How to Print Your Southwest Airlines Itinerary: A Comprehensive Guide
Planning a trip with Southwest Airlines and wondering how to get a physical copy of your itinerary? While digital options are incredibly convenient, sometimes you just need that paper in hand. Maybe for a work expense report, to show someone picking you up, or simply for peace of mind in case your phone battery dies. Whatever your reason, printing your Southwest itinerary is a straightforward process.
Ready to get that trip information in your hands? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understand the Difference: Itinerary vs. Boarding Pass
Before we begin, it's crucial to distinguish between your itinerary and your boarding pass.
Your Itinerary: This is a comprehensive document that details your flight information, including flight numbers, departure and arrival times, airports, confirmation number, passenger names, and sometimes even fare details and payment information. It's your complete trip summary.
Your Boarding Pass: This is the actual document you need to present at security checkpoints and to board your flight. It typically includes your name, flight number, gate, seat assignment (though Southwest doesn't have assigned seats, it will show your boarding group and position), and a scannable barcode. You usually can't get your boarding pass until 24 hours before your flight.
This guide focuses on printing your itinerary, which you can often do right after booking.
Step 2: Accessing Your Itinerary Online
Southwest Airlines provides multiple ways to access your itinerary online. Choose the method that best suits your situation.
Sub-heading 2.1: Through Your Southwest Account (Recommended)
If you have a Rapid Rewards account or created an account when you booked your flight, this is the easiest and most reliable method.
Go to the Southwest Airlines Website: Open your web browser and navigate to
Southwest.com.Log In to Your Account:
Look for the "Log In" or "My Account" option, usually in the top right corner of the homepage.
Enter your Rapid Rewards username or email address and your password.
Click "Log In."
Navigate to "My Trips": Once logged in, you'll typically see a "My Trips" or "Upcoming Trips" section on your account dashboard. Click on it.
Select Your Trip: You'll see a list of your upcoming flights. Click on the specific trip for which you want to print the itinerary. The trip name will usually be the destination city or the first leg of your journey.
View Trip Details: This page will display all the pertinent details of your itinerary. Look for sections like "Flight Details," "Passengers," and "Confirmation Number."
Sub-heading 2.2: Using Your Confirmation Number (Without an Account)
Don't have a Southwest account, or didn't log in when you booked? No problem! You can still retrieve your itinerary.
Go to the Southwest Airlines Website: Open your web browser and go to
Southwest.com.Find "Manage Reservations": On the homepage, look for a section related to "Manage Reservations," "Check In," or "Flight Status." Sometimes it's under a "Travel" or "My Trips" menu.
Enter Your Details:
You'll be prompted to enter your Confirmation Number (a 6-character code, usually a mix of letters and numbers).
Enter the First Name of one of the passengers on the reservation.
Enter the Last Name of that same passenger.
Click "Retrieve Reservation" or a similar button.
Access Your Itinerary: This will pull up your flight details.
Sub-heading 2.3: Through Your Confirmation Email
When you book a flight with Southwest, they send a confirmation email to the address you provided. This email contains a summary of your itinerary.
Open Your Email Client: Go to the email inbox you used for booking your Southwest flight.
Search for the Confirmation Email: Look for an email from "Southwest Airlines" with a subject line typically containing "Your Southwest Airlines Confirmation" or "Your Itinerary." Check your spam or junk folder if you don't see it in your main inbox.
Locate the Itinerary Section: The email will contain a detailed breakdown of your flight(s), including dates, times, flight numbers, and your crucial confirmation number.
Step 3: Printing Your Itinerary
Once you have successfully accessed your itinerary online, printing it is the final step.
Sub-heading 3.1: Printing from the Southwest Website
This is the most common and recommended method for a clean, formatted printout.
Locate the Print Option: On the itinerary details page on Southwest.com, look for a "Print," "Print Itinerary," or "Printer Friendly" button or link. This is usually located near the top or bottom of the itinerary display.
Click the Print Button: Clicking this will typically open a new window or tab with a simplified version of your itinerary, optimized for printing.
Use Your Browser's Print Function:
Once the print-friendly version appears, use your web browser's print function. This is usually done by:
Pressing Ctrl + P (Windows) or Command + P (Mac) on your keyboard.
Or, by clicking on the menu icon (often three dots or lines) in your browser and selecting "Print."
Select Your Printer and Print:
In the print dialog box, select your desired printer.
Review the print preview to ensure it looks correct.
Click the "Print" button.
Sub-heading 3.2: Printing from Your Confirmation Email
If you're using the confirmation email as your source, the process is slightly different.
