What Southwest Airlines has committed to in writing when your flight is delayed or cancelled, summarized from its customer service plan, contract of carriage and tarmac delay plan. Most of these commitments apply only when the cause is within Southwest's control.
The short version
- A transferable LUV Voucher of at least $75 if a controllable disruption makes you arrive 3 or more hours late. You must request it.
- Meal vouchers at 3 hours and lodging for an unplanned overnight stay, for controllable disruptions, on request.
- Rebooking on Southwest flights only. Southwest does not move passengers to other airlines.
Southwest at a glance
For delays and cancellations within Southwest's control.
| Rebooking on Southwest | Yes, at no cost (after 3 hours) |
|---|---|
| Rebooking on another airline | No |
| Meals | Yes, after 3 hours |
| Hotel for an overnight delay | Yes, with conditions |
| Transport to the hotel | Yes |
| Credits, points or vouchers | LUV Voucher, $75+ |
| Cash compensation | No |
When the delay or cancellation is Southwest's fault
These commitments apply when the cause is within the airline's control, such as maintenance, crew or its own systems. See controllable vs. uncontrollable delays.
Rebooking on Southwest
Rebooked on the next available Southwest flight(s) with seats available to your ticketed destination at no additional cost, for delays of 3 hours or longer or Southwest-initiated cancellations.
Also offered when the cause is not within Southwest's control. Customer service plan effective 06/04/2026.
Rebooking on another airline Not committed
Not offered. Rebooking is on Southwest flights only; the contract of carriage provides alternative transportation on Southwest Airlines.
Contract of carriage, 58th revision, effective 09/24/2026.
Meals
Meal voucher upon request at the airport for participating airport vendors, during delays within Southwest's control of 3 or more hours, or Southwest-initiated controllable cancellations that result in a wait of 3 or more hours. If vendors or vouchers are not available, reasonable requests for meal reimbursement are honored.
Must be requested. Southwest may also provide complimentary snacks and beverages.
Hotel
Lodging arranged upon request, if available, when a delay or cancellation within Southwest's control leaves no same-day Southwest flight to your destination and causes an unscheduled overnight stay; otherwise reasonable requests for lodging reimbursement are honored.
Must be requested. Not provided if you reside locally.
Transport to and from the hotel
If the arranged lodging has no airport shuttle, a ground transportation voucher upon request, or reasonable requests for reimbursement honored.
Must be requested.
Credits, points or vouchers
Fully transferable Southwest LUV Voucher of at least $75 when a delay or cancellation within Southwest's control, occurring within 7 days of scheduled departure, results in arriving 3 or more hours late.
Must be requested within one year at Southwest.com/DelayForm. Not issued if Southwest has already issued a voucher for the same delay or cancellation.
Cash compensation Not committed
No cash compensation. Compensation for controllable disruptions is the LUV Voucher only. Under the contract of carriage a refund to the original form of payment is the exclusive remedy for a cancellation or significantly delayed or changed flight.
Contract of carriage, 58th revision, effective 09/24/2026: Southwest is not liable for incidental, consequential or special damages.
When the cause is weather or air traffic control
For disruptions outside Southwest's control, expect rebooking on Southwest's own flights and little else: the meal, hotel and compensation commitments above generally do not apply. Ask anyway about discounted hotel rates, and check whether your own trip delay cover pays. If you are not sure the cause really is weather, see how to check.
Refunds
Whatever the cause, if Southwest cancels your flight, or delays or changes it significantly (three hours or more domestic, six or more international), and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a refund to your original form of payment under US rules. You do not have to accept a credit instead. See the DOT refund rule.
Tarmac delays
- Passengers get the opportunity to deplane before a tarmac delay at a US airport exceeds 3 hours (domestic flights). Exceptions: the pilot-in-command determines deplaning would jeopardize safety or security, or air traffic control advises that returning would significantly disrupt airport operations. Plan revision 25-01 (01/15/2025).
- Passengers get the opportunity to deplane before a tarmac delay at a US airport exceeds 4 hours (international flights).
- Snacks and drinking water no later than 2 hours after the start of the tarmac delay. Unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.
- Lavatories operable and available, first aid and routine medical services rendered, and a comfortable cabin temperature maintained using aircraft systems or ground equipment. Passengers notified when the tarmac delay exceeds 30 minutes, with updates thereafter. Plan coordinated with airport authorities, TSA and CBP.
- Southwest's tarmac delay plan does not provide any passenger compensation for tarmac delays.
These match the federal rules. See tarmac delay rules.
How to use this at the airport
- Ask the gate agent what is causing the delay, and note the answer.
- Ask for what Southwest commits to, by name. Many commitments are only provided on request. Here is what to say.
- If you pay for something yourself that Southwest commits to cover, keep the receipts and claim afterwards. If it refuses, see how to file a complaint with the DOT.
Sources
Summarized from Southwest's published documents, last checked October 2, 2026. Airlines update these documents, so check the current version before you rely on a specific detail.
- southwest.com/swa-resources/pdfs/corporate-commitments/customer-service-plan.pdf
- southwest.com/swa-resources/pdfs/corporate-commitments/contract-of-carriage.pdf
- southwest.com/swa-resources/pdfs/corporate-commitments/tarmac-delay-commitment.pdf
Compare with other airlines
See how Southwest compares with other US airlines on the airline policies page.
This guide is general information for US travelers, not legal advice. Rules and airline commitments change; check with your airline or the US Department of Transportation for your specific situation.