If you're still wondering if you should fly Southwest Airlines, the answer is yes for anyone who lives near a hub or travels frequently on a route serviced by the airline.

Southwest Airlines remains one of the safest major carriers in the world in 2026. Despite operational challenges like the 2022 holiday "meltdown" and recent shifts in its business model (such as the 2025/2026 transition to assigned seating and extra-legroom options), its core safety record is robust. Southwest operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet and follows rigorous FAA-mandated maintenance and training schedules. The airline has successfully integrated the 737 MAX back into full service with an exemplary safety record over the last several years. While the airline has undergone significant corporate changes recently—including its first-ever layoffs and the ending of its "two free bags" policy for basic fares—none of these financial or operational shifts have compromised its fundamental commitment to flight safety and pilot training standards.