United vs. Southwest Airlines: Which One Should You Prefer?

When it comes to selecting an airline, passengers often face conflicts between the two major players in the U.S. aviation industry. They are Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Both of these airlines are well-established, with their sophisticated and large fleets, offering an extensive network of routes across the United States and internationally. 

But while these airlines may share the skies, they are considerably different in their approaches to in-flight services, pricing, seating comfort, and customer satisfaction. So, are you ready to explore the major and minor conveniences that both of the airlines provide to the passengers to make their travel seamless? Yes? Then check out this detailed comparison, which includes all the strengths and weaknesses of United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, highlighting their policies, in-flight amenities, and more.  

Whether you are a frequent traveler or planning a one-off trip, this guide will help you decide which airline is the best fit for your travel needs: United vs. Southwest Airlines.

United vs. Southwest Airlines: An Overview

When comparing United and Southwest Airlines, passengers often wonder where to start. Both airlines are best in their own ways and services. Where United Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, which is known for its global reach and state-of-the-art fleet of modern planes, on the other hand, Southwest Airlines follows the pace by providing low-cost air tickets to passengers all over the world, and is highly known for its flexibility and baggage allowance. 

You can check out this table to know about the basics of these two airlines in detail. 

Name Of The Airline	United Airline	Southwest Airline
IATA/ICAO Code	UA/UAL	WN/SWA
Carrier Of	United States	United States
Fleet Size	Over 1018 Aircraft	Around 801 Aircraft
Travel Locations	Over 350 destinations	Over 120 destinations
Contact Number	1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331)	1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792)
Official Website	www.united.com	www.southwest.com

United Airlines vs. Southwest: Which One Offers the Best Value?

Passengers who are preparing to take off to their dream destination value is a key factor for them, and both United Airlines and Southwest Airlines are prominent choices for passengers seeking comfort, convenience, and affordability. While both of these airlines have different services for travelers, it might get a little tricky for passengers to choose between them. 

So, to help you navigate the differences, we have put together a detailed comparison, breaking down key factors such as price, seating, baggage policies, fare classes, and so on. No matter if you prioritize affordability, comfort, or flexibility, this comparison will help you determine which airline offers the best value for your specific needs. 

1. Ticket Pricing: Which One Is More Affordable

Ticket pricing and fare classes play a crucial role in choosing the right airline. You can check out different pricing styles and fare classes of Southwest and United Airlines below in the table. 

Services	Southwest Airlines	United Airlines
Low-Cost Flights	When it comes to low-budget flight tickets, Southwest Airlines wins, as it provides budget-friendly flights to everyone.	United Airlines flight tickets are usually higher than Southwest in its various seating classes.
Ticket Prices	Southwest Airlines’ one-way tickets start at just $49 and round-trip fares from $97, which suits everyone’s budgets.	United Airlines provides a range of fares, with one-way tickets starting from approx $50-$1000, depending on the flight distance.
Deals & Discounts	The airlines also provide various deals & promotions to their passengers, allowing them to book their flight tickets easily at low prices.	Where United Airlines does not provide various deals, they provide various other benefits, including discounted tickets for military personnel, bundled travel packages, and elite status benefits.

2. Seating Classes & Comfort

Both airlines provide various seating classes that offer several services, different legroom, extra reclines, and meal options to their passengers. You can check detailed information on these seating classes here.

Seating Classes	United Airlines	Southwest Airlines
Economy Class	Standard seats with seat selection available for purchase. The average legroom in these seating classes is 30-32 inches. Reclining Seats are available.	All seats are standard with no assigned seating (First come, first served). Spacious legroom is available, which is about 32 inches. No reclining seats available.
Economy Plus	Extra legroom up to 6 inches is provided. This seating class is available for purchase or for MileagePlus members. Reclining seats are available.	Not Available
Premium Economy	Premium economy offers larger seats with more recline. Enhanced meals and amenities. Available on long-haul flights only.	Not Available
Business Class	Available for purchase with various options (J, C, D, Z fare classes).Larger, more comfortable seating, lie-flat on some routes.	Business class seats are available on Southwest Airlines. It offers priority boarding, extra rapid reward points, & free premium drinks.
First Class	Extra legroom Premium meal options & priority services. Available on domestic & international flights.	Not Available

3. Total Flying Destinations & Global Connectivity

Here’s a comparison of total flying destinations and global connectivity between Southwest and United Airlines. 

Category	United Airlines	Southwest Airlines
Total Flying Destinations	Over 350 destinations across 5 continents, including extensive coverage in North America, Europe, Asia, & Latin America.	Southwest Airlines destinations include approx 120 locations in  North America, Europe, Asia, & Latin America.
Domestic Coverage	Strong US network with major hubs in Chicago, Denver, Newark, and more.	Focuses on the US with extensive routes across major cities and smaller airports.
International Coverage	Extensive international coverage.	Limited international destinations.
Global Alliances	Member of Start Alliance, providing access to over 26 partner airlines worldwide.	Not a part of any major global airline alliance, but it offers some international partnerships.

