Southwest Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Yurii Moskalenko
08.08.2024
Updated 05.05.2025

Passengers of Southwest Airlines who have experienced a cancelled or delayed flight have a legal right to compensation. According to EU 261, an airline is obliged to compensate passengers if there’s a significant disruption. Here, we will look at your rights and the steps you should follow to get the compensation you have a right to from the airline.

Southwest Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Southwest Airlines compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in case of flight cancellation or delay.

Southwest Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU regulations, passengers may be entitled to up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight experiences a delay. It’s crucial to note that this flight delay compensation is calculated using the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim is the actual time you land at your destination airport.

Let’s take a look at how much compensation you could be eligible for if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation varies based on various criteria, such as the duration of the delay and the distance of your flight:

Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursDistance
€0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km
€0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
€0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
€0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Remember you may not always receive compensation for every flight delay. Southwest Airlines is not obliged to provide compensation when extraordinary circumstances outside their control occur. This includes bad weather, problems at the airport, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will usually not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Southwest Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to notify passengers of flight cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you might be eligible for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the flight distance. Nevertheless, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it could potentially avoid compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met:

Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements
14 DaysNone
7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

When accepting an alternative flight, passengers retain their right to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The amount of compensation is calculated based on two factors: the flight distance and the duration of the delay, according to the table below:

Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance
€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less
€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

Southwest Airlines doesn’t have to compensate you if they provide an alternative flight that departs and arrives close to the same time as your original flight. Also, you generally won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as adverse weather conditions or when airline workers go on strike.

Are Southwest Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from European Union member states as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Nevertheless, Southwest Airlines isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This is true even for their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.

ItineraryCovered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from Southwest Airlines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight delay or cancellation with Southwest Airlines, it’s important to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU laws. That’s why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
  • Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws well and will do our best to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will help you file your claim quickly and increase your chances of getting the compensation you’re owed. You may have plenty of time after your flight to submit a claim, but it’s best to file it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

Southwest Airlines goes the additional mile to support passengers during travel disruptions by offering services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, Southwest Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU 261, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

  • Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with meals and beverages appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
  • Communication: Southwest Airlines offers two free phone calls, emails, or fax messages to keep passengers connected with family or business contacts.
  • Accommodation: If the delay extends for the night or requires an additional stay, Southwest Airlines arranges hotel accommodation. This also covers transportation between the airport and the hotel.
  • Special Assistance: Extra care is given to passengers with reduced mobility or special needs.

To access these services, you can simply approach airline staff at the airport for instant assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Southwest Airlines cancels a flight, passengers have the option to get a full refund or rebook on another flight. This option is essential for minimizing travel inconveniences and helping passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances successfully.

  • Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can get full reimbursement for the parts of your trip that you didn’t use, including any tickets you only partly used. Also, if the cancellation means your trip no longer serves its original purpose, you may get a flight back to where you first started at the earliest chance.
  • Rebooking: if you choose to continue your trip, Southwest Airlines will provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to select an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, Southwest Airlines will arrange accommodation and transfers as needed. Furthermore, you have the right to be rebooked, even in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.

It’s important to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re eligible for a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking includes connecting flights, Southwest Airlines will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not just the cancelled segment.

Whether opting for a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to ensure this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations

Was your flight delayed or cancelled without a valid reason? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.

Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.

Date Airline (Flight number) Route Status Your compensation

29.05.202508:15

Southwest Airlines

8501

Baltimore (BWI)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Claim Refund

28.05.202511:30

Southwest Airlines

2225

New York (MCO)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Claim Refund

28.05.202510:40

Southwest Airlines

1589

Denver (DEN)

Chicago (ECP)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202521:35

Southwest Airlines

470

Denver (DEN)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202521:30

Southwest Airlines

2311

Denver (DEN)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202520:15

Southwest Airlines

2960

Las Vegas (LAS)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202519:45

Southwest Airlines

1372

San Diego (SAN)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202519:15

Southwest Airlines

2644

New York (MCO)

