How to tell if Southwest Airlines is actually down
Southwest Airlines is down when their website, mobile app, or booking system stops working — not when your flight is delayed. A downed system means you cannot check your reservation, change flights, or buy tickets online. A delay means your plane is running late but the airline's computers are working fine.
The fastest way to know is to try the Southwest website directly at southwest.com. If the page loads and you can see flight information, the system is up. If you get an error message, a blank page, or the site times out after waiting 30 seconds, something is wrong on their end.
Your second check is the Southwest mobile app. Open it and try to view your booking or search for a flight. If it loads, the app is working. If it crashes or shows an error, the app may be down even if the website works — they are separate systems.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest's website and app are separate systems, so one can be down while the other works.
- Try loading southwest.com and searching for a flight; if the page loads and shows results, their main system is up.
- Check a third-party flight tracker like FlightAware or the FAA's website to see if your specific flight is delayed due to weather, staffing, or technical issues.
- If you cannot reach Southwest online, call their customer service line at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) to confirm the outage and get help with your reservation.
- Outages usually last minutes to a few hours; if the site is down, check back in 15 minutes rather than calling when ready.
Check third-party flight tracking sites for real-time status
When you cannot reach Southwest's own system, third-party trackers tell you whether the problem is on their end or yours. FlightAware (flightaware.com) shows live flight positions, delays, and cancellations for all airlines. The FAA's Flight Delay Information System (faa.gov/air_traffic/delays) lists system-wide delays by airport and airline.
Open FlightAware in a web browser and search for your flight number or route. If the flight appears and shows a delay or cancellation, Southwest's system may be down but their flights are still running — the delay is real. If the flight does not appear at all, the outage may be affecting their entire operation.
These sites pull data from the FAA and other sources, not from Southwest directly, so they work even when Southwest's website is offline. They also show you whether delays are caused by weather, air traffic control, or mechanical issues — information that helps you decide whether to rebook or wait.
Call Southwest directly if the website and app both fail
If southwest.com times out, the app crashes, and you cannot find your flight on FlightAware, call Southwest's main customer service line at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). Have your confirmation number ready — you can find it in your email confirmation or in the app if it loads.
Tell the agent you cannot access the website or app and ask whether there is a known outage. They can confirm your reservation, tell you your flight status, and rebook you on another flight if needed. Wait times are usually longer during outages, so expect to hold for 10 to 30 minutes.
If you are at the airport, go to a Southwest ticket counter instead. Agents there have access to a separate system and can help you when ready without waiting on the phone.
Understand the difference between a system outage and a flight delay
A system outage means Southwest's computers are not working — you cannot book, change, or check in online. A flight delay means the plane is running late but the airline's systems are fine. These are two separate problems with different solutions.
If the website works but your flight is delayed, that is a delay, not an outage. Check the Southwest app or website for the new departure time. If the website is down and you cannot see your flight status anywhere, that is an outage — call the airline or check FlightAware.
During an outage, Southwest usually posts updates on their social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook) or their homepage once it loads. Follow @SouthwestAir on Twitter for real-time announcements about system problems.
What to do while you wait for the system to come back online
If Southwest's website and app are down, do not keep refreshing — you will just add load to their servers and slow recovery. Instead, wait 15 minutes and try again. Most outages last between 5 and 60 minutes.
While you wait, check your email for any messages from Southwest about your flight. The airline sends cancellations and major delays to the email address on your reservation. If you do not see anything, your flight is probably still on schedule.
If your flight departs within the next two hours and you cannot reach Southwest online or by phone, go to the airport. Agents at the ticket counter can check you in and answer questions about your flight, even if the online system is down.
Know when to contact Southwest versus when to wait
Contact Southwest when ready if your flight departs in less than two hours and you cannot check in online. Go to the airport ticket counter or call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA.
Wait 15 to 30 minutes before calling if your flight departs more than two hours away. Outages usually resolve quickly, and calling during an outage means longer hold times for everyone. Use that time to check FlightAware and your email instead.
If your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than three hours, Southwest will rebook you on the next available flight at no charge. You do not need to call when ready — you can handle this online once the system is back up, or at the airport if it is still down when you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if Southwest is down or if it is just my internet?
Open a different website in the same browser — try google.com or weather.com. If those load, your internet works and Southwest is down. If nothing loads, restart your router and try again. You can also use your phone's cellular data instead of WiFi to test whether the problem is your home internet.
Can I check in for my flight if the Southwest app is down?
If the app is down but the website works, use southwest.com to check in instead. If both are down, you can check in at the airport ticket counter or gate. Southwest allows online check-in 24 hours before departure, so if the system comes back up before your flight, you can still check in online.
Will Southwest refund me if their system outage makes me miss my flight?
Southwest will rebook you on the next available flight at no charge if an outage causes you to miss your departure. You will not receive a cash refund, but you can use the new flight or request a travel credit for future use. Contact Southwest after the outage to explain what happened.
What if I already checked in but cannot see my boarding pass?
Your boarding pass is still valid even if you cannot display it on your phone. Go to the gate and tell an agent you checked in but cannot access your pass. They can look up your reservation and print a paper boarding pass or let you board with your confirmation number.
Is there a way to know about Southwest outages before they happen?
No, outages are usually unplanned. You can follow @SouthwestAir on Twitter or check their Facebook page for announcements about known system maintenance, but these are rare. Most outages are discovered when customers try to use the website and it fails.