Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Information
Southwest Airlines® is aware that government mandates have resulted in restrictions on air travel due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Unfortunately, many of the restrictions will result in flight cancellations, potential quarantines upon arrival, and/or temperature checks upon landing, and we sincerely regret any inconvenience created by the travel disruptions.
Once Southwest® becomes aware of any government’s travel restriction that results in a flight cancellation or self-quarantine, our Team will notify you as soon as possible with your options. Rest assured, we will offer maximum flexibility and accommodate Customers to the best of our ability. As always, the Southwest Team appreciates your patience and trust in us during this unprecedented time.
Beginning September 8, 2020, any travel funds created from a nonrefundable, Wanna Get Away® ticket can be used for up to one year from the original purchase date.
It’s important to note, while these unused travel funds will be available until September 7, 2022, once the funds are used to make a purchase, the expiration date of the travel funds will then follow our normal ticketing rules and will expire 12 months from the original purchase date.
For example:
Travelers to Hawaii are required to quarantine for 10 days. All passengers age five and older who show proof of a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test* from a State of Hawaii approved Trusted Testing Partner taken within 72 hours of boarding the last flight of their journey to Hawaii will not be subject to the State of Hawaii’s 10-day traveler quarantine rule. This directive does not apply to any county-imposed quarantine rules separate and apart from rules outlined by the state of Hawaii. Travelers without a valid negative COVID-19* test will be required to quarantine upon arrival for 10 days.
Please note, Kauai is not participating in the testing program and will require all passengers to quarantine for upon arrival for 10 days. In addition, the Island of Hawaii (Kona and Hilo) may require a second valid, negative COVID-19 PCR test* to be taken upon arrival in order to avoid the 10-day traveler quarantine rule. This test will be administered at the airport by the county officials.
To bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine when traveling in Hawaii:
To help your vacation and airport experience go smoothly, complete the following steps:
In order to leave the airport in Hawaii, you’ll need to have the following items handy:
* A valid negative nucleic acid amplification test for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus (“COVID-19”)
Finally, the well-being of our Customers and Employees, and all of those in the communities we serve, remains our top priority. We will approach this new challenge with our Southwest Hearts and determination to provide Customers with the utmost care and assistance.
We will continue to post any details or updates on additional travel restrictions as we learn about them on this page.
Once again, we appreciate your support, and we look forward to welcoming you back onboard soon.
Southwest is unique in the airline industry because we do not charge fees to change or cancel flights. Nonrefundable tickets (Wanna Get Away fares) not flown on the travel date, but canceled in accordance with Southwest’s No Show policy, can be applied to future travel. Refundable tickets (Anytime and Business Select® fares) not flown on the travel date can also be applied to future travel.
More information on refunds can be found on Southwest.com. We hope these policies continue to give our Customers options and flexibility as you plan your travel.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand Customers might be uncertain about their travel plans in the months ahead. While we might not be connecting with you in person right now, today and every day as the airline with Heart, we can share our love and support. In that spirit, we are extending the benefits earned by our current tier status Members and Companion Pass holders.
In addition to this extension, we’re giving tier qualifying points and Companion Pass qualifying points to all Rapid Rewards® Members to say thank you for bearing with us during this difficult and uncharted time.
Learn more about these Rapid Rewards® updates and FAQ at Southwest.com/RRCoronavirusUpdates.
The Southwest® Promise from check-in to deplaning: When you travel with Southwest, we have your well-being in mind. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we've made changes to our operations and procedures to better support the well-being and comfort of our Employees and Customers – and we’ll continue to evaluate our policies and procedures as we learn more. We’ve employed stringent cleaning and physical-distancing practices such as using electrostatic and anti-microbial spray treatments in the cabin, implemented physical-distancing measures, modified boarding procedures, and provided masks for Employees.
Learn how we’re supporting your comfort and well-being from check-in to deplaning.
As we make any changes to our operations or procedures, we will update this page with the most current information. A link to this page will remain on our homepage at Southwest.com.
Nonrefundable tickets (Wanna Get Away fares) not flown on the travel date, but canceled in accordance with Southwest’s No Show Policy, can be applied to future travel up to one year from the original purchase date aside from the below exceptions.
All travel funds must be used by the individual named on the ticket.
Refundable tickets not flown on the travel date can also be applied to future travel. More information on Southwest refunds can be found on Southwest.com. We hope these policies continue to give our Customers options and flexibility when planning travel.
Southwest does not charge fees to change or cancel flights, although applicable fare differences may apply.
Yes, current Rapid Rewards tier status Members who earned A-List or A-List Preferred status through December 31, 2020 without any type of promotion will have their status extended through December 31, 2021. For Members enrolled in a promotion granting promotional A-List status or challenging a Member to extend promotional A-List status such as Status Match, Tier Challenge, Tier Experience, or a Corporate Status Challenge and who met the flight requirements by the promotion end date, we are extending your current promotional status through December 31, 2021. However, for Members enrolled in any of the above promotions and as of April 17, 2020 have not met the flight requirements, we are extending the deadline to meet the promotion’s flight requirements to October 30, 2020.
Current Rapid Rewards Companion Pass holders who earned Companion Pass through December 31, 2020 without any type of promotion will have their benefits extended through June 30, 2021.
Visit the Rapid Rewards® updates page for more on the benefit extensions.