What Happens If I Miss a Southwest Flight?

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What happens if I miss a Southwest flight +1-888-760-1051 number? Learn your options, standby choices, and how to protect your fare value when running late.

Missing a Southwest flight can feel stressful, but the airline offers flexible policies that can help reduce the inconvenience. What happens next depends on whether you arrive shortly after departure, the type of fare you purchased, and whether you notified the airline in time.

Understanding these details can help you take action quickly and avoid losing your travel funds.
If you miss your Southwest flight but arrive at the airport within a reasonable window—usually within two hours of your scheduled departure—Southwest may allow you to fly standby on the next available flight. This option is especially common for Anytime and Business Select fares.

Even Wanna Get Away fares sometimes qualify, but availability depends on seat openings and airport staff discretion. Standby travel lets you get on the next flight without paying a full fare difference, making it the preferred solution for many travelers.

Southwest also has a “No-Show” policy that matters when you miss your flight. If you purchased a Wanna Get Away fare and fail to cancel your reservation at least 10 minutes before departure, the entire fare value is forfeited. This means you lose the travel funds associated with that trip. However, if you cancel on time—even if you realize you won't make it only minutes beforehand—you can retain the travel credit for future use. Anytime and Business Select fares are more flexible; they remain reusable even if you accidentally no-show.

If you know you will not make your flight, the best thing to do is cancel or change your reservation online, through the app, or by speaking with a Southwest representative. Doing this even moments before departure protects your fare value and keeps your travel funds usable. Afterward, you can rebook another flight using your remaining travel credit.

In situations where you arrive too late for standby or same-day travel, Southwest will not automatically rebook you. You must purchase a new ticket or use your travel credits to secure a new seat. If your missed flight was due to factors outside your control—such as security delays, traffic issues, or late connections—you can still speak to an airport agent. While not guaranteed, they may offer assistance based on availability and circumstances.

Overall, missing a Southwest flight doesn’t always mean losing everything. Acting quickly, understanding the no-show policy, and exploring standby options can help you get back on your journey with minimal disruption.