Southwest Airlines Flights: Compare & Book Cheap Fares
Southwest now uses assigned seating and sells four fare bundles: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra. Search available Southwest flight options, then review the operating carrier, seat, baggage, flexibility, rewards conditions and final price before booking.
Camli is an independent online travel agency and is not presented as affiliated with or endorsed by Southwest Airlines. Southwest serves more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Hawaii, but routes, schedules and availability change. Use this page to compare available Southwest itineraries and understand the current decisions behind the displayed fare. Southwest’s old open-seating and universally free-checked-bag reputation no longer describes every booking. The airline now assigns seats, uses Standard, Preferred and Extra Legroom seat categories, and applies different baggage, flexibility, credit and Rapid Rewards conditions by fare and traveler eligibility. The lowest displayed fare may not be the lowest total for a traveler who needs advance seat selection, checked bags or greater flexibility.
How to Compare Southwest Flights on Camli
Use Camli to search available Southwest itineraries for your route and dates. Before purchase, confirm which airline operates every segment, compare the four fare bundles, review seat-selection timing, check the baggage allowance attached to the exact traveler and itinerary, and read the change, cancellation, credit and Rapid Rewards conditions. Southwest states that fare price and availability are not guaranteed until ticket issuance and that optional-service charges are separate, so review the final itinerary and total instead of relying on a sample fare or a general savings claim.
What to review before booking
- Review Current Options: Search available Southwest itineraries for your route and dates
- Compare Fare Bundles: Check seat, baggage, change, credit and points conditions before choosing
- Confirm the Operating Carrier: Partner itineraries may use another airline with different rules
- Keep the Issuing Channel: Save the agency or airline contact that issued the ticket for post-booking help
Southwest Airlines Cabin Classes
Southwest sells four fare bundles with Standard, Preferred and Extra Legroom seat options. Compare seat timing, flexibility, baggage, boarding and qualifying rewards for the exact fare; benefits and availability vary.
| Cabin | Seat | Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Standard seat assigned at check-in unless another eligible benefit or paid option applies | Changes require an upgrade to an eligible fare; cancellation rules and timing still apply; Nontransferable flight credit generally expires six months from booking or ticketing; Earns 2 Rapid Rewards points per dollar on qualifying base fare; Standard checked bags are charged unless a fare, status, card or other exception applies | Compare when: Travelers prioritizing the lowest displayed fare who can accept limited flexibility and later seat assignment |
| Choice | Standard seat selection at booking, subject to availability | Changes are allowed without an airline change fee; fare and tax differences may apply; Eligible cancellation can create a Transferable Flight Credit with a 12-month validity period; Includes eligible same-day benefits under Southwest’s current fare and channel rules; Earns 6 Rapid Rewards points per dollar on qualifying base fare | Compare when: Travelers comparing advance Standard-seat selection with a changeable fare and credit flexibility |
| Choice Preferred | Preferred or Standard seat selection at booking, subject to availability | Extra Legroom seats may be purchased if available; Current boarding treatment is generally Groups 3–4 unless a stronger benefit applies; Refundability, changes and same-day benefits remain subject to current Choice Preferred and ticket rules; Earns 10 Rapid Rewards points per dollar on qualifying base fare | Compare when: Travelers who value a seat nearer the front and a more flexible fare than Basic or Choice |
| Choice Extra | An available Extra Legroom seat or other available seat at booking | Current fare benefit includes Group 1 boarding unless a stronger tier benefit applies; Two standard checked bags are included subject to Southwest’s published conditions; Refundability, changes and same-day benefits remain subject to current Choice Extra and ticket rules; Earns 14 Rapid Rewards points per dollar on qualifying base fare | Compare when: Travelers comparing included seat and bag benefits with the price of Southwest’s highest fare bundle |
Explore Southwest Routes
Use the six route links below to start a new search for the same origin and destination pairs that appeared on this page before treatment. They do not represent fixed fares, guaranteed availability, popularity rankings or savings claims. Travel dates, passenger count, fare bundle, connections, operating carrier and current inventory determine the options shown in a live search.
| Route | Search |
|---|---|
| Dallas (DAL) → Chicago (MDW) | Search flights |
| Baltimore (BWI) → Orlando (MCO) | Search flights |
| Denver (DEN) → Las Vegas (LAS) | Search flights |
| Oakland (OAK) → Honolulu (HNL) | Search flights |
| Phoenix (PHX) → Seattle (SEA) | Search flights |
| Chicago (MDW) → Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | Search flights |
Open a route search for current itinerary and fare details. These links do not represent fixed fares or guaranteed availability.