4. In-flight Entertainment

If you are considering the best option between Southwest and United Airlines, it also depends on the In-flight entertainment offered by each airline. This directly affects the choices and needs of travelers, so read the information in the table carefully before booking.

Features	United Airlines	Southwest Airlines
Free Wifi	On United flights, WiFi is available for purchase on most flights.	Free WiFi is available on most flights.
Seatback Screens	Available on many flights, especially on long-haul routes.	Not available on most flights. Passengers can use their personal devices for entertainment.
Entertainment Options	Free games, movies, TV shows, music, and podcasts are available on seatback screens.	Passengers can download the Southwest app, which is free for all passengers, can can stream their favourite TV shows, movies, & games.
Power Outlets	Available on most planes, especially on newer aircraft & long flights.	Available on most planes.

5. Food & Beverages: Overall On-board Experience

Both of the airlines provide complimentary food and drinks on most of their flight. But for more premium meals and drink options, you can opt for United Airlines, as it provides more food options compared to Southwest.

Features	United Airlines	Southwest Airlines
Food in Economy Class	Free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on shorter flights. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase	Free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are offered. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase.
Long-Haul Flights	On Long-haul flights, United serves complementary meals mostly in international and premium cabins. Moreover, special meal options are available for dietary restrictions upon request.	Southwest does not offer meals on most flights, but snacks and drinks are complimentary.
First Class & Business Class Food Options	Full meal service with more premium options (breakfast, lunch, & dinner).High-quality meals with a wide selection, including wine & cocktails.	Priority boarding and a free premium drink. No full meal service in the first class on domestic flights, but snacks and beverages are offered.

6. Baggage Allowance & Policies

The terms of baggage allowance, Southwest Airlines clearly wins in terms of overall value, especially for those traveling with multiple bags.

Categories	United Airlines	Southwest Airlines
Carry-on Baggage	One personal item and one carry-on bag are allowed.	One personal item and one standard carry-on bag are allowed per passenger.
Checked Baggage	Checked bags are allowed for a fee. 1 bag = $35 (Approx)2nd bag = $45Weight & Size = 50 lbs & 62 inches.	2 checked bags are allowed for free. Each bag must not exceed 50 lbs/23 kg and 62 inches in dimension.
Overweight & Oversized Baggage	For bags between 51-70 lbs, a fee of $100 is charged. For bags between 71-100 lbs, a fee of $200 is charged by the airline. For the bag sizes from 62 to 115 inches, a fee of $75 is applied by the airline.	For bags weighing over 50 lbs and size more than 62 inches, a fee of $75 is applied.
Special Items	Special items like sports equipment are applied for a fee.	Sporting equipment and other special items are allowed for free or at a minimum fee.

7. Loyalty Programs

If you are a frequent flyer with either United or Southwest Airlines, you must have heard about airlines’ loyalty programs, which they offer to their loyal passengers. These programs come with various benefits and perks that make travel more seamless for the passengers. 

Name Of The Program	United Airlines-MileagePlus	Southwest Airlines-Rapid Rewards
Miles Earning	Points based on ticket price & fare class. More miles for elite members & premium cabins.	Points based on ticket prices & fare class. Earn more with Business Select & Anytime fare classes.
Elite Status Levels	Premium Silver Premium Gold Premium Platinum Premium 1K	A-List Preferred
Benefits	Complementary upgrades Premier access Increased baggage allowance	Priority boarding Bonus points Free wifi
Expiration Policy	Miles do not expire.	Points do not expire as long as your account is active.
Travel Perks	Get access to Polaris lounges (for business class).More international upgrade options.	Two free checked bags always. No change fee

8. Airport Lounges & Additional Perks

If you want to explore lounges at the airport and are hoping for more perks during the flight, United Airlines could be the right choice for you. However, if you are looking for free baggage allowance and a low-stress flying experience, go for Southwest. 

Features	United Airlines	Southwest Airlines
Airport Lounges	United Club lounges are available at major airports. Polaris Lounges for international business class passengers.	Southwest does not operate or partner with any airport lounges.
On-board Perks	Premium Cabin meals Amenity kits for Polaris passengers In-seat power, larger IFE screens.	Free snacks & drinks
Priority Services	Premium members enjoy priority check-in, boarding, security, and baggage handling.	Business Select offers priority boarding and security screening.
Other Notable Benefits	Passengers can get access to global lounges, upgrades, and check-in perks across all the United partner airlines that come under the Star Alliance.	One of the best perks of Southwest Airlines is allowing a friend to fly free with you.

Conclusion: United vs. Southwest Airlines- Which Is Better?

When comparing United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, it becomes clear that each caters to very different types of travelers. However, the right choice will depend on what you value the most in your travel experience. Be it the flexibility, baggage, prices, comfort, or global reach, you can choose whatever you prefer the most. If you are flying domestically, with multiple bags, and want t budget-friendly, no-fuss experience, Southwest Airlines is a fantastic choice. Its generous baggage allowance, no change fee, and friendly services make it ideal for passengers to move freely to their destination. On the other hand, if you are looking for more premium services, multiple class options, & amenities, it is better to go for United Airlines. 

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