Southwest Airlines delays: Know your rights
Flying with budget airlines like Southwest Airlines (founded in 1967, headquartered in Dallas, EE. UU.) is a great way to save money, but when disruptions happen, cheap tickets shouldn't mean losing your rights.
Under European Regulation EC 261, the price of your ticket does not matter. If Southwest Airlines delays your flight by more than 3 hours or cancels it at the last minute, you have the exact same right to claim up to €600 compensation as passengers flying first class.
Under European Regulation EC 261, the price of your ticket does not matter. If Southwest Airlines delays your flight by more than 3 hours or cancels it at the last minute, you have the exact same right to claim up to €600 compensation as passengers flying first class.
Today's Southwest Airlines flight tracking
Looking at 20000 daily flights operated by Southwest Airlines:
- 82% of flights departed on schedule.
- 2.5% were cancelled.
- 15.5% landed with delays.
Your EC 261 rights against Southwest Airlines
Budget airlines must strictly adhere to the passenger rights established by law. You can claim from Southwest Airlines if:
schedule
Delay > 3 Hours
If your Southwest Airlines flight arrives at the destination gate over 3 hours late.
cancel
Cancellation
If Southwest Airlines announces a cancellation less than two weeks before departure.
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Overbooking
If Southwest Airlines sold more tickets than seats and denies you boarding.
How much can Southwest Airlines owe you?
Budget airlines like Southwest Airlines mostly operate short-haul flights within Europe, where the standard €250 compensation applies, though longer flights earn more:
- euro_symbol€250: Most Southwest Airlines flights (up to 1,500km).
- euro_symbol€400: For Southwest Airlines flights between 1,500km and 3,500km.
- euro_symbol€600: Only applicable for flights over 3,500km.
Southwest Airlines baggage issues
If your luggage doesn't appear on the carousel, report it to the Southwest Airlines desk immediately and get a PIR form before leaving.
Action plan: Southwest Airlines delays
Don't panic if your Southwest Airlines flight is disrupted. Do this instead:
- 1 Save documents: Keep your Southwest Airlines reference number and boarding pass safe.
- 2 Check the reason: Ask Southwest Airlines staff why the flight is disrupted and note it down.
- 3 Ask for vouchers: Insist that Southwest Airlines provides food and water if you wait more than 2 hours at the terminal.
- 4 Decline travel vouchers: Southwest Airlines might offer air miles or small vouchers. Refuse them if you want cash compensation.
- 5 Keep receipts: Save receipts for taxis or hotels if Southwest Airlines leaves you stranded overnight.
What if Southwest Airlines cancels my flight?
You are legally entitled to either a full refund of your Southwest Airlines ticket or a re-routing to your destination. Furthermore, if you weren't warned 14 days in advance, you can claim extra cash compensation.
Long delays with Southwest Airlines
If you finally arrive at your destination with a delay exceeding 3 hours, Southwest Airlines owes you money. The compensation is a fixed rate set by law.
Overbooked by Southwest Airlines?
Like many carriers, Southwest Airlines may occasionally overbook flights. If you are denied boarding, you are immediately eligible for compensation.
When is Southwest Airlines exempt?
If the delay was caused by severe weather, airport security issues, or Air Traffic Control strikes, Southwest Airlines is exempt from paying compensation. These are 'extraordinary circumstances'.
Strikes by Southwest Airlines staff
If Southwest Airlines's own pilots or cabin crews go on strike, this is within the airline's control. You are entitled to claim compensation.
How long to claim from Southwest Airlines?
You don't have to claim immediately. Most European jurisdictions allow you to claim for Southwest Airlines flights disrupted in the last 3-5 years.
Why use our service for Southwest Airlines claims?
Claiming from budget airlines can involve endless automated emails and loops. We cut through the red tape. If we don't win your claim against Southwest Airlines, you pay us nothing.