Editing Southwest Airlines (section)

==Passenger experience==
Southwest Airlines solely offers economy class seating and does not have business class or first class cabins on its aircraft.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Glusac|first=Elaine|date=August 20, 2020|title=5 Things We Know About Flying Right Now|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/travel/airplanes-coronavirus.html|access-date=April 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Southwest offers free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages inflight and offers alcoholic beverages for sale for $7–9 per beverage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inflight Drink and Snack Menu |url=https://www.southwest.com/food-and-beverage/ |access-date=December 5, 2024 |website=Southwest Airlines}}</ref> Free alcoholic drinks are offered to passengers on some holidays such as [[Valentine's Day]] and [[Halloween]]. Southwest has become known for colorful boarding announcements and crews who sometimes burst out in song.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kasperkevic |first=Jana |date=March 13, 2012 |title=Southwest Airlines Has A Secret Weapon To Make Everyone Love Flying |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/this-airlines-flight-attendants-vow-planes-full-of-people-by-singing-2012-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107021040/http://www.businessinsider.com/this-airlines-flight-attendants-vow-planes-full-of-people-by-singing-2012-3 |archive-date=November 7, 2014 |access-date=November 6, 2014 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Forgione |first=Mary |date=April 18, 2014 |title=Southwest, other airlines take safety talks to new, hilarious heights |url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-air-safety-instructions-20140417-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030222539/http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-air-safety-instructions-20140417-story.html |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |access-date=November 6, 2014 |newspaper=[[LA Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Sasha |date=April 14, 2014 |title=Southwest Airlines flight attendant gives hilarious safety speech |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/watch-southwest-airlines-flight-attendant-hilarious-safety-speech-article-1.1756444 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110174124/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/watch-southwest-airlines-flight-attendant-hilarious-safety-speech-article-1.1756444 |archive-date=November 10, 2014 |access-date=November 6, 2014 |website=[[NY Daily News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Grossman |first=David |date=October 17, 2005 |title=I don't hate Southwest anymore |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/grossman/2005-10-14-grossman_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=June 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702142850/http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/grossman/2005-10-14-grossman_x.htm |archive-date=July 2, 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Southwest Boarding Process.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Southwest's boarding process at an airport gate]]
Southwest currently has an open seating policy, scheduled to end in 2026,<ref>{{cite web |last=Koenig |first=David |url=https://apnews.com/article/southwest-changes-seating-boarding-hedge-fund-ba6a97380df6201e9a35335d3202fc8a |title=Southwest Airlines says it will introduce assigned seats and premium perks in 2026 |work=[[AP News]] |date=September 26, 2024 |access-date=September 26, 2024}}</ref> and uses a unique boarding process. Passengers are given a group letter (A, B or C) and a number (1 through 60). Passengers lineup in numerical order within each letter group and choose any open seat on the aircraft.<ref name="abcnews">{{Cite web |last=De Lollis |first=Barbara |date=September 19, 2007 |title=Southwest to Change Boarding Process – ABC 123 News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/story?id=3624856&page=1#.UEEvWkLT0fM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217073745/https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/story?id=3624856&page=1#.UEEvWkLT0fM |archive-date=December 17, 2013 |access-date=December 19, 2012 |publisher=Abcnews.com}}</ref> A 2012 study on the television series ''[[MythBusters]]'', found this to be the fastest method currently in use for passengers to board a plane; on average, it is 10 minutes faster than the standard method.<ref>Stromberg, Joseph. [https://www.vox.com/2014/4/25/5647696/the-way-we-board-airplanes-makes-absolutely-no-sense The way we board airplanes makes absolutely no sense] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801034855/https://www.vox.com/2014/4/25/5647696/the-way-we-board-airplanes-makes-absolutely-no-sense |date=August 1, 2017}}. [[Vox (website)|Vox]], April 25, 2014.</ref> 

Southwest has a "customer of size" policy in which the cost of a second seat is refunded for any [[Obesity|plus-sized]] travelers who take up more room than one seat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milchtein |first=Chaya |title=Flying is the hardest part of traveling while fat: Here are 9 ways to make it easier |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/2022/08/01/plus-size-travel-plane-travel-tips/10154213002/ |access-date=August 12, 2022 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Customer of Size Information |url=https://www.southwest.com/help/additional-travel-accommodations/extra-seat-policy |access-date=August 12, 2022 |website=Southwest Airlines}}</ref>

On May 1, 2025, Southwest introduced aircraft with new extra-legroom seating as part of a phased update to its cabin layout. These seats will be installed in the first five rows and near exit doors on retrofitted Boeing 737-800 and MAX 8 aircraft. During the initial rollout, the seats will be available at no additional cost. The airline plans to complete these upgrades by the end of 2025, when it will begin offering assigned seating and selling extra-legroom seats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Southwest's expanded-legroom seats will debut May 1 |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Southwest-begins-extra-legroom-rollout-in-May |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=www.travelweekly.com |language=en}}</ref>

