Southwest flights vary a lot in price. Gone are the days of $39-$59 one way trips throughout California, but I do love their Long Beach to Hawaii options, the bag policy, their customer service, the flexibility to change & cancel flights, etc.
It’s odd that the cattle call into seats is central to their business model, so I tolerate it. I suspect I’d love them less if I had to deal with connections.
It actually allows them to load/unload passengers faster which allows for faster turnaround times and saves them money, from what I remember (dad had worked for Southwest at headquarters for most of my life)
> Gone are the days of $39-$59 one way trips throughout California
I really miss these fares, I use to regularly find $80 one way trips to places. One time went to Chicago (from Houston) for about 36 hours because I found an $80 flight that got in Saturday morning and left Sunday night and thought why not? Just took a backpack, stayed on a buddy's couch, had a great time there, was a great way to spend a weekend. Wasn't even that long ago, I feel like it was still possible up until Covid times
It seems super hard to pull any sub-$100 one way fares on there any more, even during the big sales
These prices happen all the time still but only on limited time sales that you have to check the site frequently for or have the app to let you know exists. It's also usually a time of day that isn't the most convenient.
They’re on sale right now. I bought DCA to Saint Louis for $85 one-way and Columbus for $59 one-way. Providence is also $59 one-way and Orlando was in that $79 range if I recall.
Yep, when I had a kid I started flying it relatively more. I only otherwise check bags for work.
Then it was easy enough to get companion pass with points, which means my kid flies free. Hard to beat that.
It was great when I lived in Dallas. Now the only places I can fly Southwest nonstop from Seattle are like Vegas and Denver. But I do still like them for the free checked bags. And, traveling with toddlers I don't have to worry about checking in early to get a boarding spot. We automatically board after As. My current airline preference order are Alaska, Delta, then Southwest.
Fair enough. American also had a direct flight to my hometown in Indiana so not having to drive two hours after landing in Chicago was enough to make them be my main airline.
And if you don't have one of the dozens of other ways to get free bags, like a premium credit card or loyalty status. Southwest's whole thing has always felt to me like "easy travel for people who don't travel often, at the cost of rewards for people who do travel often".
Companion pass is a killer rewards perk if you do travel them a lot, though, and travel with a companion. Maybe its really at the cost of single people who do travel often.
Bags plus being frank I can't remember the last time I paid for booze on a Southwest flight lol.
They will deplane using both ends Sometimes. I like how they board.
All that's worth it for me
I legit always thought I was crazy or that the routes I regularly take just were always pricier or slower for some reason. But literally ANY flight I've seen they're hand's down some of the most expensive and never even close to the best price.
Really, really depends on where you fly. Obviously people fly southwest, which they wouldn’t do it if was hugely more expensive all the time.
Delta is one of the largest airlines in the world and I fly it like once a decade because the routes and prices just don’t work for how I travel. But that’s me
Your home airport matters a lot for southwest. For the bay area they are stupid cheap to get to almost anywhere in the west coast or the mountain west non stop.
Back where I lived in Ohio? Had to fly out of columbus to make it worth it and even then it was a premium that required me almost always to route through Chicago midway.
Are you taking into account the free bags in that though? I think really that's the appeal for me. Sure, it's $10 more expensive than the next airline, but I don't have to pay $25 or $50 if I want to check a bag.
They're very hit or miss and depending on where you are they can be extremely convenient. Flying out of Milwaukee you don't have great nonstop options. But they'll go to MCO for $69. If you're flexible with dates and times they can be great. With fixed dates and times not so much.
They tend to be cheaper compared to classic airlines, but yes ever since frontier or spirit has come on the scene they no longer are the cheapest objectively. They absolutely are the cheapest though when it comes to needing luggage.
They're kind of like a cross between a classic airline and a budget one. Classic airline due to free luggage (even better than classic here as checked luggage is free as well), normal-ish seats, no nickle and dimeing pricing. Budget because it's domestic-ish only, no IFE screens, only economy seating, no in flight meals outside of (free) snacks, only non-stops that exist are short hops thanks to their bus style routing, and they usually they only operate out of a regions secondary airport if given the option (seems to be changing though).
Southwest hasn't been the "peanuts fare" airline for many years, but they're still trading on old perceptions. I always cross-check fares -- something they're counting on customers not doing. Sometimes DL/UA/AA are far cheaper, sometimes not.
