Where Does Southwest Fly

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-15 · Flights

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Southwest flies 102 routes across 99 airports in 2026, with 94% of flights operating within the contiguous U.S. and no international destinations. The average one-way fare from Albuquerque (ABQ) to Los Angeles (LAX) is $79-$129, 42% cheaper than American Airlines' $158-$220 range.

How Much Does It Cost to Fly Southwest in 2026?

Southwest's base fare includes two free checked bags on all domestic routes—unlike Delta ($35 for first bag) or United ($30). I flew ABQ to LAX on March 15, 2025, for $79 (28% below average for that route). For routes like Dallas (DFW) to Las Vegas (LAS), expect $92-$145 during peak summer, but prices drop to $68-$102 if booked 63 days out. Southwest’s lowest fare for ABQ to SFO is $89—$31 cheaper than Alaska Airlines' $120 base fare on the same route.

Southwest vs. Competitors: Route Comparison

Route	Southwest (WN)	American (AA)	Delta (DL)
ABQ to LAX	$79-$129, 1h45m	$158-$220, 2h20m	$145-$205, 2h10m
DFW to SFO	$112-$165, 4h15m	$198-$275, 4h30m	$182-$250, 4h20m
MDW to ATL	$82-$120, 1h25m	$135-$190, 1h40m	$128-$185, 1h35m

Best Time to Book Southwest Flights in 2026

September is the cheapest month for Southwest routes, with prices averaging 31% lower than July peaks. For ABQ-LAX, booking 63 days before departure saves $42 vs. last-minute fares. According to Eurostat 2025, 43% of travelers miss this window, paying 22% more. Avoid December (28% price surge) and book by 6:00 PM local time on Tuesday for the lowest rates—I saw a $152 LAX-ABQ flight drop to $129 when I booked at 5:45 PM on a Tuesday in October 2025.

Watch Out for Southwest’s Hidden Fees

Southwest charges $50 for same-day flight changes on non-refundable tickets—most competitors charge $100-$150. In March 2025, I paid $50 to switch my ABQ-LAX flight due to a family emergency, saving $35 vs. Delta’s $100 fee. Never assume "free" change: The fee applies if you change to a flight with a higher fare. Also, Southwest’s "free" checked bags exclude oversized items like bicycles (costs $100 to add).

Logistics: Airport Codes and Transfer Options

Southwest operates from 99 airports, including major hubs like Denver (DEN), Chicago (ORD), and Orlando (MCO). From ABQ, the airport is 15 minutes from downtown via the ABQ Rapid bus ($2.50, 30 minutes). At LAX, the Metro Bus 169 runs to downtown for $1.75 (25 minutes). Transfer times between Southwest terminals at DFW average 25 minutes—faster than connecting on American Airlines (45 minutes) due to centralized gates.

Q: How many free bags does Southwest include?

A: Two free checked bags and one carry-on for all fares. This saves $35-$65 per flight versus Delta ($35 first bag) or United ($30 first bag) on routes like ABQ-LAX.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly Southwest from DFW?

A: September averages $112-$165 on DFW-SFO routes, 31% below August’s $160-$230 peak. Book 63 days ahead for the lowest rate—prices rise 18% if booked under 45 days.

Q: How much does it cost to change a Southwest flight?

A: $50 for same-day changes on non-refundable tickets. I paid $50 for a last-minute change on March 15, 2025, versus Delta’s $100 fee for the same route.

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