Southwest Airlines stands out in 2026 due to its unique "bags fly free" policy, allowing two checked bags per passenger at no extra cost, a rarity in the modern aviation industry. Historically, the airline was famous for its open seating and no-assigned-seats policy; however, for travel starting in early 2026, Southwest has transitioned to assigned seating across its fleet. Despite this shift, it maintains a distinct "point-to-point" flight model rather than the traditional "hub-and-spoke" system, often operating out of secondary airports to reduce delays. Another major differentiator is the absence of change or cancellation fees; passengers receive a flight credit that never expires if they cancel at least 10 minutes before departure. Furthermore, Southwest operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, which streamlines maintenance and training, allowing them to maintain high-fidelity operational efficiency while offering a quirky, friendly culture often characterized by humorous flight attendant announcements.