Southwest Airlines flight disrupted?
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What happened?
Southwest Airlines contact info
What Southwest Airlines pledges for controllable delays
Voluntary commitments — not law. Subject to Oct 2026 carve-out.
Meal vouchers
Provided for controllable delays
Hotel for overnight delays
Provided for controllable overnight delays
Ground transportation
Transport to hotel provided
Source: DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard
What to know about Southwest Airlines
Southwest doesn't assign seats, so when your flight is cancelled and you're rebooked, boarding position is first-come-first-served. No interline agreements means they can't rebook you on other airlines. They also don't appear on most flight search engines, so check southwest.com directly for alternatives.
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Common questions
What are my rights when Southwest Airlines cancels my flight?
When Southwest Airlines cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full cash refund to your original payment method — even for non-refundable tickets. This is federal law (14 CFR Part 260). Southwest Airlines must also rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost.
Does Southwest Airlines provide hotel and meals for delays?
For controllable delays (not weather), Southwest Airlines pledges meal vouchers, hotel accommodations for overnight delays, and ground transportation. These are voluntary commitments, not federal law. The October 2026 DOT rule expanded what airlines can classify as "uncontrollable."
How do I contact Southwest Airlines about a disrupted flight?
Call Southwest Airlines at 1-800-435-9792. For complaints, email customer.relations@wnco.com or DM @SouthwestAir on Twitter/X. For refunds, go to https://www.southwest.com/refund.
How long does a Southwest Airlines refund take?
By federal law, Southwest Airlines must process refunds within 7 business days for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for cash or check payments. If they don't, file a DOT complaint.
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