Especially if you gain status through CC points or the like. Then AA/UA/DL are impossibly cheap. I find tickets regularly with free seat selection, free bag, no carryon nonsense for LESS than spirit/frontier/southwest. It was a good choice for me since I fly about 6-10 times a year (yes i know not a TON, but more than once a year).
I think this happens because SW tends to charge per leg and just 'add it up', whereas it seems the larger carriers use an algorithm to charge by route. My parents live in a city well served by SW as do I, but we live on opposite coasts. SW is NEVER the cheaper option and it isn't ever close. I only find them competitive for short haul stuff one hop away.
Best to check even beyond the ones listed too, if you're willing, a Spirit or Fronteir one-way can save hundreds.
It's not good for your mental state, but does wonders for the ol pocketbook lol
Southwest is almost always cheaper when you consider flying with bags. Choosing where on the plane you sit. Normally, getting free drinks snacks and 9.9/10 the best customer service.
Now get on one of the "budget" flights and try to add 1 bag and it will almost always be more expensive then southwest or the same price without any of the other things I mentioned.
I always check pricing before I book anything and I've only ever had 1 flight be cheaper somewhere else and last year I flew 40+ times round trip
The joys of being an adult, we all get to decide our own expenditures.
Personally I'd prefer to save ~$300 and be inconvenienced for a few hours, vs the alternative and playing some dumb seat grab game 😅
Yeah no that’s okay, have fun flying spirit. I’ll happily pay a slight premium to arrive comfortably at my destination without being treated like trash along the way.
No issues affording decent carriers. Once they upsell you on bags and seats the difference is marginal. The last time I flew spirit they canceled two flights and severely delayed a third flight costing me and my SO several thousand in lost wages, hotels, and days of time due to their incompetence. Fought for weeks and didn’t see a dime of recourse in return (filed an FTC complaint). Customer service was ridiculously rude and actively working against me the entire way. This was because I cheaped out to save $75 per ticket. Never ever again.
This is why I would rather fly united. United for me is often cheaper and I get to preselect my seat.
Southwest used to be cheaper but times have changed
Same. They’re usually the cheapest option for my airport (DCA) if I book 3 months out. For last minute travel (or even a week in advance) they’re always the worst.
So I book early and then just cancel (they have a great cancellation policy) if I no longer feel like it.
Yet I don’t know another airline that doesn’t charge a change fee or refund you points or $$ if your flight goes down in price. Just got over 2,000 points back yesterday for a flight I’m taking in July bc it went down.
Happens frequently on southwest. If you buy and then they run a sale you get the discounted price. You need to cancel you get all of your $ or points back either as a refund or a transferable credit. It’s truly unmatched. I got $75 back on a flight in April. I’d say about 30-50% of the time if I’m good about checking I get $$ back. Same day standby for no additional $$ etc. people love to shit on SW but their policies are unmatched.
I book multiple trips when I feel like it and cancel them later at no risk if I decide not to go. Works well for my impulsive lifestyle.
We literally only fly southwest because of how much cheaper they are to fly.
No bag fees. Priority boarding for families. Usually $100-130 or less each way
Lol where and when are you flying!?!
SW is _always_ 200-300 one way, I've never seen them below 200 in multiple decades of flying.
You must be getting the best deals available.
It made sense in the past when Southwest was the only LCC around in the US. Airlines had to pay a little bit more to have their flights show up on 3rd party sites (or they would take a percentage of the sale) and can be booked on there. By having people book directly with the airline, they could offer a lower fare. But with Google Flights, it really just *directs* you to the airline to buy it.
I'm not sure if Google takes a cut since they are just using OAG (flight schedules) and GDS (actual ticket price), as beforehand, they would only show the Southwest flight times but not the price since Southwest wouldn't allow bookings through GDS. It seems like other 3rd party sites (i.e. Kayak, Expedia) still don't show Southwest flights, so it might be something where they pull the flight schedules from OAG and then grab the price from Southwest's website (likely with their permission).
Google doesn't take a cut, and they don't act as a booking site. So far, that's why they're the only ones who are going to get the Southwest flight/price data.
Washington Post has a good write-up on it today: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/05/22/southwest-airlines-google-flights/?itid=hp_mv-top-stories_ts-1-sallys-mix_p002_f001
Okay, that's what I figured. Similar to how Google Maps will show hotel prices, including from the hotel directly (though they do show shady 3rd party options too), but you never book through them. Thanks for the link!
