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Southwest

3.3

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Southwest Reviews Summary

The overall reputation of the airline reflects a significant decline in customer satisfaction, with numerous reviews highlighting persistent issues such as frequent delays, cancellations, and inadequate customer support. While some customers appreciate the competitive pricing and occasional positive service experiences, the overwhelming sentiment points to a deterioration in reliability and responsiveness. Complaints regarding seating arrangements and the handling of refunds further exacerbate frustrations. Despite a history of being a favored budget airline, many travelers now express a willingness to seek alternatives, indicating a critical need for the company to address these service shortcomings.

This summary is generated by AI, based on text from customer reviews

service
16
value
15
quality
13

We monitor reviews for authenticity

Florida
10 reviews
3 helpful votes
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Use this airline a lot
February 7, 2016

Best airline out there for cost and being on time. You can pick your own seat when you board the plan so if you are one of the first to board, since you have to stand inline to board, there are no seats given before then. And the staff is very funny, so it is always a good ride.

Date of experience: February 6, 2016
Kentucky
9 reviews
35 helpful votes
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They always have the best prices even before you start calculating the ridiculous baggage fees that other airlines charge! I use to spend hours looking for the best ticket price and it always ended up being w SW... so, now I just go straight to Southwest :)

Date of experience: January 27, 2016
New York
25 reviews
37 helpful votes
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Southwest is still better than most US airlines. I think Southwest's quality of service has suffered a bit over the past few years, but compared to Unites and American, it is still the better choice. Only Delta seems to have improved enough to challenge SW, and only JetBlue beats it.

Date of experience: January 16, 2016
Arkansas
8 reviews
8 helpful votes
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My preferred airline
December 30, 2015

While I'm sad that I'm to the point in life where I have enough miles to upgrade to first class and there is no first class, Southwest is still my preferred choice. The staff are always helpful (and funny!) and I like having control over where I sit. Also, no baggage fees!

Date of experience: December 29, 2015
California
26 reviews
75 helpful votes
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Once upon a time Southwest was the cheap no-frills airline that made up for it with flight attendants in shorts who told jokes.

Then the quality of the major mainstream airlines went down while Southwest kept making slight improvements.

They have an excellent safety record.

Date of experience: December 26, 2015
Texas
6 reviews
39 helpful votes
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Back in Feb, I was flying home on my birthday after visiting a friend who was critically ill. I get to the Boston Logan airport and ask if my flights are running on time. I was told them were. When I got to my layover, is when all the issues began. I was first told my connection was canceled at 8am Eastern time. Than the agent started to swear at me when i asked how am I supposed to get home. He said you will be booked on a flight between Wednesday and Friday next week, but more than likely Friday of next week. I asked him what other airlines flies out of this airport and the agent response was " I don't bleep have to tell you". The agent gave the same answer about a rental car. The agent finally said I am spending you and the rest of the Albuquerque passages to El Paso and let yous be there bleepen problem.

Date of experience: December 24, 2015
New Jersey
54 reviews
60 helpful votes
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I had to make a quick trip to NC from CHI for my Uncles funeral. I booked a ticket last minute and later cancelled because I had second thoughts about the cost. My Aunt insisted I com and she would loan me the money. The SWA customer service agent quickly pulled up my history and was able to be create the ticket in less than 5 mins. KUDOS!

Date of experience: December 9, 2015
New Jersey
20 reviews
116 helpful votes
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I fly SWA twice a month and they are the best, given the way seating and lines and full flights has become the norm.

My only complaint is the gate agents, sometimes they just don't handle a problem very well.

Flight crews are always up, happy and extremely good at managing very crowded conditions on these airplanes.

Date of experience: October 21, 2015
Virginia
7 reviews
9 helpful votes
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Houston
October 17, 2015

Love this airlines. They chatge no fees for bags, cancellations, and they fly into Houston!

Date of experience: October 16, 2015
California
22 reviews
39 helpful votes
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Love this Airline!
September 12, 2015

Bags do fly free, the customer service is Outstanding, unlike other airlines, one in particular, I guess I cant mention. They're on time record with me has been amazingly good. On one occasion, they did have to cancel a flight, for a mechanical issue. They put me up in an Hilton, and provided transportation there and back. Upon arrival, they apologized again for the inconvenience, and discounted my return flight 50%t. Now THAT'S how you make a customer for life. I was shocked at how they made a very bad situation bearable. To me, that's beyond the call of duty. I've Never had an airline do anything like that before. Usually you spend the night on a damn airport chair, receiving a, "Deal with it," attitude." I fly Southwest everywhere they have a route, and recommend them to everyone I know; now I recommend them to you. I travel allot for business. They are business that cares about their clientele. So rare these days!

