COVID-19 Travel Information

No, federal law no longer requires that masks be worn in the airport or on the plane, but certain cities or states may still be requiring them at their airports. Make sure to check any airport you’re traveling to before arriving to know their policies.

You’re always welcome to wear a mask while traveling if you prefer to—if you need one at the airport or onboard, we’ll have them ready.

The U.S. Government requires anyone traveling into the United States to give us contact information where you can be reached once you land in the U.S. You no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery.

Before boarding, every Southwest Airlines® Passenger will need to give us an address where you can be reached once you land in the U.S. You will be asked to give your:

• Name (last, first, and, if applicable, middle or others)
• Where you're staying while in the U.S. (full address: number, street, city, state, and zip code)
• Primary phone number including country code​
• Secondary phone number including country code
• Email address

If you are a non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrant (not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or traveling to the United States on an immigrant visa), you must show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and fill out an attestation form before boarding. Those additional requirements and criteria for exceptions can be found here.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all Passengers boarding an international flight to the U.S. to provide their contact information as listed below within 72 hours before their flight departs. The information may be used by U.S. public health officials to follow up with Passengers who may have been exposed to a contagious disease before or during travel. If there was exposure, public health officials have the information they need to enable prompt public health follow-up such as contacting those who may have been exposed and monitoring their health for signs and symptoms.

What information will I need to provide?

• Your name (last, first, and, if applicable, middle or others)
• Where you're staying while in the U.S. (full address: number, street, city, state, and zip code)
• Primary phone number including country code, at which you can be contacted while in the United States
• Secondary phone number including country code
• Email address

Who is required to give contact tracing information?

Any Passenger flying into the U.S. from an international destination.

Where is this information being sent and stored?

This information, as well as the contact information you provided when you bought your ticket or checked in, will be shared with the U.S. Government via established U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data systems.

Southwest Airlines will keep this information in our systems no longer than necessary to meet the CDC’s contact tracing requirements .

For more information, go to CBP.gov or CDC.gov, or see CBP’s Privacy Impact Assessment for the Advance Passenger Information System.

Do I have to update my contact tracing information for each trip?

Yes, you'll need to give contact tracing information for every international trip you take when coming into the U.S. (prior to check-in).

What happens if I do not give contact tracing information?

Unfortunately, you will not be allowed to board your flight. We are required to collect contact tracing information for every Passenger to check you in, and if we don't check you in, you can’t board.

Burden Statement

Public reporting burden of this collection of information is estimated to average 2 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to CDC/ATSDR Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS D-74, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; ATTN: PRA 0920-1354.

Privacy Act Statement

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires airlines and other aircraft operators to collect this information pursuant to 42 C.F.R. §§ 71.4, 71.20, 71.31 and 71.32, as authorized by 42 U.S.C. §§ 264 and 268. Providing this information is mandatory for all passengers arriving by aircraft into the United States. Passengers are required to provide complete and accurate information, and failure to do so may lead to other consequences, including criminal penalties. CDC will use this information to help prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases by performing contact tracing investigations and notifying exposed individuals and public health authorities; and for health education, treatment, prophylaxis, or other appropriate public health interventions, including the implementation of travel restrictions. The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, and the associated CDC System of Records No. 09-20-0171, Quarantine- and Traveler-Related Activities, Including Records for Contact Tracing Investigation and Notification under 42 C.F.R. Parts 70 and 71. See 72 Fed. Reg. 70867 (Dec. 13, 2007), as amended by 76 Fed. Reg. 4485 (Jan. 25, 2011) and 83 Fed. Reg. 6591 (Feb. 14, 2018) [hyperlink] govern the collection and use of this information. CDC will only disclose information from the system outside the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the Privacy Act permits, including in accordance with the routine uses published for this system in the Federal Register, and as authorized by law. You may contact the system manager at dgmqpolicyoffice@cdc.gov or by mailing Policy Office, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS H16data. 4, Atlanta, GA 30329, if you have questions about CDC’s use of your data.

Non-refundable tickets (Wanna Get Away fare or Wanna Get Away Plus fare) not flown on the travel date, but canceled in accordance with Southwest’s No Show Policy, can be applied to future travel. Click here for more information on travel funds.

Southwest does not charge fees to change or cancel flights, although applicable fare differences may apply.