Southwest Airlines vs United Airlines
Side-by-side comparison of Southwest Airlines and United Airlines: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
United States
| Southwest Airlines | United Airlines | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1971 | 1926 |
| Type | Low-cost carrier | Full-service airline |
| Alliance | - | Star Alliance |
| Main hubs | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport | Narita International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, O'Hare International Airport |
| Aircraft types | 1 | 7 |
| Cabin bag size | - | 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in) |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 22.7 kg (50 lb) | 1 piece · 23 kg (51 lb) |
| First checked bag fee | from 45 USD | from 45 USD |
| Extra bag fee | from 55 USD | from 55 USD |
| Online check-in opens | 24 h | 24 h |
| Online check-in closes | 30 min | 45 min |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | +1 214 792 40 00 | - |
Key differences
- United Airlines includes more checked baggage in the basic Economy fare: 1 piece · 23 kg (51 lb) vs 1 piece · 22.7 kg (50 lb) at Southwest Airlines.
- 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 United Airlines bundles more into the ticket.
- United Airlines is a Star Alliance 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.