Louisville (SDF)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202518:50

Southwest Airlines

985

Las Vegas (LAS)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202518:45

Southwest Airlines

3906

San Jose (SJC)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202518:30

Southwest Airlines

1585

Chicago (MDW)

Louisville (SDF)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202516:35

Southwest Airlines

172

Denver (DEN)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202516:20

Southwest Airlines

1596

Denver (DEN)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202515:25

Southwest Airlines

1783

Buffalo (BUF)

Phoenix (PHX)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202515:15

Southwest Airlines

3419

Salt Lake City (SLC)

Chicago (DAL)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202514:55

Southwest Airlines

2225

Buffalo (BUF)

Baltimore (BWI)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202514:30

Southwest Airlines

1051

Salt Lake City (SLC)

Phoenix (PHX)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202513:10

Southwest Airlines

2729

Buffalo (BUF)

New York (MCO)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202512:45

Southwest Airlines

2798

Houston (HOU)

San Jose (SJC)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202512:05

Southwest Airlines

1783

New York (RSW)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202511:30

Southwest Airlines

2225

New York (MCO)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202510:55

Southwest Airlines

837

Houston (HOU)

Belize City (BZE)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202508:50

Southwest Airlines

1970

Houston (HOU)

El Paso (ELP)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202508:50

Southwest Airlines

3810

Houston (HOU)

Midland (MAF)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202508:45

Southwest Airlines

1452

Houston (HOU)

Ontario (ONT)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202508:05

Southwest Airlines

1777

Houston (HOU)

(DCA)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202506:00

Southwest Airlines

1636

Houston (HOU)

Chicago (DAL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202522:30

Southwest Airlines

8829

Denver (DEN)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202521:55

Southwest Airlines

2050

Seattle (SEA)

Los Angeles (SMF)

cancelled

Claim Refund

26.05.202521:55

Southwest Airlines

2084

Nashville (BNA)

San Antonio (SAT)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202521:10

Southwest Airlines

4164

San Jose (SJC)

Seattle (SEA)

cancelled

Claim Refund

26.05.202520:55

Southwest Airlines

2172

Houston (HOU)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202520:25

Southwest Airlines

368

Oakland (OAK)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202520:25

Southwest Airlines

4573

New York (MCO)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202520:25

Southwest Airlines

2428

New York (MCO)

San Antonio (SAT)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202520:15

Southwest Airlines

2858

Chicago (MDW)

San Antonio (SAT)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202520:05

Southwest Airlines

1372

San Diego (SAN)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202519:55

Southwest Airlines

4323

Las Vegas (LAS)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202519:50

Southwest Airlines

4301

Phoenix (PHX)

San Antonio (SAT)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202519:30

Southwest Airlines

2500

Phoenix (PHX)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202519:25

Southwest Airlines

3613

Denver (DEN)

Des Moines (DSM)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202519:20

Southwest Airlines

643

San Diego (SAN)

San Antonio (SAT)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202519:10

Southwest Airlines

2050

Denver (DEN)

Seattle (SEA)

cancelled

Claim Refund

26.05.202519:05

Southwest Airlines

4126

Islip (ISP)

West Palm Beach (PBI)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202519:05

Southwest Airlines

4134

New York (MCO)

Louisville (SDF)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202517:55

Southwest Airlines

1359

Las Vegas (LAS)

Louisville (SDF)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202517:20

Southwest Airlines

853

Baltimore (BWI)

Houston (HOU)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202517:00

Southwest Airlines

1899

Baltimore (BWI)

Windsor Locks (BDL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202517:00

Southwest Airlines

3751

Baltimore (BWI)

New York (MCO)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202516:50

Southwest Airlines

820

Baltimore (BWI)

Jackson (JAN)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202515:25

Southwest Airlines

3483

Baltimore (BWI)

Jacksonville (JAX)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202515:20

Southwest Airlines

197

Oklahoma City (OKC)

Austin (AUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202514:55

Southwest Airlines

3358

Albuquerque (ABQ)

Baltimore (BWI)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202514:55

Southwest Airlines

1565

Oklahoma City (OKC)

New York (MCO)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202514:50

Southwest Airlines

3385

Baltimore (BWI)

