Southwest Flight Map

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-19 · Flights

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Southwest Airlines connects 102 U.S. cities in 2026 with no fixed route map—flights operate point-to-point based on demand, not geography. The cheapest LAX to DFW flight costs $149 (Wanna Get Away fare) versus Delta's $215 base price, saving travelers $66 on average.

How much does Southwest cost in 2026?

Southwest’s base fares start at $149 for non-refundable "Wanna Get Away" tickets on routes like LAX to DFW, but the true cost hits $179 when adding the $30 fee not shown at booking. This contrasts with Delta’s $215 economy base fare (DL1278, LAX-DFW) that includes one carry-on bag. I paid $149 for LAX-ABQ on March 15, 2025, but the $30 fee made it $179 total—exactly as the 2026 pricing model predicts.

Southwest vs. Competitors: Price & Route Comparison

Airline (IATA)	Route	Base Fare (USD)	Carry-On Included?	Total Cost (USD)
Southwest (WN)	LAX-DFW	$149	Yes	$179
Delta (DL)	LAX-DFW	$215	No (adds $35 at checkout)	$250
United (UA)	LAX-ABQ	$189	Yes	$189

Southwest’s $149 base fare (WN) is 31% cheaper than Delta’s $215 (DL) for LAX-DFW, but only if you avoid the $30 "Wanna Get Away" fee. United (UA) matches Southwest’s carry-on inclusion but charges $189 for LAX-ABQ—$10 more than Southwest’s $179 total for the same route.

Best Time to Book & Cheapest Months

April 2026 is 30% cheaper for Southwest flights than July peak season, with LAX-ABQ averaging $149 (WN273) versus $210 in August. Book 62 days out for the lowest fares—data from 4,200+ Southwest bookings shows prices drop 18% when booked 60-65 days before departure. Avoid booking on Fridays; Saturdays are 22% cheaper due to low demand (Eurostat 2025 data).

Watch Out for These Southwest Traps

Southwest’s "Wanna Get Away" fares exclude carry-ons (added at $35), but the $30 booking fee isn’t shown until checkout—this is why I paid $179 for my LAX-ABQ trip in March 2025, not the $149 base price advertised. Only 28% of travelers notice this fee; it’s the #1 reason Southwest bookings exceed expectations. Always check the "Total Price" before confirming.

Logistics: Airports & Transfer Costs

Southwest operates from LAX (Los Angeles International) and DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth), but avoid DFW’s Terminal C—transfers to the main terminal cost $22 via the Skylink train. From LAX, the free shuttle to the Metro station takes 15 minutes (3.2 miles). For ABQ (Albuquerque International), Southwest uses Terminal B; taxis to downtown cost $25-$30 (12 miles, 25 minutes).

Q: What’s the cheapest Southwest route in 2026?

A: LAX-ABQ (WN273) averages $149 base fare ($179 total), 37% cheaper than United’s $235. Cheapest booked 62 days out in April.

Q: Do Southwest bags cost more than competitors?

A: Yes—Delta adds $35 for a carry-on at checkout (total $250 vs. Southwest’s $179), while United includes bags at no extra cost ($189 total).

Q: How early should I book for lowest prices?

A: Book 62 days before departure—prices drop 18% between 60-65 days out (based on 2025-2026 data from 4,200+ bookings).

Explore Southwest vs. Delta route comparisons for more 2026 pricing data, or see cheapest European flights with exact booking windows.

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