Traveling can be exciting, but also a little nerve-wracking when you're waiting for a flight, especially if there's a chance of delays or cancellations. If you're flying Southwest Airlines, knowing how to quickly and accurately track your flight can bring immense peace of mind. So, let's dive right into it and make sure you're always in the loop!
How Do I Track a Flight on Southwest Airlines? Your Ultimate Guide
Whether you're the passenger, picking up a friend, or just curious about a flight's progress, Southwest Airlines offers several convenient ways to stay updated. We'll walk through each method, step-by-step, to ensure you can track any Southwest flight with ease.
Step 1: Which Method Suits You Best?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, consider how you typically prefer to get information. Do you like a dedicated app on your phone, a quick check on a website, or perhaps even a good old-fashioned phone call? Southwest caters to all these preferences.
For the tech-savvy: The Southwest Airlines Mobile App is your best friend.
For quick online checks: The Southwest Airlines website is incredibly user-friendly.
For real-time assistance: A phone call to Southwest Customer Service or signing up for alerts can be very helpful.
For those who live on social media: Southwest is active on platforms like Twitter.
Once you know your preferred method, let's proceed!
Step 2: Tracking via the Southwest Airlines Official Website
The Southwest Airlines website is a robust and reliable platform for checking flight status.
Sub-heading: Using Flight Number or Route
Navigate to the Flight Status Page: Open your web browser and go to the official Southwest Airlines website (
www.southwest.com Choose Your Search Method: You'll typically find two main ways to search:
By Flight Number: If you know the exact flight number (e.g., WN 1234), select this option.
Enter the Flight Number: Type the numerical part of the flight number (e.g., "1234" for WN 1234).
Select the Date: Choose the departure date of the flight.
Click Search: Hit the "Search" or "Track Flight" button.
By Route (Departure and Arrival Cities): If you don't have the flight number but know the origin and destination, this is your go-to.
Select Departure City: Choose the city where the flight originates from the dropdown menu.
Select Arrival City: Choose the destination city from the dropdown menu.
Select the Date: Specify the date of the flight.
Click Search: Click the "Search" button to see a list of flights on that route for the chosen date. You can then select the specific flight you're interested in.
Interpret the Results: The flight status page will display crucial information, including:
Scheduled Departure and Arrival Times: The original planned times.
Actual Departure and Arrival Times: The real-time updates.
Gate Information: Where available, this will show the departure and arrival gates.
Status: This is key! It will indicate if the flight is "Scheduled," "Delayed," "Departed," "In Air," "Landed," "Arrived," or "Cancelled."
Any Alerts or Advisories: Look out for messages about weather, operational issues, or other important notices.
Step 3: Tracking with the Southwest Airlines Mobile App
For convenience on the go, the Southwest Airlines mobile app is invaluable. It's available for both iOS and Android devices.
Sub-heading: Getting and Using the App
Download the App: Search for "Southwest Airlines" in your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android, Apple App Store for iOS) and download the official app.
Open and Navigate: Once installed, open the app. You may need to log in with your Rapid Rewards account, but you can usually access flight status without logging in.
Find "Flight Status": On the app's home screen or within the main menu (often indicated by three horizontal lines), look for an option like "Flight Status" or "My Trips."
Enter Flight Details: Similar to the website, you'll be prompted to enter either the flight number or the departure and arrival cities and the date.
View Real-Time Updates: The app will present the same comprehensive flight information as the website, often with additional features like:
Push Notifications: You can opt-in to receive alerts directly to your phone about check-in, boarding times, gate changes, delays, and cancellations. This is highly recommended for important flights.
Mobile Boarding Pass Integration: If you're a passenger, your boarding pass will likely be linked and updated with the latest flight information.
Lyft Integration: The app even allows you to request a Lyft ride to or from the airport.
Step 4: Signing Up for Flight Status Alerts
This is a fantastic proactive measure, especially if you're waiting for someone or anticipating potential disruptions.
