1. Overview
Southwest Airlines provides a user-friendly online experience for planning and managing your travel. This guide offers useful tips to ensure a smooth journey from booking to check-in.
2. Booking Your Flight
Begin by navigating to the Flights section on the website. There, you can select city pairs, travel dates, number of passengers, and input any promotional codes. You may also choose your payment method, either in dollars or with Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points. On the following page, filtering options allow you to choose between nonstop or direct flights.
3. Fare Levels
Southwest Airlines offers three fare categories:
- Wanna Get Away: This is the lowest fare and is nonrefundable.
- Anytime: This fare is both refundable and changeable.
- Business Select: This option is also refundable and changeable, and it provides early boarding, additional Rapid Rewards points, and a coupon for a complimentary drink.
Depending on the airport, you may have access to Southwest’s Fly By Check-in and security lanes for added convenience.
If your travel dates are flexible, explore the Low-Fare Calendar. By entering your departure and arrival cities and selecting a month, you can view the lowest fares available each day, along with options from the three fare levels.
4. Check-In Process
After selecting your fare, consider purchasing EarlyBird Check-In. This service automatically checks you in prior to the standard 24-hour check-in, allowing for earlier boarding.
Once checked in, you receive a confirmation number, enabling you to print your boarding pass or download it to your smartphone using the iOS or Android app 24 hours before your departure. The app provides real-time flight status, boarding position, gate information, travel alerts, and weather updates.
Self-check-in kiosks are also available at airports, allowing you to print your boarding pass, upgrade to a Business Select Fare, check luggage, change your flight, or add yourself to a standby list. If you need to modify or cancel your flight, these changes can be made through the Southwest website, a smartphone or tablet, or by contacting the airline directly.
5. At the Airport
If you have your boarding pass and no luggage to check, proceed directly to your gate. For those with bags, consider using a skycap service for check-in if available, or utilize Southwest’s bag drop option. Some cities also offer Express Bag Drop, a dedicated line for travelers with boarding passes looking to check luggage more efficiently. Southwest Airlines permits travelers to check two bags at no additional cost.
