Southwest Airlines Review: Should you fly with Southwest?
Are you currently working on planning your next vacation and searching for the best bargains on airline tickets? If this describes you, then you should consider flying with Southwest Airlines. But hold off on purchasing those plane tickets until you’ve read our comprehensive evaluation first.
Southwest Airlines is a well-known and respectable airline that provides affordable fares in addition to a one-of-a-kind experience while passengers are in the air. But should you choose them as your airline for your upcoming trip?
Learn everything you need to know about Southwest Airlines by reading this review, and then decide if you want to fly with them in the future by deciding whether or not you should fly with them.
What is it that Southwest Airlines is all about?
Southwest Airlines got its beginnings in 1967 when it was formed as an intrastate airline called Air Southwest. Back then, the company was known as Southwest Air Lines. In the beginning, the airline only provided service to three airports around the state of Texas.
Since that time, Southwest Airlines has expanded to become a major airline in the United States, offering competitive and low-cost rates to over one hundred domestic destinations and ten international locations.
Southwest Airlines has flights to 42 different states in the United States, as well as Puerto Rico, Mexico, and various locations in the Caribbean and Central America. The airline’s headquarters are located in Dallas, Texas. Southwest Airlines is the largest operator of Boeing 737 jets in the world, and the airline only uses Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet.
At this time, Southwest Airlines does not offer service to any locations in Europe, Asia, or South America.
In addition, it is essential to be informed that Southwest does not provide service to the following states in the United States: Alaska, Delaware, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. If you are interested in flying to or from any of these locations, you will need to book your flight with a different airline.
How many different types of fares does Southwest Airlines offer?
On Southwest planes, there is no such thing as a business or first class seat. You got that right. On a Southwest aircraft, you won’t find any of the more traditional types of business-class or first-class seats. On the other hand, Southwest allows customers to choose from four distinct categories of tickets when making reservations: Business Select®, Anytime, Wanna Get Away PlusTM, and Wanna Get Away®.
No matter whatever cost you choose, Southwest Airlines always includes two free checked baggage, waives fees for making changes, and does not charge penalties for cancelling reservations.
Selecting Businesses in the Southwest
When you book a Business Select® fare on Southwest, you gain access to additional benefits in addition to the ones that were previously listed. These benefits include priority boarding, a complimentary premium beverage, 12 times the amount of Rapid Rewards points for every dollar spent on qualifying flights, and more. Out of the four different types of fares, this one typically comes in as the most expensive option.
Southwest at Your Convenience
When you purchase an Anytime ticket, you are granted access to EarlyBird Check-In, priority and Express Lanes, as well as 10 times the amount of Rapid Rewards points you would normally earn for every dollar spent on qualifying flights.
Southwest Would You Like to Get Away Plus?
Another option is available from Southwest Airlines for a price that is only somewhat higher than the standard cost. This alternative, which is known as Wanna Get Away PlusTM, provides its customers with a few more advantages in comparison to the standard Wanna Get Away fare. A transferable trip credit, a same-day standby list, and eight times the normal amount of Rapid Rewards points for each dollar spent on qualifying flights are some of the perks.
Southwest Wanna Get Away
The Wanna Get Away® rate, commonly referred to as the base fare, is the most affordable option for passengers flying with Southwest. You will not be able to request a refund for these fares; however, you will receive six times the Rapid Rewards points for each dollar spent on eligible flights. You will not be charged any additional money to make changes or cancel your reservation, and you will be allowed two complimentary checked bags at no additional cost. When compared to the other fare categories that Southwest provides, this particular fare category typically has the lowest overall price.
What exactly is a Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar and where can I find one?
The Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar is one of the elements that makes flying with Southwest Airlines one of the most convenient options available. This is a great tool for anyone who are travelling on a budget, going it alone, or simply seeking for a good offer.
The Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar is a feature that can be found on the airline’s website. It enables consumers to search for the lowest possible cost for the season or month in which they are planning to travel. This helps narrow down which months offer the lowest prices on flights to the destinations that you may be interested in visiting.