Date of experience: September 11, 2015
Texas
12 reviews
7 helpful votes
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Value for money!
September 4, 2015

Competitive fare, no charge for 2 bags, no fee for changing date, excellent service, on time... what else you want in an airline!

Date of experience: September 3, 2015
California
18 reviews
23 helpful votes
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Only Airline I Use
July 28, 2015

So far, 2 bags free, cheapest airfare, they go where I want to go. Oh, and the employees are real human beings. It would be better with free champagne and all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab, but I'll settle for not being gouged by another ruthless airline that steals pension plans from its employees. Ooops! They did it right being owned by their employees.

Date of experience: July 27, 2015
Maryland
10 reviews
22 helpful votes
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My husband and I had been looking on all the "best deal" sites to book a vacation to Jamaica. At first glance we thought we found good deals only to find all these added money's. We always fly Southwest if possible so I went on to check airfare and saw their package deals. I had just assumed they'd be way more expensive but to my delight they were $1,000 cheaper than Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia ect. So next week we will be in Jamaica with a lot more money. Thanks Southwest!

Date of experience: May 13, 2015
California
9 reviews
12 helpful votes
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Wanna get away is fantastic! Great for last minute bookings. The only airline that I know of who allows 2 bags at no charge. I had a connecting flight I missed and they arranged for another flight at no charge and no fees.

Date of experience: April 12, 2015
California
5 reviews
21 helpful votes
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Cheapest among all for the region, recommended totally.

Date of experience: February 4, 2015
Florida
4 reviews
11 helpful votes
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Amazing service!
October 4, 2014

Amazing service! Southwest is always a trip and a half! Funny and humorous staff and cheap prices!

Date of experience: October 4, 2014
Arkansas
1 review
13 helpful votes
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I have booked round trip flight from Burbank to Tulsa (on 08/10/2014) and Return on (08/14/2014) Confirmation number: M68QR5. The Burbank to Tulsa ticket was "Wanna Get Away" and Return flight is booked as "Anytime"(Which is a flexible ticket with much higher price). Due to heavy traffic I could not reach up to catch the outbound flight in Burbank and due to which "No Show" appeared on my outbound flight but they cancelled my whole Itinerary and forfeited all the charges So I lost my return ticket as well although I have not travelled yet. Once my ticket has been cancelled I received an email which has link to Southwest "No Show" policy. It states that only "Wanna Get Away" and "DING" type tickets are subjected to "No Show" policy but they forfeited my return ticket as well although its a "Anytime" type ticket. I'm here attaching a screen shot of my email with Southwest "No Show" Policy for your convenience. When I called Southwest customer care they say that its their policy to forfeit all the amount on the itinerary although I'm willing to travel on the rest of the flights on the itinerary which does not make any sense.

Date of experience: September 10, 2014
Pennsylvania
2 reviews
10 helpful votes
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Southwest customer service is the best in the industry. During recent winter snow storms in the northeast our flights were cancelled. Over the course of two day I spoke to 5 or 6 different people from Southwest who tried to help us get on new flights, they were all extremely helpful and polite. Due to the weather it was impossible to get on any flights and we were promptly credited the full amount of our airfares.
Thanks for being superior in customer service I will continue to be a loyal Southwest customer.

Date of experience: February 19, 2014
Washington
144 reviews
1474 helpful votes
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I DON'T LIKE TO FLY ANYMORE. WHEN I DID I USED THIS WEBSITE FOR SOUTHWEST BECAUSE IT WAS EASY AND FAST. THEY FLY EVERYWHERE DOMESTICALLY AND THEY ONLY FLY 737'S WHICH I LIKE. IF YOU LIKE BLUE AND ORANGISH/RED THAN THIS AIRLINE/WEBSITE IT GOOD FOR YOU. I'M STILL ALIVE AFTER ALL.

Date of experience: August 22, 2013
Tennessee
5 reviews
7 helpful votes
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Love it!
July 18, 2013

Love it! Simple, clear, consumer friendly website, and competitive pricing. Love the Wanna Get Away deals! Staff are wonderful as well! Great flight experience this passed June 2013.

Date of experience: July 17, 2013