Southwest Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines, with more than 100 routes across the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The Dallas-based budget carrier has traditionally boasted a unique approach, from its generous flight change and cancellation policies to its unusual airline code (WN).
But Southwest has recently rolled out major changes, most notably ending its open-seating policy and two free checked bags per passenger in 2025; up next is a new fare bundle pricing model. Time will tell how the market responds, but Southwest is making a strong bid to attract new passengers while keeping its customer base happy. Here’s what to know if you’re considering flying Southwest.
Recent changes at Southwest: What passengers should know
Southwest’s moves to end its longstanding baggage and open seating policies have been highly publicized – and met with strong criticism from both customers and aviation insiders. And there’s more to come: Southwest’s new fare “bundles,” which will roll out during Q3 2025 for flights starting in 2026.
What to know about Southwest’s new assigned seats
Replacing its longstanding open seating is a similar model to legacy carriers: extra legroom seats at the front of the cabin and in exit rows, followed by preferred seats and standard seats.
The highest-priced category, extra legroom seats, (those in the front few rows as well as exit rows) will come with 34 inches of legroom, plus other benefits like early boarding and premium snacks. The middle tier is preferred seats, which have 31 inches of legroom but are closer to the front of the aircraft. Standard seats, the lowest priced, also have 31 inches of legroom but are located in the back half of the aircraft.
Southwest’s new fare bundles: What to know
Starting in the third quarter of 2025, passengers will be able to book early 2026 flights according to Southwest’s new pricing model, which it calls “fare bundles.” Similar to that of other budget carriers, the new format features four different fare categories: Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, Choice, and Basic.
Each comes with various included benefits, with the Choice Extra being the most generous (but expensive). Basic is the most bare-bones category, with no seat assignment in advance and the last boarding group.
You can now fly redeyes on Southwest
In early 2025, Southwest began operating its first red-eye flights on five initial routes. Those routes are Las Vegas (LAS) to Baltimore (BWI) and Orlando (MCO); Los Angeles (LAX) to Baltimore and Nashville (BNA); and Phoenix (PHX) to Baltimore. The carrier expects to continue to scale up its redeye routes for additional transcontinental connectivity, as well as flights to Hawaii.
You can now book Southwest flights with points and cash
As of April 2024, Southwest passengers can book flights with a combination of points and cash – a handy option also available on some other carriers. This is a helpful way to snag a flight if you don’t have enough points for a full redemption.
Southwest’s baggage and change/cancellation policies
In May 2025, Southwest officially phased out its beloved baggage policy of two free checked bags per passenger, the most generous in commercial aviation. The development made a huge splash among passengers, many of whom (myself included) were not happy.
Now, only Southwest passengers with elite status (Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members) will receive two free checked bags. Meanwhile, A-List Members and Rapid Rewards credit card holders will receive their first checked bag for free.
All other passengers must pay a checked baggage fee, which is in line with that of other major domestic carriers. All passengers also are allowed a free carry-on bag and a personal item.
The good news is that Southwest still has a fairly generous cancellation policy (at least, for now). Passengers can cancel their flight up to a mere 10 minutes prior to departure and will receive travel credit or a cash refund, depending on the type of ticket purchased.
Another big advantage with the cancellation policy: Depending on the fare category, some travel credits never expire, unlike on most legacy carriers. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Southwest keeps that policy in place, especially since checked bags are no longer free. That flexibility is especially helpful for travelers who may need to change their flight at the last minute.
The onboard experience with Southwest: What to expect
As with other budget carriers, Southwest’s onboard experience isn’t especially memorable. There are no seat back screens or meal service, and you’ll pay for alcoholic beverages. But snacks and soft drinks are free, and many aircraft are equipped with wifi that allows streaming from its entertainment system; messaging also is possible. But be sure to download the Southwest app beforehand to take advantage.
What to know about Southwest Rapid Rewards Program
There is a lot to like about the Southwest Rapid Rewards program: unlimited rewards seats, no blackout dates, and points that don’t expire. The program is refreshingly simple to understand – and it’s a cinch to book a flight with points, too. One main downside, however: Unlike legacy carriers, Southwest does not belong to an airline alliance. So you can’t use points to book with other airline partners.
How to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards
The most straightforward way to earn Southwest points: flying with the airline. However, points are based on money spent, not miles flown. Therefore, how many points you earn depends on the type of fare you book (and whether you’re an elite flyer).
Not surprisingly, the cheapest fares earn the lowest amount of points (2X per dollar), while the spendiest earn double at 14X per dollar. If there’s not much price difference between fares, choosing the higher fare can be well worth it for the bump in points.
Other ways to earn points beyond flying Southwest
The program partners with well-known hotel brands including Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt and rental car agencies such as Alamo and Hertz, among others. How many points you’ll earn varies depending on the partner. Before booking, it’s smart to see if your hotel or rental car is eligible. (And since partners and point allocations can change, be sure to do some homework beforehand.)
Finally, don’t forget about Southwest Rapid Rewards’ exclusive shopping portal – a lesser-known but effective way to earn points. Its 1,100 retail partners include big-name department stores, outdoor retailers, and plenty more, which let savvy shoppers score major points on online purchases. You can typically earn from 2X to 5X points per dollar spent on eligible purchases. There’s a dining portal, too, which partners with major restaurant chains.
The new Cash + Points booking option: What to know
I love that Southwest flights are now bookable with both cash and points. During the booking process, just look for the Cash + Points button, which will display the various combinations you can choose. If you cancel a reservation booked with this form of payment, the remaining point balance will go back to your Rapid Rewards account (or whichever one was used to book). Unused taxes or fees will be refunded directly or as a flight credit.
The famous Southwest Companion Pass: How to get one
Earn enough Rapid Rewards points (or spend enough on Southwest flights), and you can snag the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass. Consistently earning rave reviews among passengers and on points sites, this gem entitles you to bring a guest on any Southwest flight for a calendar year (or more).
To be eligible, you’ll need 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 (or more) qualifying flights in a calendar year. If you manage that (and plenty of passengers do), you’ll be granted a companion pass for that calendar year and the following one. The only caveat: Taxes and fees on companion fares still apply. But those are a fraction of what you’d pay for full-fare flights.
Love Field: A reason to book Southwest out of Dallas
To the surprise of some first-time passengers, Southwest has an airport almost all its own: Dallas Love Field (LUV). Located about six miles northwest of Dallas, this airport, a former military facility named after an Army pilot, can offer a big advantage for booking Southwest flights out of Dallas.
With just 20 gates and a single runway, LUV is smaller and much easier to navigate than its crosstown cousin, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Southwest operates 18 out of those 20 gates (Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines each have one).This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
