Southwest Airlines Reviews 801

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

1.7

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many customers expressed dissatisfaction with the service, highlighting issues with the booking process and increasing prices. They frequently encountered problems with customer service, describing it as unhelpful and difficult to reach. Some people were dissatisfied with the staff, noting instances of unhelpful or unprofessional behavior from flight attendants and gate personnel. However, a few other people also felt that some staff members, particularly certain flight attendants and pilots, were friendly and provided excellent service.

What people talk about most

Service

Customers consistently note negative experiences with service. Many reviewers express disappointment, citing... See more

Staff

Customers had ambiguous experiences with staff. Many reviewers praised specific flight attendants and agents... See more

Customer service

Users describe negative interactions with customer service, with many expressing disappointment and... See more

Price

Consumers find price to be negative. Many reviewers express dissatisfaction with increased costs, citing new... See more

Booking process

People report negative experiences with the booking process. Many customers express frustration with hidden... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Paid extra for Early Bird Boarding. Didn’t get automatically checked in 36 hours before flight. Was BEHIND the two pax in front of me who checked in 24 hours prior (as I did as a back up). 2 email re... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If I could give them a zero I would. This is by far the worst airline ever. The flight attendants stand around do nothing to help passengers. Boarding is ridiculous and tedious. Incident three flight... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They told me that my suitcase was too big, I zipped the expander and then it was fine. She let a bunch of people ahead of me even though it only took me a moment. The seats are plastic, uncomfor... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Horrible!! I’ve been flying for work for over 30 years. In that time I’ve experienced Southwest completely crash and burn. Just awful. Everything from taking my size compliant bag to diverting my flig... See more


Company details

  1. Travel agent
  2. Flights search site
  3. Travel deals

Information provided by various external sources

The official Southwest Airlines website with Ticketless Travel reservations, Southwest Airlines schedules and fares, and general information about Southwest Airlines.


Contact info

1.7

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

801 reviews

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Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I actually like Southwest Airlines and…

I actually like Southwest Airlines and they have a flexible cancel policy and never had issues but for the last couple months all my attempts to buy a ticket are coming up payment error with funds in my account.

I have tried multiple times spread out for weeks and still the same

4 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No Text Notification when flight was cancelled 2 hours prior to the departure time

I had booked the flight from SJC to DCA connecting at MDW for my 15-year-old son and his same-age friend for July 19th. We started driving to the airport at 5:10am for 7:25am flight. Southwest had sent an email at 5:15am stating the flight cancellation & the automatic rebooking on different flights. They reached at DCA at 11pm (vs 6pm as per original itinerary). There was no "Text" notification sent to the phone number listed in the booking. The phone number definitely would have helped us to learn about the cancellation before reaching the airport and the "text" message would have definitely helped us to choose the better itinerary compared to the unfriendly itinerary that was chosen by Southwest (multiple better itineraries were available). It was too late to pick a better itinerary after already reaching the airport. Humble request to Southwest: Please use all channels at your disposal including the text messaging when you cancel the flight just 2 hours prior to the departure time. So that it gives an opportunity for your customers to react and replan better.

19 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SWA now like other airlines

SWA has a duopoly on flying to Fort Lauderdale. I had to change my flight. The price went from $188 to $464. Congratulations SWA you are now like the other airlines.

18 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Southwest is the new Spirit Airlines

We have flown with Southwest for over 20 years and never had any bad things to say, not 1. Now there's the baggage increase this was one of our favorite perks flying with them. We just flew to Utah and has the worse delay with them and less than a month later before even getting on our flight there's a delay again. I think our time with Southwest is coming to and end.

15 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SOUTHWEST HAS LOST ITS EDGE

When you book a flight with Southwest all it tells you is "BAG FEES MAY APPLY" it does not tell you or guide you to where you need to go regarding bag fees. I had to contact Southwest to see if bag fees apply. I was told you are charged at the airport. It is just a little misleading. Southwest was the airline that was different now it is like the rest very impersonal.

12 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

HEY SOUTHWEST YOUR PROMO CODE "BIG DEAL…

HEY SOUTHWEST YOUR PROMO CODE "BIG DEAL " 50% OFF FARES. I CHECKED A FLIGHT WITH THE PROMO CODE AND WITHOUT THE PROMO CODE AND GUESS WHAT THE FARE IS THE SAME. WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT STUPID. IF YOU'RE GOING TO ADVERTISE A DISCOUNT THEN DONT TRY TO PULL A FAST ONE ON US.

