Fees & policies
Southwest Airlines fee schedule (2026)
Southwest Airlines seat selection starts at $0 — open seating, no assigned seats. Flight changes cost $0 for all fare types — free changes always. Bringing a pet in the cabin runs $125 each way. The full table below covers every optional-service fee Southwest Airlines publishes for 2026 — so there are no surprises at checkout.
Seat fees
| Fee type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard seat selection | $0 — open seating, no assigned seats |
| Preferred seat (front/aisle) | EarlyBird Check-In: $15–$25 per person (improves boarding position, not a specific seat) |
| Exit row / extra legroom | $0 — no assigned seats at all, self-select at boarding |
Change & cancel fees
| Fee type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Flight change fee | $0 for all fare types — free changes always |
| Cancellation / refund | $0 — Wanna Get Away cancels to travel credit; Business Select cancels to original payment |
| Same-day change / standby | $0 — rebook on any earlier/later flight, same price or pay the fare difference |
Other fees
| Fee type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pet in cabin | $125 each way |
| Phone booking fee | $0 |
| Unaccompanied minor | $100 each way (lower than most carriers) |
Does Southwest Airlines charge a fee to select a seat?
$0 — open seating, no assigned seats. Preferred seats near the front or with extra legroom run EarlyBird Check-In: $15–$25 per person (improves boarding position, not a specific seat). Exit rows: $0 — no assigned seats at all, self-select at boarding.
What is Southwest Airlines's flight change fee?
$0 for all fare types — free changes always. Same-day changes: $0 — rebook on any earlier/later flight, same price or pay the fare difference. Cancellations: $0 — Wanna Get Away cancels to travel credit; Business Select cancels to original payment.
How much does Southwest Airlines charge to bring a pet in the cabin?
Southwest Airlines charges $125 each way for a pet in the cabin. Always call ahead to confirm space — most airlines limit the number of pets per flight.
Does Southwest Airlines charge a fee to book by phone?
$0. Southwest Airlines does not add a service charge for phone bookings.
More Southwest Airlines guides
Fee data verified . Fees are subject to change — confirm at Southwest Airlines's official website before booking.