Open the Confirmation Email: As described in Step 2.3.
Use Your Email Client's Print Function:
Most email clients (like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail) have a "Print" icon or option. Look for a printer symbol or a "Print" command within the email itself, or in the email client's menu.
Avoid simply using your browser's print function on the entire email page, as this might print irrelevant headers or sidebars. Look for the specific print option for the email content.
Review and Print:
A print preview will appear. Make sure the itinerary section is clearly visible and all necessary details are included.
Select your printer and click "Print."
Sub-heading 3.3: Screenshot and Print (Alternative for Specific Sections)
If you only need a very specific part of your itinerary, or if the regular print options aren't working as expected, you can take a screenshot and print that.
Display the Desired Section: Navigate to the part of your itinerary on the Southwest website or in the email that you want to capture.
Take a Screenshot:
Windows: Use the "Print Screen" key (PrtScn) or the Snipping Tool (search for it in your Start menu).
Mac: Press Command + Shift + 4 and drag to select the area.
Paste into a Document or Image Editor: Open a program like Microsoft Word, Paint, Google Docs, or any image editor. Paste the screenshot (Ctrl+V or Command+V).
Print from the Application: From that application, use its print function (File > Print or Ctrl/Command + P). You might need to adjust sizing for best results.
Step 4: Double-Checking and Storing Your Itinerary
Once you have your printed itinerary, take a moment for these final steps:
Sub-heading 4.1: Verify Accuracy
Always cross-reference the printed itinerary with your digital version or the details you expect.
Check dates, times, flight numbers, and passenger names. A small typo can cause big headaches.
Sub-heading 4.2: Keep it Safe
Store your printed itinerary in a safe, easily accessible place with your other travel documents (passport, ID, etc.).
Consider taking a photo of it with your phone as an additional digital backup, even if you printed it.
Related FAQ Questions
How to print Southwest Airlines itinerary if I don't have an account?
You can print your Southwest Airlines itinerary without an account by using the "Manage Reservations" section on Southwest.com. You'll need your 6-character confirmation number, the first name, and the last name of a passenger on the reservation.
How to find my Southwest Airlines confirmation number to print my itinerary?
Your Southwest Airlines confirmation number is provided in the confirmation email you received after booking. It's a 6-character code typically found in the subject line and body of the email. If you have a Rapid Rewards account, you can also find it under "My Trips" when logged in.
How to print a Southwest Airlines itinerary for a past flight?
To print an itinerary for a past Southwest Airlines flight, log into your Rapid Rewards account on Southwest.com, go to "My Account," and then to the "Trips" tab. For past flights, you should see an option to "View Receipt" or access details, which you can then print. Receipts are generally available for up to 18 months.
How to print a Southwest Airlines itinerary from my phone?
While you can view your Southwest Airlines itinerary on your phone via the mobile app or website, directly printing it usually requires a printer connected to your phone (wireless printing) or emailing the itinerary to yourself and printing from a computer. The Southwest mobile app primarily focuses on digital boarding passes and trip management.
How to get a more detailed Southwest Airlines itinerary for printing?
The itinerary available on Southwest.com after retrieving your reservation (either by logging in or using the confirmation number) is typically the most detailed version for printing, including flight times, numbers, and passenger details. Look for a "Print" or "Printer Friendly" option on that page.
How to print Southwest Airlines flight details without showing the price?
Southwest Airlines itineraries accessed through the website or confirmation email typically include fare details. If you need to print just the flight schedule without pricing, you might consider taking a screenshot of only the flight detail section and then printing that image.
How to print multiple Southwest Airlines itineraries at once?
Southwest Airlines' system generally allows you to view and print one itinerary at a time. If you have multiple bookings, you will need to retrieve and print each itinerary separately using its unique confirmation number or by selecting each trip from your "My Trips" section.
How to print a Southwest Airlines itinerary if I'm at the airport?
At the airport, you can typically print your Southwest Airlines itinerary or boarding pass at a self-service kiosk or by asking a Southwest Airlines agent at the ticket counter. You will need your confirmation number and a valid ID.
How to reprint a Southwest Airlines itinerary if I lost the first printout?
If you've lost your printed itinerary, simply follow the steps outlined in this guide to access it again online (either through your Southwest account or by using your confirmation number) and print a new copy.
How to troubleshoot if I can't print my Southwest Airlines itinerary?
If you're having trouble printing, first ensure your printer is connected and has paper/ink. Try using a different web browser, clearing your browser's cache and cookies, or trying to print from a different device. If issues persist, you can always ask a Southwest Airlines customer service representative for assistance, either online via chat or by calling them.
