The TRUTH About the NEW Southwest Airlines in 2026
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Date: 2026-07-10
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Comments and reviews: 20
user-s3o9t
The on time arrival' assessment used here of onetime to the minute or late is flawed. Even the FAA (who tracks onetime arrivals for all US airlines) uses posted arrival time plus fourteen minutes as an on time arrival to account for small ATC, airport system, and ramp delays. That metric allows a few minutes of delay here and there - which often are not controlled by the airline - but still, as you experienced, normally allow a passenger to make a connecting flight before it actually leaves without them. Given the weather conditions at some of the locations in this marathon set up to fail back to back separately ticketed legs through 12 large quasi hubs I would contend the airline performed incredibly well. And if the accepted FAA on time arrival was utilized the on time arrival rate would have been nearly perfect. Try that on a major and you'd be left in one of their hubs for hours or an outlying city for, uh, a lot more than an hour. Or on a one of the ULCCs (ultra low cost carriers like Frontier or Allegiant) and you'd likely be left until the next time they fly that route (usually 3 days later. I challenge you to try 12 flights in a row with similar turn times on any of them and see how they perform. Save your flying miles for last minute hotels on that challenge!
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The on time arrival' assessment used here of onetime to the minute or late is flawed. Even the FAA (who tracks onetime arrivals for all US airlines) uses posted arrival time plus fourteen minutes as an on time arrival to account for small ATC, airport system, and ramp delays. That metric allows a few minutes of delay here and there - which often are not controlled by the airline - but still, as you experienced, normally allow a passenger to make a connecting flight before it actually leaves without them. Given the weather conditions at some of the locations in this marathon set up to fail back to back separately ticketed legs through 12 large quasi hubs I would contend the airline performed incredibly well. And if the accepted FAA on time arrival was utilized the on time arrival rate would have been nearly perfect. Try that on a major and you'd be left in one of their hubs for hours or an outlying city for, uh, a lot more than an hour. Or on a one of the ULCCs (ultra low cost carriers like Frontier or Allegiant) and you'd likely be left until the next time they fly that route (usually 3 days later. I challenge you to try 12 flights in a row with similar turn times on any of them and see how they perform. Save your flying miles for last minute hotels on that challenge!
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roytee3127
Not buying it. Lots of made-up drama and little actual information.
If anything, it sounded pretty good to this veteran Southwest flier.
They chained together 12 flights in 44 hours and didn't miss any of them. That sounds like a miracle to me.
The short delays in arrivals matched the short delays in departures. It didn't fall apart like they predicted.
I'm not at all sure what that magic that has been lost consisted of, other than the cattle-call lineups in groups pre-selected long before when checking in for the flight. And oodles of special-boarding groups that made for annoying long delays in general boarding.
Is that staff grumpier
The magic now is that you get to choose your seat for all but the lowest fare. Like they did during most of these flights.
The carry-on luggage situation was always terrible. Is it even worse
Yeah, paying for checked baggage sucks. Fly Frontier Airlines and it sucks even worse.
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Not buying it. Lots of made-up drama and little actual information.
If anything, it sounded pretty good to this veteran Southwest flier.
They chained together 12 flights in 44 hours and didn't miss any of them. That sounds like a miracle to me.
The short delays in arrivals matched the short delays in departures. It didn't fall apart like they predicted.
I'm not at all sure what that magic that has been lost consisted of, other than the cattle-call lineups in groups pre-selected long before when checking in for the flight. And oodles of special-boarding groups that made for annoying long delays in general boarding.
Is that staff grumpier
The magic now is that you get to choose your seat for all but the lowest fare. Like they did during most of these flights.
The carry-on luggage situation was always terrible. Is it even worse
Yeah, paying for checked baggage sucks. Fly Frontier Airlines and it sucks even worse.
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Oldtimered
My Family traveled by air many times to be where my Father was stationed. Dad was USAF Rocket Scientist. He had to inform others of what they had inside their tall lighthouses built upside down. He would do some alone, but if there is an Officers Family Quarters, a restaurant off base and was near the Base. Mom would pack us 4 siblings on an USAF Troop Carrier which would normally be full, But sometimes we were the only passengers. We ran up and down the aisles, got free food and toys. It was great, then. Today I despise flying for the price, the insolent kids of do nothing parents, which are also on my list, everybody who thinks Deodorant is a choice! It's not a choice, it's a Demand! Respect the crowd you’re in, because a crowd can inflict painful lessons, and then, not see a thing. Haven’t found a crowd to do that with in a long time, I miss the Old Military.
