it in the eyes of some passengers.

For now, their reliability and still relatively affordable fares keep them at the top of airline rankings.