Southwest Airlines is one of the major airlines in the United States and is also recognised as the world’s largest low-cost carrier. The airline has its headquarters in Dallas, Texas and operates flights to various destinations across the globe from 11 operating bases.
The major operating bases for Southwest Airlines are Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, Houston–Hobby, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Orlando and Phoenix–Sky Harbor.
Southwest is also known as the world’s largest Boeing 737 operator as the carrier owns more than 735 B737 jets. Besides, the airline is also preparing to operate with over 100 B737 MAX jets.
Business Select, Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus and Wanna Get Away are the fare classes available at Southwest. Today, we will explore ‘What is Wanna Get Away Plus on Southwest Airlines?’ with benefits, seatings, baggage allowance, check-in facilities, food and much more.
What is Wanna Get Away Plus on Southwest Airlines?
Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away Plus is one of the four fare classes available that offer various features and amenities. It can be taken as the new and improvised version of the Wanna Get Away fare class.
Flight Credits, in-flight entertainment, instant flight change, rapid reward points and flight credits transfer are the most attractive features of the Wanna Get Away Plus.
With the short introduction, let’s explore more about Wanna Get Away Plus.
Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away Plus Benefits
Southwest Airlines introduced the Wanna Get Away Plus as a new fare with even more flexibility to offer passengers all the freedom of flying.
The major benefits of the Wanna Get Away Plus Fare class are listed below.
Get Flight Credit if you cancel
Southwest Wanna Get Away Plus tickets are non-refundable however, you can get flight credits if you cancel your flight. Received flight credits can be used on future travel for up to 12 months from the initial date of booing. Customers are required to cancel their booking at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure to receive flight credits.
Free in-flight entertainment
Southwest Airlines passengers can enjoy free in-flight entertainment with tons of movies, live TV, shows and inflight messaging. To access free entertainment on board, they must download the Southwest mobile app.
Transfer Flight Credits
As a Southwest Wanna Get Away Plus passenger, you can transfer flight credits to your friend, relatives, co-worker or someone of your choice who are the Rapid Rewards members.
Same-day flight change
One of the most important and interesting features of the Wanna Get Away Plus fare class is the same-day flight change. Customers can change to a different flight on their day of travel without additional charges. If there are seats available, your flight will be changed instantly but the unavailability of seats will take you to the same-day standby list.
Earn 8X Rapid Reward Points
You can earn up to 8 points per dollar spent with SWA Wanna Get Away Plus flight fare. With that, your rewards increase quickly and you can use those points to book future travel. Customers must become Rapid Rewards members to avail of 8X points.
In addition, Wanna Get Away Plus customers get other benefits that include:
- Two checked bags for free
- No additional fees for flight change or cancellation
- Automatic Check-in with an additional charge
- Premium Drink on flights above 175 miles with an additional charge
Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away Plus Seats
All the seats onboard the Southwest Airlines’ Boeing 737 are the same size. Just the features and amenities differ among the four different fare classes.
Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away Plus Seating Chart
Every seat on the SWA Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 are the same. The SWA B737-700 features 143 standard economy seats with a pitch of 31 inches and a seat width of 17 inches. Similarly, B737-800 accommodates 175 standard economy seats with a pitch of 32-33 inches and a seat width of 17 inches.
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 Wanna Get Away Plus and other fare classes have the same seat size and the only difference is the benefits.
Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away Plus 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 with Wanna Get Away Plus fare class. However, there are certain weight and dimension limitations on the checked and carry-on bags.
As a Wanna Get Away Plus customer, you can bring the first two checked bags for free. Sometimes, carrying skis and golf bags may also be free while surfboards fly free in Hawaii. As per the weight limitations, each checked bag mustn’t weigh over 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). You will be charged excess baggage plus the applicable oversize or overweight charge in case the bags exceed these weight and size limitations.
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.
Along with two free checked bags, 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 seeking more details on Southwest baggage policies, please refer to this Southwest Airlines official help centre.
Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away Plus Refund Policy
Among the four SWA Fare classes, only Anytime and Business Select offer refundable tickets. Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus passengers don’t get refundable tickets however, they get an option to transfer their flight credits for future travel.
If passengers cancel their flights at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure, they can receive flight credits and use them for future travel for up to 12 months from the initial date of booking.
Wanna Get Away vs Wanna Get Away Plus
Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fare classes look similar however, there are some differences between these two. Wanna Get Away Plus is the enhanced version of Wanna Get Away that comes with additional benefits.
| FEATURES | Wanna Get Away | Wanna Get Away Plus |
| Rapid Rewards Earning Potential | 6X | 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 | Not Available | Available for Rapid Rewards Members |
| Same-day Confirmed Flight Change | Available with fare difference | Available |
| Same-day Standby List | Available with Fare Difference | Available |
| Refundable Ticket | Not Available | Not Available |
| Priority and Express Lanes | Not Available | Not Available |
| Automatic Check-in | Available (Extra Charge Applicable) | 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
As we come to the conclusion, we explored ‘What is Wanna Get Away Plus on Southwest Airlines?’ with features, benefits, seating, baggage allowance, comparison with Wanna Get Away and so on.
Wanna Get Away Plus fare class is the improvised version of the Wanna Get Away. Business Select and Anytime are the first and second-best classes respectively whereas Wanna Get Away Plus is the third and Wanna Get Away the fourth.
