You can now view Southwest flights on this popular website

You can now search for Southwest flights on Kayak

By Mark Reif Published August 6, 2024

Wing of a Southwest airplane — Sarah Brown via Unsplash

Southwest Airlines has a history of doing things differently. There was open seating, where passengers rushed to reserve the best spots. Jovial presentations from flight attendants lightened the mood before long flights. When it came to viewing and booking flights, there was only one option for leisure travelers: visiting the carrier’s website.

Two months ago, that changed with Southwest flights becoming viewable on Google Flights. Now, there’s another option, with the fares now displayed on Kayak.com, a travel price comparison website. The move follows Southwest’s continuing evolution after it recently announced assigned seating.

Recommended Videos

Kayak and Southwest Airlines: A good deal for today’s travelers

Southwest airplane taking off — Jacob Mathers via Unsplash

On Friday, Kayak soft-launched Southwest flights, and on Monday, announced they’ll begin showing the carrier’s fares. When searching for tickets on Kayak, customers can see the airline’s Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus schedules and prices. A button for View Deal takes them to Southwest.com for final booking. Additionally, the search results show baggage options, which include two free checked bags, and one carry-on item.

Steve Hafner, CEO and Co-founder of Kayak, said “Our relationship with them has been consistently great. It’s simply taken us 20 years to convince them to increase their distribution reach via meta. They’ve finally agreed and we’re thrilled.”

Even with the change, no online travel agencies can display Southwest flights and fares. Using metasearch sites like Google or Kayak, customers get redirected to Southwest.com to complete the booking process.

Besides that, Kayak offers a great way to view and compare flights, fares, and more. By typing in destinations and times, customers get info from hundreds of websites, leading them to the best deals.

Mark Reif has a passion for the outdoors and travel, and telling the stories of his experiences. He’s a lifelong…

Travel

Is flight insurance worth it? A guide to help you decide

What you need to know before buying flight insurance

Person standing on an airplane

A few years ago, I had a dream trip planned across the country. Flights were booked, hotels were reserved, and itineraries were finalized. Then, two days before departure, I got the flu, bad. My doctor advised me not to travel, but since I didn’t have travel insurance, I was going to lose out on the entire cost of my non-refundable ticket. That was the moment I realized flight insurance isn’t just an upsell. For some travelers, it can really work out. In this case, I wish I had sprung for the insurance. But is flight insurance worth it for you? Let’s break it down.
What does flight insurance cover?

When it comes to what flight insurance covers, the policies vary. You should check your specific policy for exact coverage details, but they typically include some or all of the following benefits:

Travel

Passengers from these US airports can skip security at Heathrow Airport

Some travelers from the US can skip Heathrow's security lines

London Heathrow Terminal 5

Traveling to Europe provides excitement and possibilities, from London’s historic buildings and streets to Zurich’s lake views and art museums. There’s almost too much to take in. But connecting through an airport like London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) can be a maze of security lines and waits, adding stress to your dream getaway.

Thanks to a new pilot program, some travelers from the U.S. can skip security lines at Heathrow Airport when making a connection. Known as One Stop Security (OSS), the program is a collaboration between American Airlines and British Airways. It lets passengers from select U.S. airports skip the security lines when connecting.
OSS lets some passengers breeze through Heathrow
Heathrow Airport Tomek Baginski via Unsplash

Travel

Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines partner for flights to these destinations

Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines work together on new routes

Etihad aircraft

Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines—the national carriers of the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia—have announced a Joint Venture (JV) to enhance connectivity across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The agreement was signed at Ethiopian Airlines’ headquarters in Addis Ababa and includes a codeshare agreement that further expands travel across each airline’s network.
From Abu Dhabi to Addis Ababa and beyond

The agreement includes new routes between Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Ethiopian Airlines will start flights from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to Zayed International Airport (AUH) on July 15. Etihad will begin flights to Addis Ababa on October 1.