Sarasota (SRQ)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202514:25

Southwest Airlines

1207

Baltimore (BWI)

Portland (PWM)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202514:15

Southwest Airlines

1817

Oklahoma City (OKC)

Nashville (BNA)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202514:00

Southwest Airlines

1902

Baltimore (BWI)

Boston (BOS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202514:00

Southwest Airlines

1189

Baltimore (BWI)

Rochester (ROC)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202514:00

Southwest Airlines

324

Albuquerque (ABQ)

Las Vegas (LAS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202513:55

Southwest Airlines

580

Salt Lake City (SLC)

Baltimore (BWI)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202513:35

Southwest Airlines

1973

Baltimore (BWI)

Chicago (DAL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202513:30

Southwest Airlines

2736

Baltimore (BWI)

Minneapolis (MSP)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202513:25

Southwest Airlines

140

Baltimore (BWI)

New York (MCO)

cancelled

Claim Refund

26.05.202513:20

Southwest Airlines

2404

Oklahoma City (OKC)

Houston (HOU)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202513:05

Southwest Airlines

1823

Nashville (BNA)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202513:00

Southwest Airlines

3011

Denver (DEN)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202512:50

Southwest Airlines

1623

Baltimore (BWI)

Denver (DEN)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202512:15

Southwest Airlines

392

Las Vegas (LAS)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202511:40

Southwest Airlines

1129

Chicago (MDW)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202510:20

Southwest Airlines

8700

Tulsa (TUL)

Chicago (DAL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202510:05

Southwest Airlines

411

Tucson (TUS)

Denver (DEN)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202510:00

Southwest Airlines

1938

Tulsa (TUL)

Austin (AUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202509:35

Southwest Airlines

2323

Chicago (DAL)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202507:55

Southwest Airlines

2369

Houston (HOU)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202520:45

Southwest Airlines

3152

Phoenix (PHX)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202520:40

Southwest Airlines

368

Oakland (OAK)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202519:20

Southwest Airlines

1121

Houston (HOU)

Chicago (ECP)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202516:00

Southwest Airlines

4332

Phoenix (PHX)

Louisville (SDF)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202514:55

Southwest Airlines

1693

Houston (HOU)

Louisville (SDF)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202514:35

Southwest Airlines

3321

Nashville (BNA)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202510:30

Southwest Airlines

7

Houston (HOU)

Chicago (MDW)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202509:25

Southwest Airlines

360

Tucson (TUS)

Chicago (MDW)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202509:00

Southwest Airlines

2225

Tampa (TPA)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202508:05

Southwest Airlines

4047

New York (MCO)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202506:55

Southwest Airlines

287

Tulsa (TUL)

St Louis (STL)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202506:05

Southwest Airlines

3439

Tulsa (TUL)

Las Vegas (LAS)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202520:30

Southwest Airlines

1839

Phoenix (PHX)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202508:40

Southwest Airlines

4148

New York (MCO)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202520:35

Southwest Airlines

4573

New York (MCO)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202520:05

Southwest Airlines

1372

San Diego (SAN)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202519:30

Southwest Airlines

3680

Los Angeles (LAX)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202518:40

Southwest Airlines

172

Tucson (TUS)

Las Vegas (LAS)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202517:05

Southwest Airlines

172

Denver (DEN)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202515:25

Southwest Airlines

269

Las Vegas (LAS)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202511:35

Southwest Airlines

2754

Las Vegas (LAS)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202509:15

Southwest Airlines

3521

Tampa (TPA)

Chicago (MDW)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202522:15

Southwest Airlines

3748

Chicago (DAL)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202521:40

Southwest Airlines

1009

Denver (DEN)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202521:40

Southwest Airlines

2951

Denver (DEN)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Claim Refund
Yurii Moskalenko
2296 articles
Yurii educates people about human rights and advocacy. He creates helpful materials for travelers to assert their rights. With certifications in law and economics, Yurii turns legal terms into simple, actionable advice. His travel experience gives him valuable insight into the challenges travelers face, helping him better understand their needs.

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