Seniors

Note:

Need a helping hand? If you need wheelchair assistance, be sure to notify a uniformed Southwest Airlines Employee upon arrival at the airport, any connections, points, and at your destination.

Seniors

Travelers 65 years of age or over may get details on fares, limitations, and any restrictions regarding reservations on southwest.com from a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative or a travel agent. Fares are subject to change until tickets are purchased, but Senior Fares are fully refundable. Please see details below for tips on how to make your travel experience on Southwest Airlines even easier.

Making Reservations

Reservations for Senior Fares are now available online for both domestic and international flights. You may also make reservations by contacting a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative or your local travel agent.

Senior Fares apply only to those in the traveling party who are age 65 or over. Southwest Airlines has other discounted fares for those not meeting the above age requirements. Some restrictions and seating limitations may apply.

Our Customers who are deaf and hard of hearing may call our Teletypewriter (TTY) number, (800) 533-1305, and speak with a Customer Representative 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Customer Representatives can assist with making reservations and answering general questions. Additionally, we offer a video relay service at SWAVRS.TV, and there are TTY phones located in each of the airports we serve.

If your plans change and you need to cancel your existing reservation, please visit the Travel Center on southwest.com or contact a Southwest Airlines Customer Representative at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA for assistance.

Booking International Travel

For international itineraries, Senior Fares cannot be combined with other types of fares in the same booking. For example, you cannot book one passenger on a standard Wanna Get Away Fare and another passenger on a Senior Fare in the same reservation.

For international bookings, Senior Fares must be booked on a separate itinerary. Upon completion of your Adult traveler’s booking, you will be redirected to complete your Senior traveler’s booking. In the event that no seats remain available for sale to accommodate the Senior traveler, you can either book the Senior traveler on a different flight or cancel your initial Adult traveler’s booking and choose a different flight for both travelers.

Checking In For Your Flight

Customers may check in for their flight and receive their boarding pass online at southwest.com (for eligible reservations only), at the Skycap podium (in select locations), ticket counter, departure gate, or Self-Service kiosk (for eligible reservations only).

If you are traveling on a Senior Fare and you are age verified, you may request your boarding pass on southwest.com or at an Self-Service kiosk.

If you are not traveling on a Senior Fare, you do not need to be age verified to request your boarding pass on southwest.com or at an E-Ticket Check-In kiosk.

Visit our FAQ section for more on age verification for Customers traveling on Senior Fares.

If you are traveling on a Senior Fare and you are not age verified, you MUST provide valid proof of age (driver's license or other accepted identification) at the airport when exchanging your confirmation number for a boarding pass. You will not be able to check in online or at an Self-Service kiosk. A Medicare card is not considered valid proof of age.

If a wheelchair is required, request one at curbside checkin or at the "main lobby" ticket counter.

If traveling with your own electrical wheelchair, you must notify Southwest at least 48 hours in advance.

If you are checking luggage, be sure to give your final destination (ending Southwest city) - not your connecting city - to the Agent handling your checkin process.

Make sure the city shown on your baggage claim ticket and luggage tag matches your final destination (ending city on your journey).

We recommend that you visit Checkin and Boarding Procedures for complete details on our travel policies.

International Travel

You can checkin online for international flights and receive your assigned boarding position, though you will not receive an actual boarding pass until you checkin at the Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter or kiosk  upon arrival at the airport and have your passport verified.

Required Documentation: Documentation required to travel to foreign countries and/or re-enter the United States varies by country. Visit our portal and enter your origin/destination for documentation requirements specific to your itinerary. A valid passport is always required for international travel, in addition to other documentation based on your destination.

You must provide your passport information prior to checking in for your flight, but it is not required in order to make a reservation. You may do so during the booking process at southwest.com, after you book your flight online at southwest.com, during the online checkin process, or at the airport on your day of travel using a kiosk or at the Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter. To reduce wait times at the airport, we highly recommend that you enter your required passport information online at southwest.com prior to travel. In addition, please note that there are other types of documents that may be used in order to travel internationally in lieu of a passport, such as a Visa or Green Card.

Checking Luggage: If checking luggage, please note that connecting passengers must claim all luggage regardless of final destination upon arrival in the U.S. After clearing Customs, passengers with connecting flights will then be required to re-check all checked luggage with a Southwest Airlines Customer Service Agent before proceeding to connecting flight(s). Also, please note that you cannot check luggage at the curbside with a SkyCap if any portion of your itinerary includes an international flight. You must visit the Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter to do so.

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