Does Southwest have complimentary food?

Southwest currently serves 18 different complimentary beverages, as well as peanuts or pretzels on every flight, and provides popular Snack Packs on longhaul flights for free.



As of 2026, Southwest Airlines continues its tradition of providing complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks rather than full meals. On flights longer than 251 miles, passengers typically receive a standard snack, such as Stellar Pretzel Braids. For morning departures on these routes, Remy's Grahams are often served, while flights exceeding 1,551 miles (including those to Hawaii) offer an enhanced selection that may include OREO Cookies, Ritz Cheese Crackers, or Bobo's Oat Bites. While these light snacks are "on the house," more substantial food is not available for purchase onboard, so it is a peer-to-peer "best practice" to eat before boarding or bring a meal with you. Alcoholic beverages, including premium spirits and Hawaii-exclusive options like Kona Brewing Big Wave Golden Ale, are available for purchase using contactless payment methods.

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Economy class meal service varies by flight time: flights under 2 hours: a snack. flights over 2 hours: a main meal. flights over 7 hours: a main meal and snack.

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Check your flights itinerary and it'll either specify what, if any meals are served, or it will say food for purchase. Non-alcoholic drinks are still free on airlines. If it is that important, make sure to have snacks handy.

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Some airlines offer food-for-purchase on-board. Nothing is free these days. Check your flights itinerary and it'll either specify what, if any meals are served, or it will say food for purchase. Non-alcoholic drinks are still free on airlines. If it is that important, make sure to have snacks handy.

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Sharp, heavy, and other dangerous items are restricted on all commercial airline flights, including Southwest. Items such as sharp knives, bats, clubs, ski-poles, snow globes and most tools and weapons must be checked rather than packed in a carry-on. Explosives and fuels may not be carried by air at all.

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Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags within the continental United States. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.

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Foods you can't pack in your carry-on
Think: creamy cheeses, liquid chocolate, liquid coffee, creamy dips and spreads, gravy, honey, hummus, ice cream, jam, jelly, juice, syrup, peanut butter, salad dressing, sauce, salsa, soda, soup and yogurt.

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1 - Luggage: The travel tips have useful information about luggage, and as a reminder, please don't expand your carryon roller bag because it won't fit in the overhead bins. 2 - Pillows and Blankets: Southwest Airlines is one of the few airlines that still provides complimentary pillows and blankets for our passengers.

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Yes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow you to bring sandwiches through airport security in your carry-on baggage. If the sandwiches aren't already pre-packaged, they should be wrapped or placed in a resealable bag or container with a secure lid.

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Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. TSA officers make the final decision on whether certain items are permitted into the secured areas of the airport.

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Southwest Airlines allow for one carry-on bag (duffel, carry-on suitcase, etc) and one personal item, which would typically be a purse, a backpack, or a briefcase.

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Southwest Airlines (WN) allows 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) per passenger fee free. Carry-on should not exceed the following size and weight restrictions: 50 linear inches (24 x 16 x 10 in) or 127 centimeters (61 x 41 x 28 cm) including handles and wheels.

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Domestic carry-on policies. A good rule of thumb is that if your carry-on bag fits under the seat in front of you, it's considered a personal item. This includes small backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags, etc. Larger bags, including suitcases, must fit in the overhead bin compartment.

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flights under 2 hours: a snack. flights over 2 hours: a main meal. flights over 7 hours: a main meal and snack. flights over 12 hours: two main meals and a snack.

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Generally, on long-haul flights food is served shortly after start and then again shortly before landing. As a rule, the higher the class, the closer to takeoff/landing the food will be served. Because there are less people in higher classes, it's faster to go around with the drinks first.

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Economy class meal service varies by flight time: flights under 2 hours: a snack. flights over 2 hours: a main meal. flights over 7 hours: a main meal and snack.

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