Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines Company, more commonly referred to simply as Southwest, is not only the largest low-cost carrier in the world but also one of the most important airlines in the United States. It provides regularly scheduled service to 121 locations within the United States and ten international locations, and its headquarters are located in Dallas, Texas. As of the end of 2018, Southwest had transported more domestic passengers than any other airline in the United States. Herb Kelleher and Rollin King founded the airline on March 15, 1967, under the name Air Southwest Co. In 1971, when it began operating as an intrastate airline wholly within the state of Texas, it first flew between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, it changed its name to its current form, Southwest Airlines Co. 1979 marked the beginning of its regional interstate service, which was followed by decades of expansion across the country. Currently, Southwest provides service to airports in 42 states and other locations in Central America.

Carryon Baggage

You may carry on one bag and one personal item1. The bag should be stowed in the overhead compartment, and your small personal item should be under your seat.
Sizing up your carryon and personal item:
•    One carryon bag
•    It goes in the overhead bin
•    Size limits: 24” (L) + 16” (W) + 10” (H)
•    Examples: roller bag, a small suitcase
•    One personal carryon item
•    It goes under your seat
Size limits: must fit in the 16.25” (L) x 13.5” (W) x 8” (H)* space under the seat Examples: backpack, purse, laptop bag

Checked Baggage Basics

Each Customer is allowed two free checked bags1. Golf bag two and skis 3 count toward your free checked bag if they are within the weight limit. At the airport, check your bags using our self-tagging kiosks (where available) or with a friendly Southwest agent. Sizing up your checked bags:
•    Up to 50 pounds each
•    62 inches in size (length + width + height)
•    Three+ bags: $75 each
•    Oversized bag: $75 (max 80 inches)
•    Overweight bag: $75 (max 100 lbs.)

Online Check-in

You can check in for your flight online 24 hours before it departs. Additionally, you can print your boarding card at this time. In addition, passengers can pick up their boarding cards at a ticket counter, an E-Ticket Check-In kiosk, or a Southwest Airlines Skycap Podium (when one is present) (where available). You are required to do the following to check in online at Southwest.com®:
Check-in at the airport at least one hour before your scheduled departure time (check-in begins 24 hours before your scheduled departure time).

Fleet

Southwest Airlines operates 771 aircraft. In its history, Southwest Airlines had operated only Boeing 737 jetliners, except from 1979 to 1980 and 1983 to 1985, when it leased and operated a few Boeing 727-200s. Southwest is the largest operator of the Boeing 737 worldwide.

Additional Information

Herbert Kelleher and Rollin King established Southwest Airlines in 1966. The following year, the company became incorporated under the name Air Southwest Co. Legal action was taken by three additional airlines to stop the company from implementing its strategy, which consisted of undercutting their pricing by flying only within the state of Texas and, as a result, being exempt from numerous restrictions. The disputes were settled in 1970, and the following year, in 1971, the airline resumed regularly scheduled service between Dallas Love Field and Houston, as well as between Love Field and San Antonio, and also changed its name to Southwest Airlines Company. Southwest Airlines started operating flights to a variety of new cities inside the state of Texas in 1975, and it started flying to states that were neighboring Texas in 1979. The 1990s marked the beginning of service to the East and the Southeast. Southwest has posted a profit for the past 47 fiscal years, beginning in 1973 and continuing through 2019.