Southwest Airlines is known as the world’s largest budget airline and is based in the United States. The airline has its headquarters in Dallas, Texas and operates flights to various destinations around the world from 11 operating bases.
The 11 operating bases of SWA are Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston–Hobby, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love and Denver.
Southwest is also recognised as the world’s largest Boeing 737 operator as the carrier owns more than 735 B737 jets. On the other hand, it is also preparing to add over 100 B737 MAX jets.
At Southwest, you will find Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus and Wanna Get Away fares. Today, we will explore Southwest Airlines Anytime Fare class with benefits, seatings, baggage allowance, check-in facilities, food and much more.
What is Southwest Airlines Anytime fare class?
Southwest Airlines Anytime is the second-best fare class offered after Business Select. Anytime provides various benefits including fully refundable tickets, early bird check-in, priority boarding, express lanes, Rapid Rewards Points and much more.
As an Anytime passenger, you can enjoy various amenities and travel with perfection. With this short introduction, let’s explore more about the Anytime fare class.
Southwest Airlines Anytime Benefits
Following are the major benefits offered by the Anytime Fare class.
Fully Refundable Tickets
If you manage to cancel your booking at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, you can get a full 100 per cent refund of your ticket to your original form of payment. For flights booked with Rapid Rewards points, you will receive a refund in the form of Reward points in the Rapid Rewards account holder.
Free in-flight entertainment
All Southwest Anytime passengers can enjoy free entertainment on board with the availability of free movies, inflight messaging and live TV. Passengers are required to download and install the Southwest app on their device to enjoy entertainment onboard.
Flight change at the last minute
Southwest Anytime passengers can easily change their flight on the day of travel without extra charges. If seats are available, the same-day change will be confirmed instantly otherwise they will be kept on the same-day standby list.
Receive and Transfer Flight Credits
If you cancel your flight with Southwest Anytime fare, you have the option to receive Flight Credits that can be used on future travel for up to 12 months from the initial date of booking. You need to cancel your booking at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure for receiving flight credits. Furthermore, you can transfer your flight credits to Rapid Reward members who could be your friend, relative, co-worker or loved ones.
Priority Boarding and Express Security Lanes
Anytime passengers can reach their gate faster via dedicated check-in and faster security lanes.
EarlyBird Check-in
If you purchase a Southwest Anytime ticket at least 36 hours from the departure time, you’ll be eligible to access the EarlyBird Check-in feature that allows you to enjoy early access to overhead bins and seats.
Rapid Rewards Points
Anytime passengers can receive 10X Rapid Rewards Points and quickly increase such points. With Anytime fare, you receive 10 points for every dollar spent on the airline’s base fare. Earned points can be used to book future travel.
Besides, there are some other extra benefits of flying with SWA Anytime Fare.
- Two free checked bags
- No additional charges for flight changes or cancellations
- Same-day Confirmed Change with applicable fare difference
- Same-day Standby List with applicable fare difference
- Automatic Check-in with EarlyBird Check-in
- Premium Drink on flights over 175 miles with an additional charge
Southwest Airlines Anytime Seats
All seats on Southwest Airlines’ Boeing 737 are the same size. The only difference you will feel is the features and benefits.
Southwest Airlines Anytime Seating Chart
Every seat on the Southwest Airlines fleet including Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the same. The SWA Boeing 737-700 is built with 143 standard economy seats with a pitch of 31 inches and a seat width of 17 inches whereas the B737-800 is configured with 175 standard economy seats with a pitch of 32-33 inches and a seat width of 17 inches.
On the other hand, the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets feature 175 standard economy seats with a pitch of 32-33 inches and a seat width of 17.8 inches.
| AIRCRAFT TYPE | NUMBER OF SEATS | PITCH | WIDTH |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 175 standard economy seats | 32-33 inches | 17.8 inches |
| Boeing 737-800 | 175 standard economy seats | 32-33 inches | 17 inches |
| Boeing 737-700 | 143 standard economy seats | 31 inches | 17 inches |
As you observe the Southwest Airlines seating chart, you only see the economy configurations. That’s why Anytime and other fare classes have the same seat size and the only difference is benefits and perks.
Southwest Airlines Anytime Baggage Allowance
Southwest Airlines passengers can carry two checked bags for free along with carry-on bags including one bag and one small personal item in all fare classes; however, there are some weight and dimension limitations that passengers have to meet.
As an Anytime passenger, you can bring the first two checked bags for free. Carrying skis and golf bags may also be free sometimes while surfboards fly free in Hawaii. Also, each checked bag mustn’t weigh more than 50 pounds and the dimension, not be more than 62 inches (length + width + height).
If you are carrying more than two checked bags, each additional bag will cost US$75 if the weight is not more than 50 pounds and the dimensions no bigger than 62 inches (length + width + height). If the bags exceed these weight and size limitations, you will be required to pay an excess baggage fee plus the applicable oversize or overweight charge.