8 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have already cancelled 2 SW flights…

I have already cancelled 2 SW flights due to the charge baggage issue. I pay for the CC but we have 2 cards in the family, the other person does not travel. thus I cant get my bag free with my card. I am cancelling the SW card this week and going with United. so done with SW and the management group that stole them and turned them into a joke. Next we will see that they are in bankruptcy because they were about loyalty, now they are about scamming the customer. I will not even wish them good luck, I wish them a hard fall right out of the industry.

30 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disappointed by Southwest’s Role in Deceptive Chase Card Perks

I expected better from Southwest Airlines. When I applied for the Chase Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, I did so under the assumption—based on how the card was advertised—that both I and my authorized users would get the free checked bag benefit. This turned out to be completely false. The real rule? Authorized users only get the free bag if flying on the same reservation as the primary cardholder. This is a huge limitation that was not made obvious in any of the marketing.

The fine print technically covers it, but Southwest is complicit in this misleading messaging. The airline promotes the card across its channels and website, using language that implies the benefit is broader than it is. That’s a problem. When customers make decisions based on half-truths, that’s a breach of trust.

Southwest could’ve stepped up—clarified things, taken responsibility for how the benefit was marketed, or even helped resolve the issue once I raised the concern. Instead, I was passed off to Chase, who predictably denied everything and refused to help.

I’m extremely disappointed in Southwest for allowing this kind of customer experience to be associated with its name. The airline's image has always been friendly and customer-focused. This experience made it feel like just another corporation using loyalty as a trap.

30 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Love Southwest

Ive flown Southwest for years. I fly so much we also get free companion flights. I have had zero issues in all these years which total more than 20 years.

Some folks don't care for open seating but for us, we prefer it. We checkin early and have never had to sit beyond the evac seats. We typically sit in the very first row.

I appreciate the multiple carry-ons that SW allows without any questions or hassle. Booking is a breeze as well as changes and cancellations. Other than tight seating which could be improved but other airlines are equally cramped for a much higher rate.
Their personnel, both by phone and on the aircrafts, have always been friendly, helpful and funny.

I supposed based on others reviews, we've been lucky or maybe we know our way around this airline a little better than most. I don't know. I do know that I will continue to use this airline for all the above mentioned reasons and will chose them for domestic flights over any other.

5 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I used to fly Southwest over 100…

I used to fly Southwest over 100 flights a year over five years ago I stopped because I saw the deterioration of the airline it’s employees and the way they treat people.

I bowed never to go on Southwest again a beam that I traveled with them for 16 years. I gave him another. Try this airline has now done nothing but try to make money by reducing the service for treatment and everything that set them apart.

The little bags of peanuts have now become pretzels, smaller the cups they used to be plastic have now become paper a lot smaller. The armrest on the seats have become thinner. The cushions have become thinner. The seats have become narrow. The gate service is almost nonexistent of how rude they become They now charge for bags to name a few.

One is better off flying to DFW and flying on one of the other airlines you get much better service much better snacks and if you’re gonna pay for luggage and everything else to Southwest is charging you you might as well do it with a much better airline Southwest has completely Become something that set them apart in the past at least for me I will never fly them again.

24 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Deceptive Practices

Southwest has deprived me of access to a $205 flight credit. Their customer service team has been unwilling to assist me in correcting their mistake.

I have spent over six hours discussing the issue with customer service. The customer service team available at the general call-in number says there is nothing they can do to help me. They have assured me on multiple occasions that I would receive a call back from a member of the Customer Relations Team. However, those calls are never made and when I call the customer service line to follow up I learn that my complaints have been repeatedly "closed" despite the fact that no effort has been made by Southwest to resolve the issue.

I have suffered a loss of $205, and the customer service team is unable or unwilling to assist. I have been a loyal Southwest customer for the last decade, but will choose not to fly with them in the future because their business practices are deceptive and unfair. This customer service issue has made me feel that I cannot trust them to treat me appropriately in the future.

