American Airlines vs Southwest Airlines
Side-by-side comparison of American Airlines and Southwest Airlines: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
United States
| American Airlines | Southwest Airlines | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1926 | 1971 |
| Type | Full-service airline | Low-cost carrier |
| Alliance | oneworld | - |
| Main hubs | Philadelphia International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport |
| Aircraft types | 11 | 1 |
| Cabin bag size | 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in) | - |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 22.7 kg (50 lb) | 1 piece · 22.7 kg (50 lb) |
| First checked bag fee | from 30 USD | from 45 USD |
| Extra bag fee | - | from 55 USD |
| Online check-in opens | 24 h | 24 h |
| Online check-in closes | 45 min | 30 min |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | 800-433-7300 | +1 214 792 40 00 |
Key differences
- Southwest Airlines lets you check in online closer to departure (30 min vs 45 min).
- Southwest Airlines is a low-cost carrier: expect a cheaper base fare with bags, seats and airport check-in sold separately, while American Airlines bundles more into the ticket.
- American Airlines is a oneworld member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
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Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.