===In-flight entertainment===
As of December 2024, Southwest offers free [[Wi-Fi]], which includes free streaming of live television, movies, music, in-app messaging (iMessage and WhatsApp), and real-time flight tracking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inflight Entertainment & Internet {{!}} Southwest Airlines |url=https://www.southwest.com/inflight-entertainment-portal/?clk=7244032 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |website=southwest.com}}</ref> Full Internet access is available for an $8 fee for most passengers but is free for Business Select and A-List Preferred passengers. As of March 9, 2023, Southwest began upgrading Wi-Fi hardware on its existing aircraft equipped with Anuvu Wi-Fi and began rolling out Viasat Wi-Fi on all new deliveries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WiFi Modernization: First Viasat Aircraft Enters Service {{!}} SWA Media |url=https://www.swamedia.com/southwest-stories/wifi-modernization-first-viasat-aircraft-enters-service-MC5XTXWTTLWNESJDQR4LZQBIDI2I |access-date=December 5, 2024 |website=swamedia.com}}</ref>

===Rapid Rewards===
Southwest first began to offer a [[frequent-flyer program]] on June 18, 1987, calling it '''The Company Club'''. The program credited for trips flown regardless of distance.<ref name="company_club">{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=1985 to 1989 |url=http://www.swamedia.com/channels/By-Date/pages/1985-to-1989 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206065911/http://www.swamedia.com/channels/By-Date/pages/1985-to-1989 |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |access-date=January 11, 2011 |website=swamedia.com |publisher=Southwest Airlines Co |quote=...Southwest introduces "The Company Club," a frequent-flyer program based on total trips flown, regardless of distance...}}</ref> Southwest Airlines renamed its frequent-flyer program '''Rapid Rewards''' on April 25, 1996.<ref name="rr_name">{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=1995 to 1997 |url=http://www.swamedia.com/channels/By-Date/pages/1995-to-1997 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100807004037/http://swamedia.com/channels/By-Date/pages/1995-to-1997 |archive-date=August 7, 2010 |access-date=January 11, 2011 |website=swamedia.com |publisher=Southwest Airlines Co |quote="Rapid Rewards" officially takes the place of the "Company Club" as the new name for our frequent flier program.}}</ref>

The original Rapid Rewards program offered one credit per one-way flight from an origin to a destination, including any stops or connections on Southwest Airlines. When 16 credits were accumulated in a 24-month period, Southwest awarded one free round-trip ticket that was valid for 12 months.<ref name="rr_old_rules">{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2010 |title=Rapid Rewards Membership Rules |url=http://www.southwest.com/rapid_rewards/rules_and_regs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224142436/http://www.southwest.com/rapid_rewards/rules_and_regs.html |archive-date=December 24, 2010 |access-date=January 11, 2011 |website=southwest.com |publisher=Southwest Airlines Co |quote=One credit will be given for each Southwest Airlines flight flown.}}</ref>

On March 1, 2011, Rapid Rewards changed to a points system based on ticket cost. Members earn and redeem points based on a four-tier fare scale multiplier and the cost of the ticket. Changes also included no [[blackout dates]], seat restrictions, or expiring credits. Since October 18, 2019, Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as the member is alive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Southwest Announces Updates To Rapid Rewards, Companion Pass, And More |url=https://www.swamedia.com/releases/release-6598b7bbe9941afd92c1abe6720b1bea-southwest-announces-updates-to-rapid-rewards-companion-pass-and-more |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024152810/https://www.swamedia.com/releases/release-6598b7bbe9941afd92c1abe6720b1bea-southwest-announces-updates-to-rapid-rewards-companion-pass-and-more |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |website=Southwest Airlines Newsroom |date=October 18, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> It also adds more options to use points.<ref name="rr_pr">{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2011 |title=Southwest Airlines Introduces The All-New Rapid Rewards Program! |url=http://swamedia.com/releases/e7b3eef4-9551-7110-d957-0d004d252569 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107163152/http://swamedia.com/releases/e7b3eef4-9551-7110-d957-0d004d252569 |archive-date=January 7, 2011 |access-date=January 11, 2011 |website=swamedia.com |publisher=Southwest Airlines Co |quote=...Rapid Rewards program, the carrier's frequent flyer program...}}</ref><ref name="rr_new">{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=Redeem Points |url=http://www.southwest.com/newRR/redeemPoints.do |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107184232/http://www.southwest.com/newRR/flashCheck.do |archive-date=January 7, 2011 |access-date=January 11, 2010 |website=southwest.com |publisher=Southwest Airlines Co |quote=Lower fares require fewer points.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Ryan |title=Blog &#124; Nuts About Southwest |url=https://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/introducing-all-new-rapid-rewards-blog-post |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303153948/http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/introducing-all-new-rapid-rewards-blog-post |archive-date=March 3, 2012 |access-date=July 29, 2013 |publisher=Blogsouthwest.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Keep Rapid Rewards account active – Rapid Rewards Promotions |url=https://www.southwest.com/html/rapidrewards/promotions/rr-points-keep-active.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104231257/https://www.southwest.com/html/rapidrewards/promotions/rr-points-keep-active.html |archive-date=January 4, 2019 |access-date=January 4, 2019 |website=Southwest Airlines}}</ref>