Southwest Airlines is a major airline based in the United States and the world’s largest low-cost carrier. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has scheduled service to 121 destinations in the United States and ten additional countries. In this article, we discuss the top Southwest Airlines Competitors and Alternatives.
Southwest Airlines, a notable low-cost carrier and third largest airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas, operates over 4,000 Boeing 737 flights daily to around 100 US and international destinations. Recognized for affordability and reliability, their unique model focuses on low fares and solid service, including policies like “Bags Fly Free” and open seating, which appeal to leisure and business travelers.
- Product Type: Airline.
- Industry: Aviation.
- Founded Date: March 15, 1967.
- Founders: Herb Kelleher and Rollin King.
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, United States.
- Area Served: United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
- Current CEO: Gary C. Kelly.
Table of Contents
The top Southwest Airlines competitors are
1. JetBlue Airways
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: February 1999
- Founders: David Neeleman
- Headquarters: Long Island City, New York, United States
- Area Served: United States, Caribbean, Central America, South America
- Current CEO: Robin Hayes
JetBlue Airways is a low-cost airline that offers a range of domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its focus on customer service, comfortable seating, and in-flight amenities. With a fleet of modern aircraft, JetBlue provides passengers with a range of options, from economy to business class, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.
2. Spirit Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: 1983
- Founders: Ned Homfeld
- Headquarters: Miramar, Florida, United States
- Area Served: United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America
- Current CEO: Edward Christie Sims
Spirit Airlines is a budget airline that aims to provide affordable travel options to its customers. The brand is known for its no-frills approach, offering low fares while charging extra for additional services such as baggage and seat selection. Spirit Airlines operates a fleet of modern aircraft and serves a range of domestic and international destinations.
3. Frontier Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: February 8, 1994
- Founders: N/A
- Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, United States
- Area Served: United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador and Canada.
- Current CEO: Barry L. Biffle
Frontier Airlines is a budget airline that focuses on providing low-cost travel options to its customers. The brand is known for its ultra-low fares and a la carte pricing business model, allowing passengers to choose and pay only for the services they need. Frontier Airlines operates a fleet of modern aircraft and serves a wide range of domestic and international destinations.
4. Allegiant Air
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: January 1997
- Founders: Maurice J. Gallagher Jr.
- Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
- Area Served: United States and Mexico.
- Current CEO: Maurice J. Gallagher Jr.
Allegiant Air is a low-cost airline primarily operating scheduled and charter flights to vacation destinations. The brand is known for its focus on leisure travel, offering affordable fares and vacation packages to famous tourist spots. Allegiant Air operates a fleet of modern aircraft and serves a range of domestic and international destinations.
5. Sun Country Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: June 7, 1982
- Founders: Jim Olsen and Stan Gadek
- Headquarters: Eagan, Minnesota, United States
- Area Served: United States and Mexico.
- Current CEO: Jude Bricker
Sun Country Airlines is a low-cost airline that offers a range of domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its focus on customer service, comfortable seating, and in-flight amenities. With a fleet of modern aircraft, Sun Country Airlines provides passengers with a range of options, from economy to business class, ensuring a pleasant travel experience.
6. American Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: April 15, 1926
- Founders: Charles Lindbergh, Donald Douglas, Cyrus Rowlett Smith
- Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Robert Isom
American Airlines is a major airline that operates a vast network of domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its extensive route network, high-quality service, and loyalty program. With a large fleet of modern aircraft, American Airlines offers a wide range of services and amenities to cater to the needs of its diverse customer base.
7. Delta Air Lines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: May 30, 1924
- Founders: Collett E. Woolman, C. H. McHenery, Travis Oliver, Malcolm S. Biedenharn
- Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Edward Bastian
Delta Air Lines is a major airline with a global network of domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its focus on customer service, reliability, and innovation. With a modern fleet of aircraft, Delta Air Lines offers a range of services and amenities, including in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi, to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.
8. United Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: April 6, 1926
- Founders: Walter Varney, Louis Varney
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Scott Kirby
United Airlines is a major airline with a global network of domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its extensive route network, high-quality service, and loyalty program. With a large fleet of modern aircraft, United Airlines offers a wide range of services and amenities to cater to the needs of its diverse customer base.
9. Alaska Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: June 6, 1932
- Founders: Linious “Mac” McGee and Wesley C. “Earl” Dunkle
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States
- Area Served: North America and Hawaii
- Current CEO: Ben Minicucci
Alaska Airlines is a major airline primarily serving destinations in the western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. The brand is known for its focus on customer service, comfortable seating, and in-flight amenities. With a modern fleet of aircraft, Alaska Airlines provides passengers with a range of options, including economy, premium economy, and first class, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.