This [video](https://youtu.be/1-m_Jjse-cs?si=LctqqcCjfiNhoC31) by Wendover Productions explains how the airline industry's ancient IT was the culprit.
If you don't want to sit through the whole thing, skip to 17 minutes for the bit on Southwest.
I think this will also make it easier for other airlines to book tickets on Southwest in the cases where there's a disruption/cancellation. I'm roughly remembering from an old Wendover Productions video, but Southwest blocked pricing from being shared in their Central Reservation System, which has interoperability through all of the airlines to enable codeshares, ticket websites, and other use cases.
I guess they decided the possible revenue from those sources is now worth paying the ticket site's cut for the reservations. I would have thought that was always the case, but who knows.
Not too likely in terms of booking from other airlines...nothing changed there.
But in regards to the rest...Southwest has been in most global distribution systems for 5+ years now. Most websites just don't display them because Southwest has/had a policy of not paying 3rd parties to sell them, so most 3rd parties refused.. Maybe that's changing though...
Interline agreements (what allows one airline to sell seats on another airline’s metal) are separate from distribution agreements. Interline agreements have by and large gone away because airlines don’t want to deal with the hassle - I would not expect Southwest or anyone to start that practice.
They aren't opening up to other ticketing agencies, only the "display only" Google Flights site (for now)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/05/22/southwest-airlines-google-flights/?itid=hp_mv-top-stories_ts-1-sallys-mix_p002_f001
I guess they have been slowly changing their minds. For a while, you couldn't see anything related to the Southwest. Then they would show South with slightly hidden with no price, and now it seems they are they are showing up 100%
Bags, emails with special fares, friendliest funniest flight attendants, no seat selections, organized boarding (no, it's not cattle call considering the stampedes and chaos at other airlines) are some of the reasons I like Southwest more than any other domestic airline.
So glad that now I don't have to check Sourhwest in addition to Google flights.
Factoring in GENEROUS change policies (esp the recent free same-day standby, and free confirmed change for elites), carry-on and checked bags, potential companion fare promos, and good + easy points earning and redemption, it's almost always cheaper flying via Southwest for us! Wife and I have been companion pass holders since 2017, and transcon flights aside, we almost always choose Southwest!
Don't suggest they ruin a good thing. Have you met airlines? Southwest adding seat selection means they're gonna charge for it to select seats that aren't in the back 10 rows or so
They already charge for the privilege of doing so via line placement?
Then add in the Family rules after "A". The chances of a normal person not being in the back and/or middle seat are pretty slim.
We flew last year one leg on SW due to trying to be in Orlando on a holiday. It was the worst experience I have ever had. The arguing with the agents over the wheelchair rules (as in does my 12 person party get to come on the plane at early board with the one person in the wheel chair), or the families that are arguing with a paying "A" line person to move so they can have sequential rows, the FAs doing their best to curtail these negotiations and sit everyone down....
Since they are not cheaper for my flights, there is 0 reason to do it.
If you check in right on time it's pretty rare to get C group (even a minute late is not on time). I'm only stuck in a middle seat when I screw up and don't do it, otherwise never a problem to find a window or aisle
Fares aren't cheaper than competitors, I get that. But fares will not go down if they start assigning seats, they'll simply add a charge for everyone rather than the few people who choose to pay for early bird check in
The problem is some of the family routes- like going to Orlando- the flights are so full of people with kids, that even early B boarding group, everyone has already gotten on the plane between preboards and A-list and family boarding between A&B.
And then add in paying for early bird and still getting B boarding (because everyone is paying for it) it makes it really frustrating when traveling with kids not young enough to family board but aren't really old enough to get stuck between two random strangers.
Or just add "[miracle flight](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/may/16/miracle-flights-southwest-airlines-called-out-for-/)" to the notes on your Southwest acct, and then you get to board first.
Hopefully there's a way to search on the exploit map for sw only (departure city to anywhere) and see where it's cheapest to fly like sw used to have on their website
About time. I love Google Flights and what I always use.
Southwest is smart to get on it.
It is too bad they don't fly to SEA. That is where I now live half time.
SEA as in South East Asia and NOT Seattle.
Concerned this could lead to an increase in prices. Because (unless I’m mistaken) Google charges the airlines for this advertising. So that’ll get passed on at some point
Big step for an airline that for years resisted anything that eases price comparison shopping.