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My Family traveled by air many times to be where my Father was stationed. Dad was USAF Rocket Scientist. He had to inform others of what they had inside their tall lighthouses built upside down. He would do some alone, but if there is an Officers Family Quarters, a restaurant off base and was near the Base. Mom would pack us 4 siblings on an USAF Troop Carrier which would normally be full, But sometimes we were the only passengers. We ran up and down the aisles, got free food and toys. It was great, then. Today I despise flying for the price, the insolent kids of do nothing parents, which are also on my list, everybody who thinks Deodorant is a choice! It's not a choice, it's a Demand! Respect the crowd you’re in, because a crowd can inflict painful lessons, and then, not see a thing. Haven’t found a crowd to do that with in a long time, I miss the Old Military.
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Spyke-lz2hl
I don’t understand all these comments about Southwest losing their magic. Compare their employees to United or American when you get to the airport and tell me you don’t see that southwest is way friendlier and efficient. Everyone wants to go back in time and say it’s better. Southwest isn’t operating a fleet of 40 airplanes anymore, back when they were small and different, whatever that means. Now, they fly more domestic passengers every day than anyone else, and those clamoring for the good old days forget that southwest didn’t even go to their city back then.
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I don’t understand all these comments about Southwest losing their magic. Compare their employees to United or American when you get to the airport and tell me you don’t see that southwest is way friendlier and efficient. Everyone wants to go back in time and say it’s better. Southwest isn’t operating a fleet of 40 airplanes anymore, back when they were small and different, whatever that means. Now, they fly more domestic passengers every day than anyone else, and those clamoring for the good old days forget that southwest didn’t even go to their city back then.
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bobbypaluga4346
Southwest has lost everything that made it special, there is no Herb Kellaher left. It’s a sloppily run airline today with premium legend fares and personal that no longer take pride in their work. The last flight I took on the new Southwest was $163 from PHX to LAX prior to that I paid $599 each way PHX to HOU and back. I can fly Allegiant for 1/3 the price out of my close by Mesa Gateway and Breeze Khadijah great fares and better service out of Sky Harbor when the newer entries do better for less where can WN go after giving up their uniqueness
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Southwest has lost everything that made it special, there is no Herb Kellaher left. It’s a sloppily run airline today with premium legend fares and personal that no longer take pride in their work. The last flight I took on the new Southwest was $163 from PHX to LAX prior to that I paid $599 each way PHX to HOU and back. I can fly Allegiant for 1/3 the price out of my close by Mesa Gateway and Breeze Khadijah great fares and better service out of Sky Harbor when the newer entries do better for less where can WN go after giving up their uniqueness
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artflorez1568
I fly from New Orleans to NYC regularly and I generally fly non-stop so that limits me to Delta, Jet Blue and Southwest. I am tall so I generally fly First Class on Delta so that I can get the front row bulkhead seat. I did a cost comparison between Delta First Class and the Choice Extra on Southwest, and Southwest has been more expensive and you don't get a free meal or any of the other frills that go with First Class on Delta, including the fact that you get wider, more comfortable seats that are only two across instead of three.
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I fly from New Orleans to NYC regularly and I generally fly non-stop so that limits me to Delta, Jet Blue and Southwest. I am tall so I generally fly First Class on Delta so that I can get the front row bulkhead seat. I did a cost comparison between Delta First Class and the Choice Extra on Southwest, and Southwest has been more expensive and you don't get a free meal or any of the other frills that go with First Class on Delta, including the fact that you get wider, more comfortable seats that are only two across instead of three.
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moseybear
Wall Street destroys everything it touches. This is an example. Those changes from the old Southwest to the new version are made to make it continuous with the norm -- easier for future mergers. Make no mistake, the trend here is not a good one for passengers. Death -- by a thousand cuts. The capstone goal is to eliminate all commercial air travel and most private cars. What next Making you pay to use the restrooms Time to end the investor economy altogether and return to the labor-based economy.
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Wall Street destroys everything it touches. This is an example. Those changes from the old Southwest to the new version are made to make it continuous with the norm -- easier for future mergers. Make no mistake, the trend here is not a good one for passengers. Death -- by a thousand cuts. The capstone goal is to eliminate all commercial air travel and most private cars. What next Making you pay to use the restrooms Time to end the investor economy altogether and return to the labor-based economy.
