SeatSmart

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines (WN) is a Full-Service airline based in USA, with its main hub at Dallas Love Field. Browse seat maps, carry-on baggage rules, and fleet information.

Southwest Airlines is the largest domestic US carrier by passengers carried, operating an all-Boeing 737 fleet with an open-seating model unlike any other major US airline — passengers choose their own seats after boarding in their assigned group. Southwest is famous for including two free checked bags with every fare, no change fees, and a network built around point-to-point routes rather than hub-and-spoke. Its primary operating bases include Dallas Love Field, Atlanta, Chicago Midway, Denver, Las Vegas, Baltimore, and Phoenix.

Airline Information

  • IATA code: WN
  • Country: USA
  • Hub: Dallas Love Field
  • Alliance: Independent
  • Tier: Full-Service
  • Customer support: 1-800-435-9792

Cabin Classes

  • Wanna Get Away: Southwest's lowest everyday fare — refundable only as travel credit, earns 6 points per dollar, and requires advance purchase. No seat classes exist; all seats on the plane are identical 3-3 leather seats.
  • Wanna Get Away Plus: A step up with transferable travel credits (can be gifted to another traveler), same-day standby, and 8 points per dollar. Introduced in 2022 as an intermediate tier.
  • Anytime: Fully refundable to original payment, earns 10 points per dollar, and qualifies for Business Select upgrades at check-in. Higher flexibility for business travelers who need to change plans.
  • Business Select: Southwest's premium fare: A1–A15 boarding position (among the very first to board), 12 points per dollar, a complimentary premium drink, and priority security access at select airports. Same seats as all other fares — the value is early boarding and first pick of any seat.

Rapid Rewards Loyalty Program

Elite tiers: A-List (25 qualifying one-way flights or 35,000 tier qualifying points per year) and A-List Preferred (50 qualifying flights or 70,000 tier qualifying points)

The Companion Pass is Southwest's most coveted benefit — earn 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year and a designated companion flies with you free (plus taxes) on every flight for the remainder of that year and all of the next. A-List members receive priority boarding, free same-day standby, and a 25% earning bonus. A-List Preferred adds free Wi-Fi.

In-Flight Wi-Fi

Available on all Southwest flights

Cost: $8 per day; free for A-List Preferred members on all flights

Southwest uses a satellite-based Wi-Fi system that covers the full route network. Live TV is streamed free through the Southwest app (no purchase required). A-List Preferred members receive complimentary Wi-Fi automatically when logged into their Rapid Rewards account.

Pro Tips

  • Set an alarm for exactly 24 hours before departure — online check-in opens then, and checking in at the earliest second gives you the best boarding position and the best seat selection.
  • Business Select fares guarantee an A1–A15 boarding position, which virtually assures a window or aisle seat anywhere on the plane. Worth it on longer flights with a full plane.
  • Southwest's 737-800 has a 3-3 layout with 143 seats — exit rows 16 and 17 have extra legroom (38 in) but no reclining seats. Row 12 (the emergency exit) also has extra room.
  • The Companion Pass is one of the best travel deals in the US — target it by opening a Southwest credit card when the sign-up bonus counts toward the 135,000-point threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southwest's open seating work?

Southwest does not assign seats at booking. Instead, passengers receive a boarding group (A, B, or C) and a position number (1–60+) based on when they check in. Boarding opens 24 hours before departure. You then walk onto the plane in that order and choose any available seat — window, middle, or aisle.

Does Southwest charge for checked bags?

No — Southwest includes two free checked bags (up to 50 lbs each) with every fare, including its cheapest Wanna Get Away tickets. This is unique among major US carriers and can make the total cost competitive even if the base fare appears higher than rivals.

What is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Companion Pass?

The Companion Pass lets one designated companion fly with you on every Southwest flight for free (just taxes and fees) for the remainder of the calendar year you earned it plus the entire following year. To earn it, you must accumulate 135,000 Rapid Rewards qualifying points in a single calendar year — points from flights, co-branded credit card spend, and partner purchases all count.

Does Southwest have first class or premium seating?

No — Southwest operates a single all-economy cabin. All seats are identical. The distinction between fares (Wanna Get Away, Anytime, Business Select) is about flexibility, boarding position, and points earning, not the seat itself. Business Select guarantees an A1–A15 boarding position so you can choose the best available seat.

What airports does Southwest fly from?

Southwest operates from more than 100 airports across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Its largest operating bases are Dallas Love Field (DAL), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), Chicago Midway (MDW), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Baltimore (BWI), and Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX).