Quick answer for Southwest Airlines
The DOT snapshot lists 5 of eight customer-service categories as commitments by Southwest Airlines for disruptions within the airline's control. The airline's recorded commitments include rebooking on the same airline; meal or meal voucher during a 3+ hour wait; hotel accommodation for an overnight disruption; ground transport to and from hotel; travel credit or voucher beyond a ticket refund. This list is not an eligibility decision for your journey.
At the review date, the DOT table did not record a commitment from Southwest Airlines for: rebooking with a partner airline; cash compensation beyond a ticket refund; frequent-flyer miles beyond a ticket refund. This does not prohibit the airline from offering extra help voluntarily or under other applicable rules.
Verify the current DOT Airline Cancellation and Delay Dashboard ↗. Snapshot reviewed on 2026-10-28; airline terms may have changed since then.
What does Southwest Airlines commit to in the DOT record?
| Service category | Controllable delay | Controllable cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| Rebooking on the same airline | Committed | Committed |
| Rebooking with a partner airline | Not committed in source | Not committed in source |
| Meal or meal voucher during a 3+ hour wait | Committed | Committed |
| Hotel accommodation for an overnight disruption | Committed | Committed |
| Ground transport to and from hotel | Committed | Committed |
| Cash compensation beyond a ticket refund | Not committed in source | Not committed in source |
| Travel credit or voucher beyond a ticket refund | Committed | Committed |
| Frequent-flyer miles beyond a ticket refund | Not committed in source | Not committed in source |
These are recorded commitments for disruptions within airline control; safety or weather disruptions may be treated differently. “Not committed” is not equivalent to “never provided”. The conditions and availability of a service may depend on individual circumstances and the airline's current plan.
Refunds are a different decision
For a qualifying cancellation or significant delay/change affecting travel to, from or within the United States, the DOT sets refund obligations when the passenger does not travel or accept the alternative. An airline's discretionary meals, hotel, miles or voucher commitments are a separate category from that refund.
Read US DOT refund requirements and exceptions ↗. A delayed arrival alone does not create a general US federal fixed cash compensation payment. Another jurisdiction can have different rules depending on the complete itinerary.
Evidence to keep if you need Southwest Airlines support
- Operating-airline name, booking date, original flight number and all ticketed connection points.
- Original and actual departure/arrival times, written airline reason, and date you received the notice.
- Any rerouting, meal, hotel, transport or voucher offer, and whether you accepted it.
- Receipts for eligible expenses and the airline's customer-service response.
To compare another airline, return to the DOT commitments comparison →. For your specific airport, browse US and Canadian airport guides →.