10. Hawaiian Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: January 30, 1929
- Founders: Inter-island Airways Limited
- Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
- Area Served: Hawaii, Asia, Oceania, and the United States Mainland
- Current CEO: Peter R Ingram
Hawaiian Airlines is a major airline primarily serving destinations in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. The brand is known for its focus on customer service, in-flight hospitality, and entertainment. With a fleet of modern aircraft, Hawaiian Airlines offers a range of services and amenities, including comfortable seating, complimentary meals, and in-flight entertainment, to ensure a pleasant travel experience.
11. Air Canada
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: April 10, 1937
- Founders: Canadian National Railway, Trans-Canada Air Lines
- Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Michael Rousseau
Air Canada is a major airline that operates both domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its extensive route network, high-quality service, and frequent flyer program. With a large fleet of modern aircraft, Air Canada offers a range of services and amenities to cater to the needs of its diverse customer base.
12. WestJet Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: February 29, 1996
- Founders: Clive Beddoe, Mark Hill, Tim Morgan, Donald Bell
- Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Ed Sims
WestJet Airlines is a Canadian low-cost airline that offers domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its friendly customer service, comfortable seating, and no-frills approach. With a fleet of modern aircraft, WestJet Airlines provides passengers with affordable travel options and a pleasant flying experience.
13. Volaris
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: March 13, 2006
- Founders: TACA Airlines, Discovery Americas I, Protego Equity Investors, Inbursa, and other investors.
- Headquarters: Mexico City, Mexico
- Area Served: Mexico and the United States
- Current CEO: Enrique Beltranena
Volaris is a Mexican low-cost airline that primarily operates domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its affordable fares, on-time performance, and convenient flight schedules. Volaris offers various services and amenities to ensure customers a comfortable and enjoyable air travel experience.
14. Viva Aerobus
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: 2006
- Founders: IAMSA and Ryanair Holdings plc.
- Headquarters: Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
- Area Served: Mexico and the United States.
- Current CEO: Juan Carlos Zuazua Cosío.
Viva Aerobus is a low-cost Mexican airline that provides customers with budget travel options and daily flights. The brand is known for its affordable fares, no-frills service, and efficient operations. Viva Aerobus operates a fleet of modern aircraft and serves its domestic passengers to a range of domestic and international destinations.
15. Ryanair
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: November 28, 1984
- Founders: Tony Ryan
- Headquarters: Dublin Airport, Ireland
- Area Served: Europe and North Africa
- Current CEO: Eddie Wilson
Ryanair is a leading European low-cost airline with a vast domestic and international flight network. The brand is known for its ultra-low fares, efficient operations, and extensive route network. Ryanair offers various services and amenities, including online check-in and optional extras, to enhance its customers’ travel experience.
16. easyJet
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: March 1995
- Founders: Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou
- Headquarters: London Luton Airport, Luton, England
- Area Served: Europe and North Africa
- Current CEO: Johan Lundgren
easyJet is a European low-cost airline that offers domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its affordable fares, reliable service, and user-friendly online booking platform. With a large fleet size of modern aircraft, easyJet provides passengers with various options and a seamless travel experience.
17. Wizz Air
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: May 19, 2003
- Founders: József Váradi
- Headquarters: Budapest, Hungary
- Area Served: Europe and the Middle East
- Current CEO: József Váradi
Wizz Air is a European low-cost airline that focuses on providing affordable travel options to its customers. The brand is known for its low fares, extensive route network, and efficient operations. Wizz Air operates a fleet of modern aircraft and serves a range of domestic and international destinations.
18. Volotea
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: 2011
- Founders: Carlos Muñoz, Lázaro Ros
- Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain
- Area Served: Europe and North Africa
- Current CEO: Carlos Muñoz
Volotea is a European low-cost airline that primarily operates domestic and regional flights. The brand is known for its affordable fares, comfortable seating, and personalized service. Volotea offers a range of services and amenities to ensure a pleasant travel experience for its customers.
19. Jetstar Airways
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: May 25, 2004
- Founders: Qantas Group
- Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia
- Area Served: Australia and Asia-Pacific
- Current CEO: Gareth Evans
Jetstar Airways is a low-cost Qantas subsidiary that operates domestic and international flights. The low-cost carrier brand is known for its affordable fares, reliable service, and convenient flight schedules. