Southwest Airlines

Airline info

  • Address: 2702 Love Field Drive, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
  • Contact number: +1 1 800 435 9792
  • Website: www.southwest.com
  • IATA code/ICAO code: WN / SWA

On-time performance and safety record

  • On time performance (2022): 78.3%
  • Average age of fleet (2023): 12.5 years
  • Major accidents in last 10 years: 4
  • Accidents with fatalities: 1
  • Airlineratings** safety rating: 7/7
  • Covid-19 safety*** rating: 7/7
** AIRLINERATINGS SAFETY RATING is based on a comprehensive analysis of crash and pilot related serious incident data combined with audits from the world’s aviation governing body ICAO and leading association, IATA, along with the latest COVID-19 compliance data. Each airline has the potential to earn a maximum of seven stars. See also www.airlineratings.com
*** COVID-19 SAFETY RATING takes into consideration seven factors for each airline: COVID-19 website information and instructions, social distancing on boarding, Flight Attendant personal protection equipment, face masks compulsory, meal service modified, passenger sanitizer kit, deep clean of aircraft. Each airline has the potential to earn a maximum of seven stars. See also www.airlineratings.com

Founded by the legendary Herb Kelleher, Southwest Airlines was the first low-cost airlines in the world when it started operations back in 1971. His business model was so revolutionary in those times that after incorporating the company initially as “Air Southwest Co.” in 1967, Kelleher faced four years of setbacks and legal challenges from competitors that culminated in winning key cases before the Supreme Court of the United States in December 1970 and the Supreme Court of Texas in June 1971. The first flights finally took off on June 18, 1971. Today, SW is the world’s largest LCC and the N°1 airline in the US in terms of domestic passengers. It flies to 100+ destinations across the US, the Caribbean and Central America. In many instances, Southwest flies to smaller airports in major cities (such as Chicago Midway and Dallas Love Field) in an effort to reduce costs. Its 700+ aircraft fleet is made entirely by Boeing 737 (in an all-economy configuration), including the latest model, the MAX 8 (Photo Wikimedia Commons / Quintin Soloviev)

  • Name: Southwest Airlines
  • Date founded: March 15, 1967 – commenced operations on June 18, 1971
  • IATA code/ICAO code: WN / SWA
  • CEO: Gary Kelly
  • Address: 2702 Love Field Drive, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
  • Contact number: +1 1 800 435 9792
  • Website: www.southwest.com
  • Hub: Dallas (DAL)
  • Focus cities: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago (MDW), Denver, Houston (HOU), Las Vegas, Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland, Orlando (MCO), Phoenix (PHX)
  • Airline alliance: None
  • Frequent flyer programme: Rapid Rewards
  • Fleet:

    731 aircraft

    • 47 Boeing 737 MAX 8 / 175 seats
    • 207 Boeing 737-800 / 175 seats
    • 477 Boeing 737-700 / 143 seats
  • Type of carrier: Low-cost
  • Skytrax* rating: 4-STAR
  • * SKYTRAX (www.skytraxratings.com) is the most prestigious independent rating agency in commercial aviation. Its five stars rating system regarding airline quality has become a status symbol for carriers around the world. Here is what the stars stand for:

    • - 5 STARS: Awarded to airlines achieving a very high, overall quality performance. It recognizes high standards of onboard product together with consistent and excellent standards of staff service across airport and cabin environments
    • - 4 STARS: Awarded to airlines that deliver a good overall quality performance and provide good product standards across different travel cabins
    • - 3 STARS: Awarded to airlines delivering a fair quality performance equating to the industry 'average' of acceptable product and service standards
    • - 2 STARS: Shows airlines delivering a lower total quality performance, in some instances below the industry average across many rating categories
    • - 1 STAR: Represents a poor quality of product delivered across the assessment sectors
  • Checked luggage:

    Southwest Airlines allows two pieces of checked baggage per ticketed customer as long as they do  not exceed 23kg and 62 inches in length, width and height; any extra piece of baggage will cost 75USD per piece

  • Pre-selection of seat:

    Costs vary between 30USD and 40USD depending on destination and the type of seat selected

  • Priority check-in:

    Can be purchased through the Southwest Early Bird package with costs varying from 15USD to 25USD depending on the airport

  • Fast track at security:

    The Business Select package gives access to priority security lanes in any airport in the US served by Southwest

  • Access to lounge:

    No

  • Priority boarding:

    Accessible through the Upgraded Boarding package at a price between 30USD and 50USD depending on the destination

  • Seat pitch:
    • 31 inches (79cm) on the B737 MAX 8, B737-800 and B737-700
  • Seat width:
    • 17.5 inches (45cm) on the B737 MAX 8;
    • 17 inches (43cm) on the B737-800 and B737-700
  • USB port and power socket:

    No info available

  • Lie-flat seat:

    No

  • Vanity kit:

    No

  • IFE screen width:

    No individual screens available onbord

  • Wi-fi:

    Available on all aircraft for 8USD on a per day basis

  • Inflight magazine:

    Southwest; The Magazine

  • Onboard kit for kids:

    No

  • Food and beverages:

    Pretzels are complimentary as well as non-alcoholic beverages; other snacks, cocktails, beer and wine can be purchased onboard

  • Upgraded meals in Premium Economy: Not available
  • Dine on demand in Business Class: Not available
  • Pets:

    Dogs and cats are allowed in the passenger cabin, except for on international flights; transportation fee is 95USD

Gallery

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