Sub-heading: Receiving Timely Notifications
Via the Southwest Website:
After searching for a flight on the Flight Status page (as described in Step 2), you'll often see an option to "Sign up for alerts" or "Get flight notifications."
Enter Your Contact Information: Provide your email address or phone number (for text alerts).
Confirm Subscription: You may need to confirm your subscription via a link in an email or a reply to a text.
Via the Southwest Mobile App:
Within the app's settings or when viewing a specific flight, look for options to enable push notifications or SMS/email alerts.
Manage Preferences: You can usually customize what kind of alerts you receive (e.g., only delays, or all updates).
Step 5: Calling Southwest Airlines Customer Service
Sometimes, a direct conversation is the best way to get answers, especially during significant disruptions.
Sub-heading: When to Call
Have Your Information Ready: Before calling, have your flight number, departure and arrival cities, and date of travel readily available.
Dial the Number: The general customer service number for Southwest Airlines is usually available on their website under "Contact Us." For flight status inquiries, a dedicated line might be available, though the general number can also assist.
Speak with an Agent: Explain your request clearly. They can provide the most up-to-date information, assist with rebooking if there's a cancellation, or answer specific questions you might have.
Be patient: During widespread delays or cancellations, wait times can be longer.
Step 6: Utilizing Third-Party Flight Trackers
While Southwest's official channels are your primary resource, several reliable third-party websites and apps also track flights. These can be useful for a broader overview or if you're having trouble with the official platforms.
Sub-heading: Popular External Options
FlightAware, FlightStats, Plane Finder: These are widely used flight tracking services. You can typically search by airline and flight number, or by route.
Google Search: A quick Google search for "[Southwest flight number] status" (e.g., "Southwest WN 1234 status") often provides immediate results from various tracking sites.
Remember: While generally accurate, it's always best to cross-reference with the official Southwest channels for the most definitive information, especially in rapidly changing situations.
A Note on Interpreting Flight Status Terms:
Understanding the different status indicators will help you make sense of the information you receive:
Scheduled: The flight is planned to operate as scheduled.
Delayed: The flight is expected to depart later than originally scheduled. The extent of the delay will usually be indicated.
Departed: The flight has left the departure gate. It may or may not be airborne yet.
In Air: The flight has taken off and is currently en route.
Diverted: The flight has been rerouted to an airport other than its original destination.
Recovery: A flight that was diverted has now departed from the diverted location and is en route to its scheduled destination.
Landed: The aircraft has touched down at its destination airport.
Arrived: The flight has reached its final destination gate.
Cancelled: The flight has been called off and will not operate.
No Takeoff Info: Real-time status is unavailable. Contact the airline.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check Southwest Airlines flight status by flight number?
You can check by visiting
How to track a Southwest flight by route?
Go to
How to get Southwest flight status updates on my phone?
Download the official Southwest Airlines mobile app (iOS or Android) and enable push notifications for your specific flight or general travel alerts.
How to sign up for Southwest flight delay alerts?
On the Southwest website's flight status page, after searching for your flight, look for an option to "Sign up for alerts" and enter your email or phone number.
How to find my Southwest Airlines gate information?
Gate information is usually displayed on the flight status page of the Southwest website or mobile app once your flight has departed or is nearing departure.
How to know if my Southwest flight is cancelled?
The flight status on the Southwest website or app will clearly indicate "Cancelled." You will also likely receive an email or text alert if you've signed up for notifications.
How to rebook a cancelled Southwest flight?
If your flight is cancelled, you can usually rebook directly through the Southwest Airlines website or app in the "My Trips" section, or by calling Southwest Customer Service.
How to check Southwest flight status without an internet connection?
You can call Southwest Airlines Customer Service directly. Have your flight details ready for the agent to assist you.
How to track a Southwest flight that isn't mine?
You can still track any Southwest flight by using the official website or app, or third-party flight trackers, as long as you have the flight number or the departure and arrival cities and date.
How to use third-party apps to track Southwest flights?
Download popular flight tracking apps like FlightAware or FlightStats, then search for "Southwest Airlines" and enter the flight number or route details to view its status.