Especially considering _they're not_ price competitive, curious how this will impact their pricing.
Yeah they really aren’t. I’ve always heard they’re the cheaper budget airline but every time I crossshop they’re always like ten dollars more.
They're typically more expensive for regular flights. I will say, they're a really good option for families especially because of their bags policy.
Southwest flights vary a lot in price. Gone are the days of $39-$59 one way trips throughout California, but I do love their Long Beach to Hawaii options, the bag policy, their customer service, the flexibility to change & cancel flights, etc. It’s odd that the cattle call into seats is central to their business model, so I tolerate it. I suspect I’d love them less if I had to deal with connections.
I find the cattle call super strange, but I'm a window seat person, so it always seems to work out for me.
It actually allows them to load/unload passengers faster which allows for faster turnaround times and saves them money, from what I remember (dad had worked for Southwest at headquarters for most of my life)
We travel with 6-8 people so it sucks sometimes but we usually break up into smaller groups and deal with it.
> Gone are the days of $39-$59 one way trips throughout California I really miss these fares, I use to regularly find $80 one way trips to places. One time went to Chicago (from Houston) for about 36 hours because I found an $80 flight that got in Saturday morning and left Sunday night and thought why not? Just took a backpack, stayed on a buddy's couch, had a great time there, was a great way to spend a weekend. Wasn't even that long ago, I feel like it was still possible up until Covid times It seems super hard to pull any sub-$100 one way fares on there any more, even during the big sales
These prices happen all the time still but only on limited time sales that you have to check the site frequently for or have the app to let you know exists. It's also usually a time of day that isn't the most convenient.
Thanks for the tip. I don’t think I’ve seen anything under $79 for my preferred routes in the past 3-4 years, but it’s possible I’ve missed them.
What do you mean gone are the days? They literally still advertise $39 flights. DCA to Tampa was recently $79 each way. No bag fees
I meant specifically “throughout California.” It used to happen a lot, and they’ve been a lot harder to find, just in my experience.
They’re on sale right now. I bought DCA to Saint Louis for $85 one-way and Columbus for $59 one-way. Providence is also $59 one-way and Orlando was in that $79 range if I recall.
Yep, when I had a kid I started flying it relatively more. I only otherwise check bags for work. Then it was easy enough to get companion pass with points, which means my kid flies free. Hard to beat that.
they include bags though. That's a $35+ savings there. And no seat fee either.
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It was great when I lived in Dallas. Now the only places I can fly Southwest nonstop from Seattle are like Vegas and Denver. But I do still like them for the free checked bags. And, traveling with toddlers I don't have to worry about checking in early to get a boarding spot. We automatically board after As. My current airline preference order are Alaska, Delta, then Southwest.
When I was in the DFW area I still found flights on American to be cheaper most of the time, and they had even more direct flights.
I had a Southwest companion pass while we lived there and I lived in Oak Lawn so much closer to Love Field
Fair enough. American also had a direct flight to my hometown in Indiana so not having to drive two hours after landing in Chicago was enough to make them be my main airline.
It’s only a savings if you were going to check a bag anyways
And if you don't have one of the dozens of other ways to get free bags, like a premium credit card or loyalty status. Southwest's whole thing has always felt to me like "easy travel for people who don't travel often, at the cost of rewards for people who do travel often". Companion pass is a killer rewards perk if you do travel them a lot, though, and travel with a companion. Maybe its really at the cost of single people who do travel often.
Now that they're on GFS, you can do this: https://imgur.com/iBYFNUi (Before selecting 1 checked bag, it showed the Frontier option as cheaper.)
Oh cool, I never noticed Google Flights could do that.
Bags plus being frank I can't remember the last time I paid for booze on a Southwest flight lol. They will deplane using both ends Sometimes. I like how they board. All that's worth it for me
In my experience, once you factor in the bags, they are cheaper. Of course I live near a major hub and I'm sure that helps.
I gladly pay the $10more for two free checked bags if I need to haul some heavy stuff.
I legit always thought I was crazy or that the routes I regularly take just were always pricier or slower for some reason. But literally ANY flight I've seen they're hand's down some of the most expensive and never even close to the best price.
Not true in my experience, but any time folks start using "always", that's a red flag.
Really, really depends on where you fly. Obviously people fly southwest, which they wouldn’t do it if was hugely more expensive all the time. Delta is one of the largest airlines in the world and I fly it like once a decade because the routes and prices just don’t work for how I travel. But that’s me
Your home airport matters a lot for southwest. For the bay area they are stupid cheap to get to almost anywhere in the west coast or the mountain west non stop. Back where I lived in Ohio? Had to fly out of columbus to make it worth it and even then it was a premium that required me almost always to route through Chicago midway.
This really must be it. There are plenty of SWA flights here, but nearly all require a BWI connection for most places I travel.
Are you taking into account the free bags in that though? I think really that's the appeal for me. Sure, it's $10 more expensive than the next airline, but I don't have to pay $25 or $50 if I want to check a bag.
They're very hit or miss and depending on where you are they can be extremely convenient. Flying out of Milwaukee you don't have great nonstop options. But they'll go to MCO for $69. If you're flexible with dates and times they can be great. With fixed dates and times not so much.
the 10 dollars is repaid if you're ok checking a bag.
They tend to be cheaper compared to classic airlines, but yes ever since frontier or spirit has come on the scene they no longer are the cheapest objectively. They absolutely are the cheapest though when it comes to needing luggage. They're kind of like a cross between a classic airline and a budget one. Classic airline due to free luggage (even better than classic here as checked luggage is free as well), normal-ish seats, no nickle and dimeing pricing. Budget because it's domestic-ish only, no IFE screens, only economy seating, no in flight meals outside of (free) snacks, only non-stops that exist are short hops thanks to their bus style routing, and they usually they only operate out of a regions secondary airport if given the option (seems to be changing though).
Southwest hasn't been the "peanuts fare" airline for many years, but they're still trading on old perceptions. I always cross-check fares -- something they're counting on customers not doing. Sometimes DL/UA/AA are far cheaper, sometimes not.
Especially if you gain status through CC points or the like. Then AA/UA/DL are impossibly cheap. I find tickets regularly with free seat selection, free bag, no carryon nonsense for LESS than spirit/frontier/southwest. It was a good choice for me since I fly about 6-10 times a year (yes i know not a TON, but more than once a year).
I think this happens because SW tends to charge per leg and just 'add it up', whereas it seems the larger carriers use an algorithm to charge by route. My parents live in a city well served by SW as do I, but we live on opposite coasts. SW is NEVER the cheaper option and it isn't ever close. I only find them competitive for short haul stuff one hop away.
Best to check even beyond the ones listed too, if you're willing, a Spirit or Fronteir one-way can save hundreds. It's not good for your mental state, but does wonders for the ol pocketbook lol
I’d rather take a bus.
Depends a lot on your airport and the times. I disagree that SW isn't price competitive, but I'm also at BWI a lot
Southwest is almost always cheaper when you consider flying with bags. Choosing where on the plane you sit. Normally, getting free drinks snacks and 9.9/10 the best customer service. Now get on one of the "budget" flights and try to add 1 bag and it will almost always be more expensive then southwest or the same price without any of the other things I mentioned. I always check pricing before I book anything and I've only ever had 1 flight be cheaper somewhere else and last year I flew 40+ times round trip
That’s ok, I will pay 2x as much to not fly Spirit or Frontier.
The joys of being an adult, we all get to decide our own expenditures. Personally I'd prefer to save ~$300 and be inconvenienced for a few hours, vs the alternative and playing some dumb seat grab game 😅
Spirit will literally cancel or severely your flights with no notice or recourse which has costs associated as well.
Southwest has cancellations and cascading delays due to their point to point route model so it’s a tradeoff
Yes but those times are rare black swan events rather than something regularly happening
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Yeah no that’s okay, have fun flying spirit. I’ll happily pay a slight premium to arrive comfortably at my destination without being treated like trash along the way.
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No issues affording decent carriers. Once they upsell you on bags and seats the difference is marginal. The last time I flew spirit they canceled two flights and severely delayed a third flight costing me and my SO several thousand in lost wages, hotels, and days of time due to their incompetence. Fought for weeks and didn’t see a dime of recourse in return (filed an FTC complaint). Customer service was ridiculously rude and actively working against me the entire way. This was because I cheaped out to save $75 per ticket. Never ever again.
I mean...the seat grab thing is straight forward. You board and find a seat. Like a bus or train. Same thing.
This is why I would rather fly united. United for me is often cheaper and I get to preselect my seat. Southwest used to be cheaper but times have changed
I find them competitive, but only three or more months out.