24 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

customer service is really SUCKS flight…

customer service is really SUCKS flight got delayed in washington DC my connecting flight was still boarding right next to my arriving gate, but they would not let me on because i had a checked bag that they said would not make that flight. The next flight left 5 hours later when i got there my bag was waiting for me it was put on the original flight. I complained only to get ( well dont fly with us anymore fly with someone else) real class total BS

21 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

So many problems

So many problems! I have been a loyal Southwest customer for over 20 yrs. Been going downhill but thought I will stick it out but as of today I am just done! Between been told while I am in line to board the plane that everyone left (was first in the B line ) in the boarding area had to go find customer service area to have all our carry one bags checked because the overhead bins were already full!!! You are telling me that the 60 people who are already on the plane filled up ALLLL the ovrehead bins and now we have to leave to go checked carry ons!!!! BY the way the plane was already delayed by an hour and now it is going to be delayed more by making us go check bags. I purpose brought the smallest possible carry on and yet I am the one having to check it but letting all the people in the A section take at least 3 carry ons into the plane and that is okay?!?!?!?!?! Now mind you I was not the only one upset, some were saying should just fly the shitty airline Frontier at this point and at least they enforce their carry on sizes and amount allotments!!! NO]W this is all on top off the new policy of paying for checked bags and the issues with their credit card. Not only did they and will NOT honor their sign on bonuses for having their credit card but they still charged the annual fee even they made the screwed up with their credit card issues!!! Horrible Horrible customer service and horrible horrible resolutions team!!!! JUST DONT DEAL WITH THEM OR ANYTHING RELATED TO THEM!!!!!

17 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Southwest has officially lost me as a long time customer

Southwest has been the only airline I’ve flown for decades. The service, pricing, open seating and 2 bags flying free made it all worthwhile. All of that’s changed. And now having to fly from southeast Idaho to catch a southwest flight from SLC, is inconvenient. Today, there was a flight attendant that was unfriendly and clearly annoyed when I ordered spicy tomato juice. She about rolled her eyes and asked if I meant Bloody Mary mix!!! She was very short with me about not having my backpack under the seat. The plane was still boarding and I was grabbing things in and out of it as I was getting situated. I tried to give her some grace and smiled and became even more pheasant. But no, that was not enough. I have one more trip planned and then I’m done. Delta offers more for free, is competitive with their pricing and is more comfortable. Today was ridiculous and the last straw.

17 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Bad customer experience

Not good! Had a terrible experience with their customer service hotline not being able to do anything helpful... I needed help with a booking and everything was "not something they had the ability to do" and there was nobody they could transfer me to that could actually help. Not booking with them again

29 May 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SouthWest one bag policy

so I just got off the phone with a customer service rep at SW who is really only a human robot as they just read a script. So the changes Southwest is making are going to hurt them anyway--but to further distance customers--they have decided that if you hold a Southwest credit card with your spouse only ONE OF YOU CAN GET A FREE BAG. Even though you are both equally responsible for the bill--and you have to share the points---YOu CANNOT BOTH GET A FREE BAG. I have been with Southwest over 20 years--using the same credit card--and points and paying the bill---and do you want to know the best answer their script gives you? Get your own credit card in your own name---she never typed the conversation---didn't offer to send me to someone who might help--even offer a place to send a formal complaint--Southwest's new CEO DOES NOT CARE ABOUT CUSTOMERS--OR LOYALTY ONLY THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR---so I guess that is the course the customers have to follow from this point on---

27 May 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DO NOT book through Southwest…

DO NOT book through Southwest Vacations!! I should have checked TrustPilot first instead of trusting just because of the Southwest name. After 31 years of flying Southwest almost exclusively, I'm incredibly disappointed by my recent experience. It turns out the cost paid through Southwest Vacations is significantly more than if I'd gone directly to the hotel's website. After an hour and a half on the phone, the best they would offer was an entire vacation package cancelation which will cause me to lose my original flights and give me credit for another vacation package, leaving me to still have to go through a system where they are hiking rates.
On calling Southwest Airlines, the rep said only Customer Support (through email) could help. The response from Customer Support sounded like it was from a chat bot and referred me to a list Rapid Rewards Partners for points. Every contact point is a dead end.

26 May 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They were bought by an equity group…

They were bought by an equity group last year and that group has stripped every resource for them and trimmed them down so much that their operational stuff is a disaster now. They are never on time. Not worth the small amount of savings. I would avoid. Worst airline.

19 May 2025
Unprompted review

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