There are some situations when airlines delay the flight due to bad weather, fewer cabin crew, or some technical glitch. Airlines understand that situation can be annoying as you need to handle the same and stop the vacation for some time. You can acquire the Southwest flight delay compensation or reschedule the same flight.

There are multiple factors that can lead you to indulge in the delays. So, you should be aware of the relevant rules and guidelines after the delay. In the following article, you can understand the details of guidelines and the related solutions for the delays.

What happens if Southwest flight is delayed?

Don’t worry if Southwest Airlines cancel or delay the flight to your destination. This situation is normal and most prevailing in today’s scenario. When your flight delays by more than the expectation, you can do the following things.

  • Firstly, go to the airport representative immediately and discuss the issues with the customer representative over there.
  • If the flight delay happens due to the airline side, you can ask for a full refund.
  • You can either reschedule the flight on the same departure day or any other alternative date of your choice.
  • Refundable fares are eligible for the refund to the original payment source after deducting the applicable charges.
  • In the non-refundable fare, you can get the travel credit that you can use for future reservations.
  • Sometimes, you are not eligible for the refund; you can ask for the meal voucher, which is redeemable on all Southwest Airlines flights.
  • If you get to know about the delays at the airport, you can apply for the same online or with the customer service team.

Southwest Flight Delay Compensation Policy:

Once you reach the airport and find that your flight is delayed for up to 5-6 hours from the actual schedule. In accordance with this, you must know about the delayed flight compensation Southwest and some related terms as follows.

  • According to the one-hour flight delay, you can receive some amount as a part of the compensation to the original patent method.
  • Sometimes, due to the strict security for medical emergencies, your flight may face some delays.
  • Due to the disturbed weather, airlines make every possible effort to accommodate you at the airport till the departure.
  • If your flight is delayed by 90 minutes, then complete the compensation form or rebook another flight.
  • However, if the flight delay is more than 2 hours, compensation is in the form of travel credit and priority standby.
  • When you don’t get to know about the delay in the flight, you are eligible to choose the new flight or your choice along with the flight compensation.
  • Also, airlines give you a standby where you can get the seats according to the availability and the travel class.
  • Passengers are eligible to use the relevant frequent flyer points for delays.
  • You can receive the refund within 7-10 working days to the original payment mode.
  • You must keep your travel documents and the boarding pass protective to avail the vouchers if any.

How do you request the claim for the Southwest Airlines flight delay?

Don’t you know how to get the claim for the canceled or delayed Southwest flight? You have come to the right place where you can easily go through the steps for the refund. Passengers are eligible for the compensation through the several methods mentioned below.

Get the claim on the web:

  • To begin, open Southwest Airlines’ official site at www.southwest.com.
  • With this, go to the My Trips section from the top of the screen.
  • Provide the reservation reference code and the passenger’s surname.
  • Get the list of flights with the airlines.
  • Choose the flight that is delayed by the airline.
  • On the right side, open the menu section.
  • Choose the flight compensation button from that to proceed further.
  • Find the compensation form that you need to fill out in detail.
  • Give the details about the delayed flight and flight number.
  • Attach the necessary documents and submit them.
  • Southwest Airlines shares the confirmation message in your mail.

Get the claim with the customer service:

However, you can connect with the customer service team after the delay and provide the best knowledge. So, dial the Southwest Airlines phone number at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) and hear the IVR commands carefully. They can give you a refund or compensation within some time. However, you can share the request by email with the customer representative and ask them for the eligibility.

Reach to the airport:

Passengers can immediately reach the customer representative available at the airport terminal and share their problems. They will check the duration of the delays and make the necessary arrangements. If your delay is less than 3 hours, you are not eligible for the necessary refund.

Please note: airlines can also cut the compensation if your delays are between 3 to 4 hours, depending on the distance. Inquire about the add-ons and related services till the departure.

How much is the compensation for Southwest Airlines’ delayed flight?

When you tend to know that your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours, you are qualified for a refund. So, southwest flight delay compensation and the refund depend on the distance of the flight and the travel type. Look at the following table for this and find the same.

Flight Distance  Compensation amount 
More than 1500 KM  Less than $250 
Between 1500 KM to 3500 KM  Less than $400
Exceed 3500 KM $600 
Delays due to the bad weather  Between $100 to $300
Flight delay by three hours  $800 approximately.

To sum up:

In the end, you are now aware of the relevant points of the delays to get back the money. You do not need to be panic & handle the situation lightly. Southwest Airlines is always passengers-friendly and gives you the best amount possible for the delays of your destination. Consequently, you can also share the problems with customer service about Southwest Flight delay compensation and obtain the necessary information for the trip.

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