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Southwest Airlines flights and information

Airline Overview

Southwest began as a small, Texas-based airline 36 years ago. The short-haul, discount airline now offers flights to 63 cities across America and is the largest airline in the country by numbers of passengers carried.

Telephone

Reservations: 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792); 1-800-VAMONOS (1-800-826-6667) - En Español.

Website

www.southwest.com

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Check-in

You can check in online, at check-in desks, at the departure gate or at the self-service kiosks. Check-in times vary by airport, but Southwest suggests arriving between 60 and 90 minutes before your flight is due to depart.

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Baggage

Carry-on: One item not more than 50 linear inches (length+ width + height).

Checked: Fortunately, checking one or two regulation-sized bags with Southwest is free.

Excess: If you plan on packing a third (up to the ninth) bag, or one of your two free bags weighs between 51-70 pounds, you’ll be charged $50 per bag. A tenth bag will cost $110.

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Legroom

Seat pitch: 32–33 inches.

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Pre-assigned Seating

Southwest Airlines operates an open-seating policy, though passengers are boarded in three tiers (those with boarding cards "A" first, followed by "B", followed by "C"), so it pays to check-in early.

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Passenger Change Details

For fully refundable tickets, changes or refunds can be made online by canceling your flight reservation or by calling the reservations number (below).

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Child Fares

Infants under two years of age can travel for free, if traveling on an adult's lap. Youth fares are available for those between 12 and 22, but are not available online and must be booked at the reservation center. Unaccompanied children five through 11 must travel as unaccompanied minors; a form for this can be filled out online, or you can book at the reservations number.

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Senior Fares

Available for those 65+. Prices vary from city to city. Senior airfares are fully refundable and exchangeable. Fares can be booked online or at the reservations number.

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Pets

Pets are not accepted on any Southwest Airlines flights, with the exception of service animals, like seeing-eye dogs.

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Carrying Musical Instruments

Musical instruments can be carried on if they meet the size requirements for carry-on items. You can also purchase a seat for a large or fragile instrument at a child's fare rate but an instrument cannot be carried in place of a free companion under any fare promotion.

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In-flight Service

On a series of flights that are at least two hours long, peanuts and pretzels will be served. On non-stop flights at least two hours long, a packaged snack will be served. Complimentary tea, coffee and non-alcoholic drinks are available. Beer, wine or cocktails are available for purchase.

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Air Miles

Rapid Rewards allows you to earn miles when you fly Southwest. Rapid Rewards are based on the number of flights you make, rather than the miles you travel and redeemed with a number of partners, including Alamo, Budget, Hertz and Hilton.

 

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Airline Food Link

There’s nothing like heading up in the skies to work up an appetite. Check out the airline’s menu before you fly so you can decide if you need to bring any extras. See photographs taken by fellow flyers of meals they’ve been served and read reviews at AirlineMeals.net.

 

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In-flight Magazine

Moby Dick, War and Peace, Leaves of Grass… Do you need to pack a weighty tome or will the in-flight magazine keep you happily occupied for the duration of the flight? Spirit, Southwest's in-flight magazine is available on every flight. Read a preview online.

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Airline Alliances

None.

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