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shayanshahriar7882
The worst part is Southwest went complete ryan air with the assigned seating. I have flown assigned seating with Delta/ United/ AA and they always let you move seats as long as it's the same fare class. SW, now, would let a row fly empty while cramping 3 grown men in the row next to it. I have flown 6 SW segments since the assigned seating and same experience. I have not personally asked to change seats but I have seen others asking and getting denied by gate agent / cabin crew.
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The worst part is Southwest went complete ryan air with the assigned seating. I have flown assigned seating with Delta/ United/ AA and they always let you move seats as long as it's the same fare class. SW, now, would let a row fly empty while cramping 3 grown men in the row next to it. I have flown 6 SW segments since the assigned seating and same experience. I have not personally asked to change seats but I have seen others asking and getting denied by gate agent / cabin crew.
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Kitkat805
Instead of LAX, you should check out Burbank airport!
Southwest used to be my go-to airline to visit friends up in the bay area. I could fly from BUR to Oak or SFO for around $59 each way.
Not anymore. And I personally loved the free-for-all boarding. That way you can avoid screaming babies or folks who brought on stinky food.
Also fun fact- at Burbank airport, you can board/depart from front and back of the plane. It goes a lot faster!
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Instead of LAX, you should check out Burbank airport!
Southwest used to be my go-to airline to visit friends up in the bay area. I could fly from BUR to Oak or SFO for around $59 each way.
Not anymore. And I personally loved the free-for-all boarding. That way you can avoid screaming babies or folks who brought on stinky food.
Also fun fact- at Burbank airport, you can board/depart from front and back of the plane. It goes a lot faster!
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gunner6912
I was a loyal SW customer for decades. Now, almost every trip with them has problems from cancellations, to more than 3 hrs delays, to forcing me to gate check a bag only to see multiple empty slots for bags, including an empty bin just a row away from my seat. Per the flight attendant they anticipated it would be full. They’re just punishing people for choosing basic. If they’re going to act like American, I’ll avoid them like American.
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I was a loyal SW customer for decades. Now, almost every trip with them has problems from cancellations, to more than 3 hrs delays, to forcing me to gate check a bag only to see multiple empty slots for bags, including an empty bin just a row away from my seat. Per the flight attendant they anticipated it would be full. They’re just punishing people for choosing basic. If they’re going to act like American, I’ll avoid them like American.
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whitehairedlady760
Just flown with SW. Boarding group does not affect me as I am a wheelchair user. Magic has gone - remember when they used to make jokes and make it all fun But helpful as usual, and friendly. Paper cups have taken over, and nice to see they use paper cups now. Unremarkable otherwise, plane floor was clean, armrests up and down easily except for aisle seat. No power outlets of any kind. so will use SW along with other airlines.
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Just flown with SW. Boarding group does not affect me as I am a wheelchair user. Magic has gone - remember when they used to make jokes and make it all fun But helpful as usual, and friendly. Paper cups have taken over, and nice to see they use paper cups now. Unremarkable otherwise, plane floor was clean, armrests up and down easily except for aisle seat. No power outlets of any kind. so will use SW along with other airlines.
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lindabeebe
SWA was my favorite airline for years! Reliable, the best fares, great customer service and I really admired their efficient business model. But no more. There prices have gone up so much I don't remember the last time I used them. I'm flying Southwest later this month from DFW to NOLA using points. I chose Choice to get the free bag and standard seat choice. Frontier doesn't even let you have a carry on for free anymore.
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SWA was my favorite airline for years! Reliable, the best fares, great customer service and I really admired their efficient business model. But no more. There prices have gone up so much I don't remember the last time I used them. I'm flying Southwest later this month from DFW to NOLA using points. I chose Choice to get the free bag and standard seat choice. Frontier doesn't even let you have a carry on for free anymore.
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michaelwiggins3663
I don't understand the point of this video. Taking a bunch of flights in one day is the definition of anecdotal evidence and when delays happen early in the day, for whatever reason, they are likely to ripple effect the entire day. On-time statistics are published for this very reason. May 2026 Southwest was at 77% which was 4th best while Delta led at only 80. 9%. Could have stayed home
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I don't understand the point of this video. Taking a bunch of flights in one day is the definition of anecdotal evidence and when delays happen early in the day, for whatever reason, they are likely to ripple effect the entire day. On-time statistics are published for this very reason. May 2026 Southwest was at 77% which was 4th best while Delta led at only 80. 9%. Could have stayed home
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bas3q
Southwest zealots: But did you die though
I used to be a Southwest fan in the Herb Kelleher days. Took my family on our first family vacation to Disney World on Southwest. I have a lot of happy Southwest memories. But I can’t say this clearly enough: You will never catch me flying on a Southwest plane ever again. That bridge has been thoroughly burned and corrosive acid dumped on the remains.
