#Southwest airlines checked bag free#

Poorer on-time performance compared to Delta and United.Southwest compensated affected customers with refunds and extra rewards points, and has announced changes to its operations.ĭespite the meltdown last year, we still think the airline is a good choice for families that need to stay flexible while traveling without paying an arm and a leg. Because Southwest does not partner with other major airlines, it was not able to rebook passengers on competitors’ flights to help ease the strain on its systems.

The airline did make headlines over the holidays after disruption from a winter storm cascaded into the cancellation of more than 15,000 flights. But that practice allows families with young children to board the plane early - between groups A and B - to facilitate them sitting together. Fans enjoy the carrier's low fares and lack of extra charges Southwest doesn't charge to you switch or cancel flights, for example, and you can check two bags for free.įor some, the fact that Southwest also doesn't assign seats to travelers might be an inconvenience. Power’s 2022 North America Airline Satisfaction Study. Southwest has long been beloved by a loyal customer base, and ranked first in the economy and basic economy category in J.D. Why we chose it: Southwest makes it easy for families to sit together and change their travel plans, if necessary.

Won't switch you to another airline in case of delays.Certain breeds of short-nosed dogs and cats, like bulldogs and Persian cats, cannot travel in the baggage compartment. A wider range of animals are allowed in the cargo compartment, including ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits and tropical fish. The fee is also $100, and the pet and carrier together can weigh up to 150 pounds. Unlike some other airlines, Alaska also allows pets to travel in an airplane’s climate-controlled baggage and cargo compartment. The airline allows travelers to carry two pets in a single carrier, and one traveler is allowed two pet carriers, as long as a second ticket is purchased for an adjacent seat. Dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and able to eat solid food, and their carrier cannot be larger than 17' x 11' x 7.5'. Why we chose it: Alaska is the best airline for pets, thanks to its broad pet policies and relatively low fees.Īlaska allows dogs, cats, rabbits and household birds in the cabin for a fee of $100 per pet, each way. Also, Delta’s in-flight entertainment suite features more than 1,000 hours of movies, TV, music and more.

#Southwest airlines checked bag free#

Delta introduced free WiFi on most domestic flights last month (the rest of its domestic fleet will follow later this year) the service is garnering good reviews, but you must join Delta’s free SkyMiles rewards program to connect for free. You’ll enjoy plenty of perks while you’re en route to your destination, too. It served more than 120 million passengers in 2022, and it flies to more than 275 destinations worldwide. Delta is one of the “big three” airlines in the United States, along with American and United. Slightly more than 83% of Delta flights arrived on time between December 2021 and November 2022 - that’s the best record of any airline we considered. It also had the fewest instances of mishandled baggage.

Why we chose it: Though it tends to be pricier than other carriers - including some of our picks - Delta had the best on-time performance of all the airlines we reviewed.

Can be more expensive than other carriers.