Is it good to fly with Southwest Airlines?

Online customer reviews tend to agree with Skytrax's assessment. According to the 2022 Airline Quality Rating report, Southwest was ranked as the No. 1 airline in 2021 and 2020.



Southwest Airlines is widely considered an excellent choice for domestic travelers who value flexibility and transparency. It is the only major U.S. carrier that still offers "Two Bags Fly Free" (up to 50 lbs each), which can save a family of four over $240 in round-trip fees compared to rivals. Southwest is also famous for its "No Change Fees" policy, allowing you to cancel or rebook flights up until 10 minutes before departure for a full travel credit. However, in 2026, the experience has changed significantly: Southwest has officially retired its "Open Seating" model in favor of assigned seating to better compete with Delta and American. While some loyalists miss the old "first-come, first-served" vibe, most travelers appreciate the ability to secure a specific seat in advance. With its legendary friendly crew and high-frequency "point-to-point" network, Southwest remains a top-tier value option, particularly for those who travel with heavy luggage or need the peace of mind that their plans can change without financial penalty.

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Southwest Is A Safe Airline
They are a favorite among travelers looking for cheap flights without having to compromise on comfort or security. According to the most recent list of the world's safest airlines, Southwest was ranked in the top 15 airlines in the world in 2021, even beating out Delta, American, and United.

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Is Southwest Airlines safe? According to AirlineRatings.com, Southwest Airlines has a 7/7 safety rating in 2023. However, Southwest is no longer part of the top 20 safest airlines in the world, like it was in 2021.

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Our commitment to our Customers is seen throughout the Southwest travel experience, from our “no change fees1”, “bags fly free2”, and “flight credits don't expire3” policies to the range of benefits available through our Rapid Rewards® program.

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Chief among them are outdated internal processes and information technology. Southwest's scheduling system hasn't changed much since the 1990s, according to Captain Casey Murray, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association. Southwest has also acknowledged the company's outdated infrastructure.

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In addition to its commercial and financial success, Southwest Airlines is known for its excellent customer service. Southwest has built an impeccable reputation by putting customers first and by making sure their employees are content and financially secure.

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Online customer reviews tend to agree with Skytrax's assessment. According to the 2022 Airline Quality Rating report, Southwest was ranked as the No. 1 airline in 2021 and 2020. In addition, Southwest had the second lowest consumer complaint rate in 2021.

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Southwest Airlines safety record According to AirlineRatings.com, Southwest Airlines has a 7/7 safety rating in 2023. However, Southwest is no longer part of the top 20 safest airlines in the world, like it was in 2021.

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If you're choosing between Delta and Southwest When you factor in earnings rates, basic economy considerations, in-flight entertainment and pet friendliness, Southwest just edges out Delta.

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Like many other airlines, Southwest begins boarding about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. The similarities largely end there, though, because Southwest's boarding process is unlike any other airline thanks to its open seating policy, which means you can sit just about anywhere you want without assigned seats.

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As a result, Southwest ranked sixth for on-time performance in Dec. 2022, despite canceling 14.6% of its flights that month.

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Southwest noted the fall was due to “challenging comparisons from the pent-up travel demand surge in 2022.” The airline also mentioned higher costs for the full year, driven by higher labor costs.

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We have completed several upgrades to the software that reassigns our Crews during disruptions to improve capacity and to be able to handle different types of solutions. We increased our phone system call capacity to better handle large call volumes from both our Customers and our Flight Crews.

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These are some of the most common reasons for Southwest flight cancellations: Mechanical issues. Safety is important when flying more than 500 mph at 30,000 feet. If there's a mechanical issue, an airline will delay or cancel the flight until the problem has been fixed.

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Most major airlines canceled or delayed flights, but Southwest Airlines canceled at least 70% of its flights Monday -- more than 2,600 -- due to a reported system meltdown. The chaos continued Tuesday, with the airline canceling 62% of flights for the day and canceling 62% of flights on Wednesday.

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You ARE entitled to a full refund via your original method of payment EVEN if you booked a nonrefundable Wanna Get Away fare IF Southwest cancels the flight (and not you). You will likely have to be the one to ask them for it, but you are entitled.

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