Flight Check

Southwest Airlines Complaints & DOT Data (2024)

3,165 complaints filed with the DOT in 2024.

Complaint Rate

1.5/100K

Total Complaints

3,165

Rank

#27 of 27

Top Issue

Baggage

Southwest Airlines has the lowest complaint rate among major carriers at just 1.5 per 100,000. Its no-baggage-fee policy eliminates an entire complaint category, and its flexible change policy reduces refund disputes.

vs. Industry Average

Southwest Airlines1.5/100K
Industry Average8.2/100K

Southwest Airlines is 82% below the industry average.

Monthly Complaint Rate (2024)

1.4
Jan
1.4
Feb
1.4
Mar
1.4
Apr
1.4
May
1.7
Jun
1.7
Jul
1.4
Aug
1.4
Sep
1.4
Oct
1.4
Nov
1.7
Dec

Complaints per 100K passengers by month. Red bars exceed industry average (8.2).

What People Complain About

Baggage83%
Flight Problems17%

How to File a Complaint Against Southwest Airlines

  1. Document everything — save confirmation emails, receipts, and screenshots.
  2. Contact Southwest Airlines directly first. Give them a chance to resolve it.
  3. If unsatisfied, file with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov.
  4. Use the Disruption Desk to understand what you are owed.
Disruption DeskCompensation Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints did Southwest Airlines get in 2024?

Southwest Airlines received 3,165 DOT complaints in 2024, at a rate of 1.5 per 100,000 passengers. This ranks them #27 out of 27 airlines tracked.

What do people complain about most with Southwest Airlines?

The most common complaint category for Southwest Airlines is baggage. Lost, delayed, or damaged luggage. Airlines must compensate up to $3,800 for domestic baggage issues under DOT rules. If your bag is delayed, the airline must cover reasonable expenses for essentials you need while waiting.

How do I file a complaint against Southwest Airlines?

You can file a complaint against Southwest Airlines with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov, or use Flight Check's Disruption Desk to understand your rights and generate a complaint letter. Check what you're owed with the Compensation Calculator. Every DOT complaint is forwarded to Southwest Airlines's executive consumer affairs team.

Is Southwest Airlines complaint rate above or below average?

Southwest Airlines's complaint rate of 1.5 per 100K is 82% below the industry average of 8.2 per 100K. They rank #27 out of 27 airlines. See the full airline complaint rankings.

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Source: DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, January–December 2024.