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Southwest zealots: But did you die though
I used to be a Southwest fan in the Herb Kelleher days. Took my family on our first family vacation to Disney World on Southwest. I have a lot of happy Southwest memories. But I can’t say this clearly enough: You will never catch me flying on a Southwest plane ever again. That bridge has been thoroughly burned and corrosive acid dumped on the remains.
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cpd-e9l
22: 21 I was lucky enough to have this seat on a flight from PHX back home to PIT right after the new year - a nearly 4 hour flight! The flight attendant saw me board the plane (worth noting I am 6’6) and immediately told me this seat was open and invited me to sit there which of course I did. This was all before the assigned seating went into effect so good job by Jeb to grab this seat!
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22: 21 I was lucky enough to have this seat on a flight from PHX back home to PIT right after the new year - a nearly 4 hour flight! The flight attendant saw me board the plane (worth noting I am 6’6) and immediately told me this seat was open and invited me to sit there which of course I did. This was all before the assigned seating went into effect so good job by Jeb to grab this seat!
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33predsfan
Heres the thing: I've flown about 40 flights on SWA this year so far, and I've only had a handful that were late. Most others arrived on time. The boarding has seemed to get much better since the changeover to assigned seating. Nothing has changed for my wife and me either. We have the credit card and still get free bags, and extra legroom seating is a ticket choice we buy.
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Heres the thing: I've flown about 40 flights on SWA this year so far, and I've only had a handful that were late. Most others arrived on time. The boarding has seemed to get much better since the changeover to assigned seating. Nothing has changed for my wife and me either. We have the credit card and still get free bags, and extra legroom seating is a ticket choice we buy.
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JD_MeanGruene
Fantastic video. As a business traveler, I had to stop using southwest long before they rebranded themselves for all the problems you encountered. Greater than 50% delayed arrivals. Delays with extremely poor communication vs almost all other airlines. AA is probably the worst legacy and at least they let you know your flight is delayed well ahead of boarding time!
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Fantastic video. As a business traveler, I had to stop using southwest long before they rebranded themselves for all the problems you encountered. Greater than 50% delayed arrivals. Delays with extremely poor communication vs almost all other airlines. AA is probably the worst legacy and at least they let you know your flight is delayed well ahead of boarding time!
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wishmaker
Around the 10: 40 mark. I had a similar experience where the plane had to pull up because another airline was going way to ast and cutting us off completely. Showed the video to the pilots and never knew that frontier airlines (a smaller aircraft) zoomed right passed us as we are nearly at eachothers lengths. I think that explains WHY you have been circling at nashville!
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Around the 10: 40 mark. I had a similar experience where the plane had to pull up because another airline was going way to ast and cutting us off completely. Showed the video to the pilots and never knew that frontier airlines (a smaller aircraft) zoomed right passed us as we are nearly at eachothers lengths. I think that explains WHY you have been circling at nashville!
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333ahemed
Pls forgive me if this is overstepping, but I believe to combat Suzannes congestion inreccomend NAC. it's super safe you could find it at a Wegmans or vitamin shoppe wuper inexpensive and it helps thin out mucus. It changed my life do 1200 mg 600 mg isn't enough imo. I hope you are least use it for a week if you can't tell a difference no harm no foul. Gxd bless you both!
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Pls forgive me if this is overstepping, but I believe to combat Suzannes congestion inreccomend NAC. it's super safe you could find it at a Wegmans or vitamin shoppe wuper inexpensive and it helps thin out mucus. It changed my life do 1200 mg 600 mg isn't enough imo. I hope you are least use it for a week if you can't tell a difference no harm no foul. Gxd bless you both!
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Flyshooter2
As an ALP traveler with SWA for over a decade, the new boarding system is not change friendly. If I made a flight change during my trip, I would always board first and would get a good seat. Make a change now and you get offered the sloppy seconds because all the seats are takentypically a middle seat anywhere. It used to be more flexible for the frequent traveler.
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As an ALP traveler with SWA for over a decade, the new boarding system is not change friendly. If I made a flight change during my trip, I would always board first and would get a good seat. Make a change now and you get offered the sloppy seconds because all the seats are takentypically a middle seat anywhere. It used to be more flexible for the frequent traveler.
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