Airline data

Southwest Airlines performance scorecard

In 2024, Southwest spent $2.72M on federal lobbying while collecting $83.0M in baggage and change fees — $31.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.

We hold 185 validated statistics for Southwest Airlines, covering 1987 to 2026-07. The 64 most recent in each category are below.

What this does not meanThis carrier’s figures span 1 January 2018, when the DOT changed both which airlines must report (from 1% to half of one percent of domestic scheduled passenger revenue) and how flights are attributed (from the operating carrier to the marketing carrier). Figures either side of that date describe different populations of flights, so they are listed by year rather than drawn as one trend.

Public attention

As of 2026-07, 36.8% of Google's own autocomplete suggestions about Southwest are negative (42 of 114) — including "is southwest airlines going out of business".
2026-07census of returned suggestions at snapshot date
Suggestions vary by time and geography; editorial/research use with as-of date.
In 2023-01, Southwest drew 1.33x its normal Wikipedia attention (82206 views) with press tone -2.767 across 5714 articles, while cancelling 2.88% of flights.
2023-01attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2022-12, Southwest drew 2.0x its normal Wikipedia attention (122973 views) with press tone -3.935 across 8373 articles, while cancelling 14.63% of flights.
2022-12attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2021-10, Southwest drew 1.11x its normal Wikipedia attention (68235 views) with press tone -3.736 across 8008 articles, while cancelling 3.85% of flights.
2021-10attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2019-03, Southwest drew 2.19x its normal Wikipedia attention (135044 views) with press tone -1.901 across 10734 articles, while cancelling 4.33% of flights.
2019-03attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2019-01, Southwest drew 1.75x its normal Wikipedia attention (108036 views) with press tone -1.881 across 3359 articles, while cancelling 3.95% of flights.
2019-01attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2018-10, Southwest drew 1.25x its normal Wikipedia attention (77175 views) with press tone -2.555 across 2636 articles, while cancelling 0.75% of flights.
2018-10attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2018-09, Southwest drew 1.16x its normal Wikipedia attention (71706 views) with press tone -2.794 across 3399 articles, while cancelling 1.09% of flights.
2018-09attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2018-05, Southwest drew 1.42x its normal Wikipedia attention (87501 views) with press tone -2.428 across 7152 articles, while cancelling 1.22% of flights.
2018-05attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2018-04, Southwest drew 2.38x its normal Wikipedia attention (146700 views) with press tone -2.461 across 20651 articles, while cancelling 1.11% of flights.
2018-04attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2017-08, Southwest drew 1.38x its normal Wikipedia attention (84946 views) with press tone -2.628 across 4030 articles, while cancelling 3.63% of flights.
2017-08attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2017-05, Southwest drew 1.48x its normal Wikipedia attention (91396 views) with press tone -3.143 across 3829 articles, while cancelling 0.87% of flights.
2017-05attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).

Lobbying and political spending

In 2024, Southwest reported $0.47B net income while scoring 20.7/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #14 most miserable).
2024audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2024, Southwest scored 11.2/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #9.
2024composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2024, Southwest spent $2.72M on federal lobbying while collecting $83.0M in baggage and change fees — $31.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2024complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2023, Southwest reported $0.47B net income while scoring 24.8/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #13 most miserable).
2023audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2023, Southwest scored 4.9/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #10.
2023composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2023, Southwest spent $2.65M on federal lobbying while collecting $73.0M in baggage and change fees — $28.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2023complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2022, Southwest scored 20.1/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #9.
2022composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2022, Southwest reported $0.54B net income while scoring 37.0/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #9 most miserable).
2022audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2022, Southwest spent $2.58M on federal lobbying while collecting $67.0M in baggage and change fees — $26.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2022complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2021, Southwest reported $0.98B net income while scoring 41.0/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #10 most miserable).
2021audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2021, Southwest scored 24.4/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #8.
2021composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2021, Southwest spent $1.96M on federal lobbying while collecting $58.0M in baggage and change fees — $29.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2021complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).

Report card

The 2024 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest B (81.5/100): reliability 79.8, baggage 64.7, fees 100.0.
2024composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2023 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest B (78.2/100): reliability 78.2, baggage 56.4, fees 100.0.
2023composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2022 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest C (66.6/100): reliability 52.8, baggage 47.0, fees 100.0.
2022composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2021 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest C (66.4/100): reliability 41.3, baggage 66.8, fees 100.0.
2021composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2020 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest A (87.7/100): reliability 86.6, baggage 76.6, fees 100.0.
2020composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2019 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest C (66.4/100): reliability 38.7, baggage 60.4, fees 100.0.
2019composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2018 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest B (74.0/100): reliability 48.0, baggage n/a, fees 100.0.
2018composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2017 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest B (75.6/100): reliability 51.1, baggage n/a, fees 100.0.
2017composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2016 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest C (68.2/100): reliability 36.4, baggage n/a, fees 100.0.
2016composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2015 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest C (69.4/100): reliability 38.8, baggage n/a, fees 100.0.
2015composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2014 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest D (52.3/100): reliability 4.5, baggage n/a, fees 100.0.
2014composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2013 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Southwest C (56.3/100): reliability 12.7, baggage n/a, fees 100.0.
2013composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.