Southwest Airlines Baggage Allowance
Southwest no longer includes two checked bags for every traveler. For U.S. Mainland travel booked, ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026, Southwest currently lists $45 for the first standard bag and $55 for the second on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred when no exception applies. For eligible U.S. Mainland tickets issued before that date, the page lists $35 and $45. Fare, status, card, itinerary, operating-carrier, size, weight and other exceptions apply. One carry-on and one personal item remain included subject to Southwest’s limits. Use the linked Southwest charges page and Camli baggage and carry-on guides for details, then confirm the allowance on the exact booking.
| Cabin | Carry-On | Checked Bags | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dated U.S. Mainland snapshot | 1 carry-on + 1 personal item, subject to published limits | $45 first / $55 second for Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred booked, ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026; eligible earlier tickets may use $35 / $45 | Check exact booking and current policy |
| Fare, status and card exceptions | 1 carry-on + 1 personal item, subject to published limits | Choice Extra and A-List Preferred may include 2 standard bags; A-List and eligible cardmembers may include 1 | Eligibility and published limits apply |
Southwest Airlines Check-In Guide
Southwest’s public check-in page says check-in becomes available 24 hours before the flight. Use Southwest’s Check In or Manage Flight tools with the confirmation and passenger details accepted by the airline, then review the assigned seat, boarding group, baggage needs and day-of-travel messages. Airport, bag-drop and gate cutoffs vary. For an agency-issued ticket, keep the issuing agency’s confirmation and ticket details: the agency may control its own reissue or refund, while Southwest handles check-in, flight operations and some airline-initiated changes. If Southwest reissues the ticket, control of later exchanges or cancellations may move to Southwest.
Opens: 24 hours before the flight | Methods: Southwest Check In, Manage Flight, app or eligible airport channel | Boarding Pass: Digital or printed where offered
- Open Southwest Check In or Manage Flight and enter the requested confirmation and passenger details
- Verify the operating carrier, airports, flight times and any day-of-travel message
- Review the assigned seat or available seat options and the boarding group
- Confirm baggage needs and the allowance or fee attached to the exact traveler and itinerary
- Save or print the boarding pass where the airport and itinerary support it
- Keep the issuing agency or airline ticket details for changes, refunds or reissues after purchase
Southwest Booking Checklist
- Confirm the operating carrier for every segment; partner itineraries may use another airline with different rules.
- Compare Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra by seat timing, baggage, flexibility, credit or refund treatment, boarding and qualifying points.
- Review the ticket or change date and traveler eligibility before relying on a checked-bag amount or included-bag benefit.
- Read the change, cancellation, same-day and flight-credit terms attached to the exact fare before purchase.
- Add the Rapid Rewards number during booking if desired, then verify that the itinerary, operating carrier and channel qualify for earning.
- Keep the issuing agency or airline confirmation and ticket details so you know where to start for post-booking help.
Camli Southwest Policy Guides
Official Southwest Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Southwest still include two free checked bags for every traveler?
- No. Southwest’s current rules depend on fare, ticket or change date, itinerary, status, eligible card benefits and other exceptions. For qualifying U.S. Mainland travel booked, ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026, Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred currently list $45 for the first standard bag and $55 for the second when no exception applies. Choice Extra and some eligible travelers receive included bags. Check the current allowance for the exact booking.
- What is the difference between Southwest Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra?
- The bundles differ in when and which seat you may select, boarding treatment, checked-bag inclusion, change and cancellation terms, credit or refund treatment, same-day benefits and qualifying Rapid Rewards earning. Compare the inclusions shown beside the exact fare because availability and eligibility conditions apply.
- Does Southwest use assigned seating now?
- Yes. Southwest states that all flights now use assigned seating. Basic generally receives a Standard seat at check-in, while Choice and higher fares include different seat-selection options at booking, subject to availability and any tier or card benefit.
- When can I check in for a Southwest flight?
- Southwest says check-in becomes available 24 hours before the flight. Airport, bag-drop and gate cutoffs vary, so review the day-of-travel requirements and messages for the specific itinerary.
- Does Southwest charge a fee to change or cancel a flight?
- Southwest’s current fare and GDS policies say the airline does not charge a change or cancellation fee, but fare and tax differences, Basic restrictions, cancellation timing and ticket-validity rules can still affect the outcome. Review the terms of the exact ticket before acting.
- How do I manage a Southwest ticket purchased through Camli or another agency?
- Keep the issuing agency’s confirmation and ticket details. Southwest provides Check In and Manage Flight tools for eligible bookings, but the issuing agency may control its own ticket reissue or refund. If Southwest reissues the ticket or handles an airline-initiated change, later control can move to Southwest.
- Can a Southwest ticket purchased through an agency earn Rapid Rewards points?
- Some qualifying agency-issued Southwest tickets can earn at the applicable fare rate, but the itinerary, operating carrier, payment, booking method and Rapid Rewards number timing matter. Add the number during booking when possible and verify the current qualifying-flight rules. Award redemption and some ancillary actions require Southwest’s direct channels.
- Where should I check Southwest family, accessibility, pet or unaccompanied-minor rules?
- Use Southwest’s current assigned-seating, accessibility, pet and unaccompanied-minor guidance for the exact trip. Camli also has dedicated Southwest policy pages for detailed reading. Some special-service and pet actions require direct Southwest or airport handling rather than an agency booking channel.
Compare Southwest Flight Options
Review route, fare bundle, seat, baggage, operating-carrier and final-price details before booking.