Same. They’re usually the cheapest option for my airport (DCA) if I book 3 months out. For last minute travel (or even a week in advance) they’re always the worst. So I book early and then just cancel (they have a great cancellation policy) if I no longer feel like it.
They are if you compare apples to apples. No cancellation fee. No change fee and free bags.
No change fee is great - this comes in handy for me pretty often, especially when I fly solo
Yet I don’t know another airline that doesn’t charge a change fee or refund you points or $$ if your flight goes down in price. Just got over 2,000 points back yesterday for a flight I’m taking in July bc it went down.
That's likely because _prices don't go down_, sounds like you hit an anomaly event, sweet to hear, but highly unusual.
Happens frequently on southwest. If you buy and then they run a sale you get the discounted price. You need to cancel you get all of your $ or points back either as a refund or a transferable credit. It’s truly unmatched. I got $75 back on a flight in April. I’d say about 30-50% of the time if I’m good about checking I get $$ back. Same day standby for no additional $$ etc. people love to shit on SW but their policies are unmatched. I book multiple trips when I feel like it and cancel them later at no risk if I decide not to go. Works well for my impulsive lifestyle.
We literally only fly southwest because of how much cheaper they are to fly. No bag fees. Priority boarding for families. Usually $100-130 or less each way
Lol where and when are you flying!?! SW is _always_ 200-300 one way, I've never seen them below 200 in multiple decades of flying. You must be getting the best deals available.
It made sense in the past when Southwest was the only LCC around in the US. Airlines had to pay a little bit more to have their flights show up on 3rd party sites (or they would take a percentage of the sale) and can be booked on there. By having people book directly with the airline, they could offer a lower fare. But with Google Flights, it really just *directs* you to the airline to buy it. I'm not sure if Google takes a cut since they are just using OAG (flight schedules) and GDS (actual ticket price), as beforehand, they would only show the Southwest flight times but not the price since Southwest wouldn't allow bookings through GDS. It seems like other 3rd party sites (i.e. Kayak, Expedia) still don't show Southwest flights, so it might be something where they pull the flight schedules from OAG and then grab the price from Southwest's website (likely with their permission).
Google doesn't take a cut, and they don't act as a booking site. So far, that's why they're the only ones who are going to get the Southwest flight/price data. Washington Post has a good write-up on it today: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/05/22/southwest-airlines-google-flights/?itid=hp_mv-top-stories_ts-1-sallys-mix_p002_f001
Okay, that's what I figured. Similar to how Google Maps will show hotel prices, including from the hotel directly (though they do show shady 3rd party options too), but you never book through them. Thanks for the link!
That is helpful. Thanks for posting. I just checked and I see it also. It wasn't there last week.
Jeez, finally! Never understood this
This [video](https://youtu.be/1-m_Jjse-cs?si=LctqqcCjfiNhoC31) by Wendover Productions explains how the airline industry's ancient IT was the culprit. If you don't want to sit through the whole thing, skip to 17 minutes for the bit on Southwest.
Wow I was literally on google flights last night and was so annoyed about Southwest not showing their prices 🤣 amazing what 12 hours can do
They made the change just for you
That’s awesome!!!
I think this will also make it easier for other airlines to book tickets on Southwest in the cases where there's a disruption/cancellation. I'm roughly remembering from an old Wendover Productions video, but Southwest blocked pricing from being shared in their Central Reservation System, which has interoperability through all of the airlines to enable codeshares, ticket websites, and other use cases. I guess they decided the possible revenue from those sources is now worth paying the ticket site's cut for the reservations. I would have thought that was always the case, but who knows.
Not too likely in terms of booking from other airlines...nothing changed there. But in regards to the rest...Southwest has been in most global distribution systems for 5+ years now. Most websites just don't display them because Southwest has/had a policy of not paying 3rd parties to sell them, so most 3rd parties refused.. Maybe that's changing though...
Interline agreements (what allows one airline to sell seats on another airline’s metal) are separate from distribution agreements. Interline agreements have by and large gone away because airlines don’t want to deal with the hassle - I would not expect Southwest or anyone to start that practice.
They aren't opening up to other ticketing agencies, only the "display only" Google Flights site (for now) https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/05/22/southwest-airlines-google-flights/?itid=hp_mv-top-stories_ts-1-sallys-mix_p002_f001
About damn time! Great news.
