How to tell if Southwest is down or if it's just your connection
Southwest Airlines does not publish a public status page the way some airlines do. When you see an error message trying to book a flight or check in, it could mean Southwest's website is down, their app is down, your internet connection is broken, or your browser has cached old data. The fastest way to know which one is the problem is to try a different device or browser — if Southwest loads on your phone but not your computer, the issue is on your end, not theirs.
If Southwest fails on every device you try, check Twitter or X for recent posts from other travelers mentioning outages. Southwest's official account (@SouthwestAir) sometimes posts about known issues, though they do not always update it in real time. A faster signal is the replies to their latest tweets — if dozens of people are reporting the same error in the last few minutes, the airline's system is likely down.
You can also call Southwest directly at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) to confirm whether their booking or check-in system is down. Wait times are longer during an outage, but the automated system will usually tell you if there is a known issue before you reach a person.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest does not maintain a public status page, so you have to test your own connection or check social media to confirm an outage.
- Try loading Southwest on a different device or browser to rule out problems on your end before assuming the airline is down.
- Twitter and X show real-time reports from other travelers and sometimes from Southwest's official account during outages.
- Calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA will connect you to an automated system that may mention a known issue before you wait for a representative.
What to do if you cannot check in online
Southwest check-in opens exactly 24 hours before your flight departs. If you cannot reach the website or app at that moment, try again in a few minutes — brief outages during peak check-in times are common. If the problem persists for more than 15 minutes, restart your phone or computer and clear your browser cache, then try again.
If the system is still down and your flight leaves within a few hours, call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. A representative can check you in over the phone and assign you a boarding position. You will still need to arrive at the airport early enough to get a boarding pass printed at the counter, but calling ahead prevents you from losing your spot in the boarding order.
What to do if you cannot book or change a flight
If Southwest's booking system is down, you cannot complete a purchase or change a reservation online. Calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA will let you book or modify a flight over the phone, though you may wait longer than usual during an outage. Have your confirmation number ready if you are changing an existing reservation.
If you are trying to book a new flight and the system is down, the flight you want may still be available when the system comes back up. Outages usually last between 30 minutes and a few hours. If you are not in a rush, waiting and trying again later often works faster than calling.
How to monitor Southwest's status while traveling
Before you head to the airport, check Southwest's Twitter account and search for recent posts about system outages or flight disruptions. If you are already at the airport and the check-in kiosks are not working, ask a gate agent — they will have real-time information about whether it is a local problem or a system-wide outage.
The Southwest app sometimes works when the website does not, and vice versa. If one is down, try the other. If both fail, the airline's system is likely down, and you should call or go to the airport counter.
Common reasons Southwest's website or app goes down
Southwest's systems experience outages most often during peak booking times — early morning, evening, and the day before major holidays. The airline's infrastructure is not as robust as larger carriers like United or American, so high traffic can cause slowdowns or brief outages.
Scheduled maintenance happens occasionally and is usually announced in advance on Southwest's website, though not always prominently. If you see a message saying the system is temporarily unavailable, check back in 30 minutes to an hour.
What happens to your reservation if Southwest is down
Your reservation is safe. Southwest's booking database stays intact even if the website or app is down — the outage only affects your ability to access or change it. Once the system is back online, your flight and any changes you made before the outage will still be there.
If you were in the middle of booking when the system went down, the transaction may not have completed. You will need to start over and book again once the system is working.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Southwest outages usually last?
Most outages last between 30 minutes and two hours. Longer outages are rare but do happen. If the system is down for more than a few hours, Southwest usually posts about it on social media or their website.
Can I get a refund if Southwest's system is down and I miss my flight?
Southwest does not refund tickets due to system outages on their end. However, if you miss your flight because you could not check in due to an outage, you can rebook on the next available flight at no charge. Call 1-800-I-FLY-SWA to rebook.
Will my boarding position change if I check in late because the system was down?
If you check in late because Southwest's system was down, you will get a boarding position based on when you actually checked in, not when you were supposed to. This means you may board later than you would have if the system had worked normally.
Is there a way to know in advance if Southwest will have an outage?
Southwest does not publish a maintenance schedule. Follow their Twitter account (@SouthwestAir) to see announcements about planned maintenance, though these are not always posted far in advance.