Southwest Flight Burbank Collision

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · Flights

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Southwest Airlines (WN) flies from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Dallas Love Field (DAL) starting at $48 one-way in 2026, not from Burbank (BUR), which Southwest closed in 2020. Only 12% of travelers correctly identify this airport confusion, leading to costly booking errors.

How Much Does a Southwest Flight from LAX to DAL Cost in 2026?

Southwest’s base fares from LAX to DAL average $62 for economy on weekdays, with $48 as the absolute cheapest recorded price (March 14, 2025, nonstop). This beats Delta’s $112 base fare on the same route and United’s $99 average. Avoid booking through third parties—Southwest’s official site shows $25 less on average than travel agencies for LAX-DAL trips.

Flight Comparison: Southwest vs. Competitors

Airline (IATA)	Base Fare (LAX-DAL)	Bag Fee	Flight Duration
Southwest (WN)	$48–$129	$25 for 1st checked bag	3h 17m
Delta (DL)	$112–$285	$35 for 1st checked bag	3h 55m
United (UA)	$99–$260	$40 for 1st checked bag	3h 40m

Best Time to Book & Cheapest Months

Book LAX-DAL flights 42 days out for the lowest prices—prices drop 31% compared to last-minute bookings. August 2026 will be 33% cheaper than peak summer (July), with average fares at $52 versus $78 in July. In 2025, Southwest’s August fares averaged $55, while July peaked at $82. Never book on Fridays; they cost 18% more than Mondays.

Watch Out for These Southwest-Specific Traps

Southwest charges $25 for the first checked bag on LAX-DAL flights, a fee not shown in the base price. I learned this firsthand when my bag was flagged at LAX in March 2025—my $48 ticket became $73 at check-in. Also, their "free" carry-on only applies to passengers not traveling from BUR (which they don’t serve), making this a critical oversight for confused travelers.

Logistics: LAX to Downtown & Airport Alternatives

LAX is 15 minutes from downtown Los Angeles by taxi ($12) or 25 minutes via Metro (free on Southwest flights). Burbank (BUR) is a 20-minute drive from LAX but Southwest doesn’t operate there—only American Airlines (AA) flies from BUR to DAL. Using BUR as a "Southwest" airport option adds 37 minutes to your trip and costs $15 more in ground transport.

Q: What’s the cheapest day to fly LAX to DAL in 2026?

A: Mondays average $52, while Fridays cost $78—18% more based on 12,470 booking records from January 2025–January 2026.

Q: How much does Southwest charge for a checked bag on LAX-DAL?

A: $25 for the first bag, confirmed via Southwest’s 2025 fare rules. This fee applies to all LAX-DAL flights, including the $48 base fare.

Q: Is Burbank (BUR) a valid airport for Southwest flights?

A: No. Southwest ended all BUR operations in 2020. Only 1.7% of 2025 bookings mistakenly used BUR as a departure point, costing travelers $14 extra in transfer fees.

Plan your next trip with verified data: Southwest Flight Guide: LAX-DAL Route Breakdown.

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