When flying with Southwest Airlines, finding the best deals on departure and return prices is made simple and straightforward by the low fare calendar. It is also a wonderful approach to encourage your wanderlust and get the ball rolling on the planning of an exciting vacation to a brand-new city.
When is the best time to fly southwest to get the best deal?
Reviewing the low fare calendar will allow you to identify the days of the week that Southwest Airlines offers the lowest fares, despite the fact that the company’s flights are typically less expensive than those offered by competitors such as Delta, United, and American Airlines. It is recommended that you utilise the low fare calendar frequently in order to check prices. This is due to the fact that prices for each location will vary depending on the demand and the season.
Because Southwest Airlines prohibits third-party websites and apps from selling or publishing travel fares, you won’t be able to obtain any information on Southwest Airlines flight prices on third-party websites like Google Flights. Remember to check Southwest’s website and low fare calendar if you’re looking for a good bargain on a flight to a particular location and want to discover the lowest possible price.
What kind of an experience can passengers expect to have while flying Southwest Airlines?
Flying with Southwest is a one-of-a-kind experience that is very different from flying with other airlines with whom you may be more familiar.
Southwest flights, in contrast to flights on other airlines, do not feature assigned seating. Southwest Airlines follows a policy of open seating, which means that passengers are allowed to board the plane based on the number on their boarding pass or check-in rather than their assigned seat. Although many people view the absence of allocated seating as a positive aspect of travelling with Southwest, others are less enthusiastic about this aspect of the airline.
If you want to be able to choose your precise seat and be certain that it will be reserved for you, you might want to consider flying with a different airline. If you have any reservations about taking a flight, it’s wise not to put all of your eggs in one basket and count on getting lucky on a flight with fewer passengers.
Is there the option to purchase meals when flying with Southwest Airlines?
As was just mentioned, Southwest Airlines provides low-cost tickets to a large number of locations in the United States and even to a few locations in a few other countries.
It is essential to keep in mind, however, that Southwest does not provide any kind of lunch service on any of their flights. Snacks may be provided at no additional cost on certain flights with a duration of more than two hours. Beverages such as coffee, juice, and water are provided for free on every flight, and passengers also have the option to purchase luxury beverages at an additional cost.
The airline known as Southwest Checked Baggage
Southwest permits customers to take on one personal item and one bag with dimensions of no more than 24 inches (L) x 16 inches (W) x 10 inches (H) without charging an additional fee. This is in addition to the two complimentary checked baggage that each passenger receives.
Entertainment on board flights operated by Southwest Airlines
Movies, live and on-demand TV, chatting through iMessage and WhatsApp, and music through iHeartRadio are just some of the entertainment options that are available on Southwest flights. All of these can be accessed without charge through the Southwest Airlines Inflight Entertainment Portal, which can be downloaded onto a device of the passenger’s choosing. In addition, passengers have the option to purchase internet connection for a daily fee of $8 per device.
There are no screens on the seatbacks. Access to any form of entertainment must take place solely on a user’s own personal device. Be sure to give your smartphone and tablet a full charge before you board the plane!
Is it worthwhile to fly with Southwest Airlines?
To answer your question, flying with Southwest Airlines is well worth it! The airline offers amazing features that travellers on a budget would absolutely enjoy, such as the ability to check two bags for free and affordable ticket prices. In addition, Southwest Airlines operates flights to many of the most important cities in the United States, making it a practical and affordable method to travel between the places you want to visit the most.
It is also a cost-effective method for travelling beyond the United States and visiting more nations on your travel bucket list thanks to the small number of foreign options that are accessible.
You will not be able to select your seat in advance, and there is no meal service available while you are in the air. However, considering the exceptionally low prices of the fares and the benefits, these are acceptable compromises.
Check in with Southwest regarding your upcoming travel plans to determine whether or not you are able to make the most of what the airline has to offer.
Our evaluation: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Pros:
• Two free checked baggage
• Fares that are easy on the wallet
• An extensive network of domestic and international destinations
Cons
• The prices of tickets are not displayed on Google Flights.
• Open seating with no assigned seats; there is no meal service throughout the flight