Baggage and change fees

In 2024, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.49 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($83.0M total across 171.1M passengers).
2024complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2023, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.44 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($73.0M total across 167.6M passengers).
2023complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2022, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.44 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($67.0M total across 153.2M passengers).
2022complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2021, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.48 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($58.0M total across 120.7M passengers).
2021complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2020, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.5 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($34.0M total across 68.4M passengers).
2020complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2019, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.32 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($51.0M total across 158.4M passengers).
2019complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2018, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.31 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($50.0M total across 159.1M passengers).
2018complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2017, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.3 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($46.0M total across 153.9M passengers).
2017complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2016, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.29 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($44.0M total across 148.9M passengers).
2016complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2015, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.31 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($44.0M total across 142.5M passengers).
2015complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2014, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $0.64 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($81.0M total across 126.7M passengers).
2014complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2013, Southwest Airlines Co. collected $1.46 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($169.0M total across 115.4M passengers).
2013complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).

Cancellations and delays

In 2024, 20.6% of Southwest flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=1419419 flights).
2024n=1419419 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2024, Southwest cancelled 0.83% of its 1419419 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.015 pts), ranking 15 of 15 carriers for cancellations.
2024n=1419419 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.015 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2023, Southwest cancelled 1.0% of its 1438465 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.016 pts), ranking 13 of 15 carriers for cancellations.
2023n=1438465 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.016 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2023, 21.8% of Southwest flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=1438465 flights).
2023n=1438465 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2022, 24.2% of Southwest flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=1307149 flights).
2022n=1307149 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2022, Southwest cancelled 3.26% of its 1307149 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.03 pts), ranking 6 of 17 carriers for cancellations.
2022n=1307149 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.03 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2021, 22.4% of Southwest flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=1064640 flights).
2021n=1064640 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2021, Southwest cancelled 2.21% of its 1064640 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.028 pts), ranking 6 of 17 carriers for cancellations.
2021n=1064640 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.028 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2020, 6.4% of Southwest flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=1013411 flights).
2020n=1013411 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2020, Southwest cancelled 8.08% of its 1013411 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.053 pts), ranking 2 of 16 carriers for cancellations.
2020n=1013411 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.053 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2019, Southwest cancelled 2.65% of its 1498629 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.026 pts), ranking 3 of 16 carriers for cancellations.
2019n=1498629 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.026 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2019, 18.3% of Southwest flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=1498629 flights).
2019n=1498629 flights
Reporting carriers only.

Policy churn

The Internet Archive captured 23 distinct versions of Southwest's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2024 (23.0 versions per page).
2024distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 167 distinct versions of Southwest's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2023 (167.0 versions per page).
2023distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 154 distinct versions of Southwest's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2022 (154.0 versions per page).
2022distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.

Denied boarding

In 2021, Southwest Airlines Co. involuntarily denied boarding to 2713 passengers (0.313 per 10,000 boarded), paying $0 in compensation.
2021complete DOT-reported population

What this scorecard does not tell you

Cancellation and delay rates are not directly comparable between carriers. Route networks differ, and so does the weather they fly through.
An average delay figure is computed across delayed flights only, so a carrier that cancels its worst flights can look better on that measure. Read any delay average next to the cancellation rate.
Regional flights sold under this airline’s code may be operated by a different carrier. Since 2018 they are attributed to the marketing carrier, which is the code on your ticket.
These are counts and rates, not explanations. We have not tested why any figure moved.

Nothing here tells you what you are owed. That depends on the rule for your situation, which is on the passenger rights pages.

Row30 provides data journalism and education, not legal advice. We are not a law firm and do not represent passengers in legal proceedings. For advice about your own situation, consult an attorney.

Source: Google autocomplete suggestions as of 2026-07, collected and classified by Row30.

Source: Internet Archive Wayback Machine captures; analysis by Row30.

Source: Row30 Airline Report Card, computed from U.S. DOT BTS data (On-Time, Form 41, baggage, denied boarding).

Source: U.S. DOT Air Travel Consumer Report denied boarding data; analysis by Row30.

Source: U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Airline On-Time Performance; analysis by Row30.

Source: U.S. DOT Form 41 financials via Bureau of Transportation Statistics; analysis by Row30.

Sources: SEC EDGAR company filings; U.S. DOT BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: U.S. Senate LDA; U.S. DOT Form 41 + On-Time Performance via BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: U.S. Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act database; U.S. DOT Form 41 via BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: Wikimedia pageviews; GDELT Project; U.S. DOT BTS; analysis by Row30.