Changing Southwest Departure Airport: A Simple Guide

Changing your departure airport with Southwest Airlines is a simple and smooth process. The airline offers a no-fee change policy, meaning you can change your flight without penalty, as long as you do so at least 10 minutes before your original flight departure time. You can change your flight online or by phone, depending on how you booked it. If you booked your flight online, you can change it by logging into your Southwest account, clicking the Change/Cancel tab, entering your confirmation number and name, and selecting the flight you wish to change. If you booked your flight by phone, you must change it by calling the Southwest Reservations Department at 1-800-435-9792. You will need to provide your confirmation number, name, and new travel details. It is important to note that any changes made will apply to all passengers included in your reservation.

Changing departure airport via phone

Changing your departure airport over the phone with Southwest Airlines is a smooth and easy process. The airline has a "no-penalty change policy", meaning you won't be charged a fee for changing your flight. The only rule is that you must make the change at least 10 minutes before your originally scheduled departure.

If you booked your current flight by phone, you will have to call Southwest to make changes by phone as well. Call no later than 10 minutes before your original departure. Southwest's Reservations Department can be reached at 1-800-435-9792. Follow the automated prompts until you get to a live customer service representative. Have your confirmation number, as well as the first and last name of the person who booked the flight, ready.

Tell the representative that you want to change your flight and provide your new travel details, such as the new dates, times, or cities you need. The representative will then provide you with your new flight options and the related pricing. Select your new flight and finish the transaction. If your new flight costs more, you will have to pay the difference. If it costs less, you will be refunded.

There is one exception: if you booked a "Wanna Get Away" flight, you will not get a refund, but a Travel Funds credit that you can use for future flights. This voucher will be valid for one year from the day of the change.

Changing departure airport online

Changing your departure airport online is a straightforward process with Southwest Airlines. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you make the change:

Step 1: Log in to Your Southwest Account

Go to the Southwest Airlines website and log in to your account. If you don't remember your login credentials, you can use the "Need help logging in?" option to retrieve them.

Step 2: Access Your Itinerary

Once you are logged in, navigate to your itinerary. You can usually find this by clicking on your name or profile icon and selecting "My Trips" or "Manage Trips."

Step 3: Select the Flight You Want to Change

On your itinerary page, you will see the details of your booked flights. Select the specific flight or flights you want to change. You can change just your departure, just your return, or both.

Step 4: Enter New Details and Search for Flights

After selecting the flights you want to change, you will be prompted to enter new details. Here, you can input your new departure airport, as well as any other changes you want to make, such as the date or time. Click on the "Search" button to look for available flights that match your new criteria.

Step 5: Choose Your New Flight

Southwest will provide you with a list of available flights based on your new preferences. Review the options and select the flight that works best for you. Keep in mind that if your new flight costs more than the original one, you will need to pay the difference. If it costs less, Southwest will refund you the difference.

Step 6: Confirm and Purchase

Review your new itinerary to ensure that all the details are correct. Then, confirm the changes and complete the purchase. You will receive a confirmation email with your updated flight information.

It's important to note that Southwest has a "no-fee change policy," which means you can make changes to your flight without paying a penalty fee. However, this does not include any difference in fare, which you may need to pay if your new flight is more expensive. Additionally, if you originally booked your flight over the phone, you will need to make changes by phone as well.

Same-day change

Same-day standby allows you to retain your current flight while listing for standby on an earlier flight via the Southwest app or mobile web, should one become available. To do this, access your itinerary on the Southwest app or mobile web at least 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled departure. You can also ask a Southwest agent at the ticket counter or departure gate. Same-day standby is free of airline charges, although government taxes and fees may apply but will be refunded.

If you are an A-List or A-List Preferred Member, you can take advantage of free same-day changes, even with Wanna Get Away fares. However, you will lose your boarding position assigned to your earlier flight and get the lowest available boarding position after you change and check in again.

If you are looking to fly into another airport in the same metro area, you may be able to switch without any additional cost. For example, switching between SFO and OAK, or LAX and BUR. However, if you want to switch between airports that are not in the same metro area, you may not be able to get it done as a free change, and you would need to call to request this type of change.

Same-day standby

You can request same-day standby through the Southwest app or mobile web, or by asking a Southwest agent at the ticket counter or departure gate. It's important to note that you must make this request at least 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled departure. The standby list can be cleared anytime from an hour to 10 minutes before departure, so it's best to be at the airport ready to board if you're hoping to get on an earlier flight.

Good news—same-day standby is free of airline charges! However, you may need to pay government taxes and fees, which will be refunded.

The priority order for the standby list is as follows:

• Customers who are re-accommodated following flight disruptions
• A-List Preferred and A-List Rapid Reward Members, prioritized based on fare type
• All other customers, prioritized by the same fare order

Any other tips?

Yes! If you're an A-List Preferred or A-List member, be sure to log in to your account when accessing your itinerary. Additionally, while same-day standby is a great option, it's not available for group bookings or unaccompanied minors.

Changing departure airport at the airport

Changing your departure airport at the airport is possible, but it may not always be a simple process and could incur additional costs. It is recommended that you call ahead to request such a change, and in some cases, you may need to cancel your current itinerary and rebook.

If you are changing your departure airport within the same metro area, this is more likely to be a free change. For example, switching from SFO to OAK, LAX to BUR, or BWI to DCA. However, if you are changing to an airport in a different city, you will likely need to reprice your entire itinerary, which could be more expensive.

Some airlines may allow you to make changes to your flight for free within 24 hours of booking, but this may not be the case for all airlines or all types of changes.

It is always a good idea to check the policies of the specific airline you are flying with, as well as the terms and conditions of your booking, to understand any fees or restrictions that may apply when changing your departure airport.

In some cases, if you arrive at the airport early and there are delays or issues with your original flight, the staff may be able to assist you in changing your departure airport. However, this is not guaranteed, and it is always best to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to allow for any necessary changes or adjustments.

Frequently asked questions