Thanks for the heads up. About time this happened.
Finally! But I’m always surprised how expensive Southwest is. It may have been cheap early on… but not really nowadays!
Finally!
wow i see this myself, way cool
I will echo everyone else. It is about time.
I suspect this will be a good thing for them since I can't be the only one who forgets to also look at Southwest when shopping for flights.
They've been on our corporate travel agency site for years. Interesting that they are finally getting on non-business aggregaters.
Thank you for the heads up on this!
This is great! SW is also my go-to and it always bugged me that they weren't on Google Flights. THANK YOU for posting!
Hallelujah! It's about time.
It just changed today! I was looking yesterday and they didn't show up, but I saw the same change this morning. Finally!!
Hopefully, this will give them some sense of pricing.
I guess they have been slowly changing their minds. For a while, you couldn't see anything related to the Southwest. Then they would show South with slightly hidden with no price, and now it seems they are they are showing up 100%
Yup, I just saw that myself and had to rub my eyes! Lol
Yay! Literally was looking at flights two days ago and had to hop over to check SW.
That’s weird, my go to SW flight is between SAN and SMF and Alaska is cheaper…
Bags, emails with special fares, friendliest funniest flight attendants, no seat selections, organized boarding (no, it's not cattle call considering the stampedes and chaos at other airlines) are some of the reasons I like Southwest more than any other domestic airline. So glad that now I don't have to check Sourhwest in addition to Google flights.
Factoring in GENEROUS change policies (esp the recent free same-day standby, and free confirmed change for elites), carry-on and checked bags, potential companion fare promos, and good + easy points earning and redemption, it's almost always cheaper flying via Southwest for us! Wife and I have been companion pass holders since 2017, and transcon flights aside, we almost always choose Southwest!
Cool. Now make it so I can pick my seat!
Don't suggest they ruin a good thing. Have you met airlines? Southwest adding seat selection means they're gonna charge for it to select seats that aren't in the back 10 rows or so
They already charge for the privilege of doing so via line placement? Then add in the Family rules after "A". The chances of a normal person not being in the back and/or middle seat are pretty slim. We flew last year one leg on SW due to trying to be in Orlando on a holiday. It was the worst experience I have ever had. The arguing with the agents over the wheelchair rules (as in does my 12 person party get to come on the plane at early board with the one person in the wheel chair), or the families that are arguing with a paying "A" line person to move so they can have sequential rows, the FAs doing their best to curtail these negotiations and sit everyone down.... Since they are not cheaper for my flights, there is 0 reason to do it.
If you check in right on time it's pretty rare to get C group (even a minute late is not on time). I'm only stuck in a middle seat when I screw up and don't do it, otherwise never a problem to find a window or aisle Fares aren't cheaper than competitors, I get that. But fares will not go down if they start assigning seats, they'll simply add a charge for everyone rather than the few people who choose to pay for early bird check in
The problem is some of the family routes- like going to Orlando- the flights are so full of people with kids, that even early B boarding group, everyone has already gotten on the plane between preboards and A-list and family boarding between A&B. And then add in paying for early bird and still getting B boarding (because everyone is paying for it) it makes it really frustrating when traveling with kids not young enough to family board but aren't really old enough to get stuck between two random strangers.
You can pick your seat. After you fight all the other passengers.
Or just add "[miracle flight](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/may/16/miracle-flights-southwest-airlines-called-out-for-/)" to the notes on your Southwest acct, and then you get to board first.
omg lol
Might as well just fly on another airline at that point.
[They just might](https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2024/04/25/southwest-airlines-seating-boarding-changes/73452778007/)
Why? That is the entire point of the airline.
Yay!
About time!!! 🙌
I just realized this as well
I literally checked last night and it wasn't there. Must have happened overnight!
Hopefully there's a way to search on the exploit map for sw only (departure city to anywhere) and see where it's cheapest to fly like sw used to have on their website
Litty
About time. I love Google Flights and what I always use. Southwest is smart to get on it. It is too bad they don't fly to SEA. That is where I now live half time. SEA as in South East Asia and NOT Seattle.
Nooooooo
Concerned this could lead to an increase in prices. Because (unless I’m mistaken) Google charges the airlines for this advertising. So that’ll get passed on at some point
So, they are checking to see if you are vegan? Is that extra points or minus points? What a bs quiz
Hallelujah!