Note: Baggage weighing more than 100 pounds and exceeding 80 inches in size are not allowed on the passenger flights and must be shipped as Air Cargo.
Furthermore, you can bring carry-on bags and personal items on board Southwest Airlines flights. You can carry one small personal item and a carry-on bag with a size limitation of 24 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches (L x W x H) for carry-on and 16.25 inches by 13.5 inches by 8 inches (L x W x H) for personal items.
If you are searching for Southwest baggage policies, please refer to this Southwest Airlines official help centre.
Southwest Airlines Anytime Refund Policy
Southwest Airlines Anytime fare is fully refundable so, you will receive a 100 per cent refund of your ticket value to your original form of payment. To become eligible for receiving a full refund, you must cancel your flight at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
If you have booked your Anytime flight with previously earned flight credit, the refund will be made as a flight credit. Likewise, Anytime flight booked with Rapid Rewards Points and cancelled afterwards will be refunded as Rapid Rewards Points to the account holder.
Southwest Airlines Anytime vs Business Select
| FEATURES | Anytime | Business Select |
| Rapid Rewards Earning Potential | 10X | 12X |
| Baggage Allowance | Two free checked bags | Two Free Checked Bags |
| Flight Change or Cancellation Fee | Free | Free |
| Flight Credit on cancellation (for up to 12 months) | Available | Available |
| Flight Credit Transfer | Available for Rapid Rewards Members | Available for Rapid Rewards Members |
| Same-day Confirmed Flight Change | Available | Available |
| Same-day Standby List | Available | Available |
| Refundable Ticket | Available | Available |
| Priority and Express Lanes | Available | Available |
| Automatic Check-in | Available with EarlyBird Check-in | A1-A15 Priority Boarding |
| Premium Drink | Available on flights over 175 miles (Extra Charge Applicable) | Available for free on flights over 175 miles |
Southwest Airlines Anytime vs Wanna Get Away Plus
| FEATURES | Anytime | Wanna Get Away Plus |
| Rapid Rewards Earning Potential | 10X | 8X |
| Baggage Allowance | Two free checked bags | Two Free Checked Bags |
| Flight Change or Cancellation Fee | Free | Free |
| Flight Credit on cancellation (for up to 12 months) | Available | Available |
| Flight Credit Transfer | Available | Available for Rapid Rewards Members |
| Same-day Confirmed Flight Change | Available | Available |
| Same-day Standby List | Available | Available |
| Refundable Ticket | Available | Not Available |
| Priority and Express Lanes | Available | Not Available |
| Automatic Check-in | Available with EarlyBird Check-in | Available (Extra Charge Applicable) |
| Premium Drink | Available on flights over 175 miles (Extra Charge Applicable) | Available on flights over 175 miles (Extra Charge Applicable) |
Southwest Airlines Anytime vs Wanna Get Away
| FEATURES | Anytime | Wanna Get Away |
| Rapid Rewards Earning Potential | 10X | 6X |
| Baggage Allowance | Two free checked bags | Two Free Checked Bags |
| Flight Change or Cancellation Fee | Free | Free |
| Flight Credit on cancellation (for up to 12 months) | Available | Available |
| Flight Credit Transfer | Available | Not Available |
| Same-day Confirmed Flight Change | Available | Available with Fare Difference |
| Same-day Standby List | Available | Available with Fare Difference |
| Refundable Ticket | Available | Not Available |
| Priority and Express Lanes | Available | Not Available |
| Automatic Check-in | Available with EarlyBird Check-in | Available (Extra Charge Applicable) |
| Premium Drink | Available on flights over 175 miles (Extra Charge Applicable) | Available on flights over 175 miles (Extra Charge Applicable) |
Conclusion
We have come to the end of this informative article where we discovered Southwest Airlines Anytime Fare class with benefits, features, seating, baggage allowance, comparison with other classes and so on.
Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does Anytime mean on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines Anytime is among the four fare classes that offer fully refundable tickets, dedicated boarding, EarlyBird Automatic Check-in, flight credit transfer, Rapid Rewards Points and much more.
Does Anytime board before Wanna Get Away?
Anytime provides priority boarding, express security lanes and automatic check-in features with EarlyBird Check-in so, passengers on this fare class board before Wanna Get Away.
What is the difference between Anytime and Wanna Get Away Southwest?
Anytime is the second-best fare class offered by Southwest whereas Wanna Get Away is the base fare class. You can receive 10X Rapid Rewards Points and faster boarding with Anytime.
What does Anytime mean on a Southwest flight?
Anytime is the fare class offered by Southwest Airlines. It is the second-best fare class after Business Select and followed by Wanna Get Away Plus and Wanna Get Away.
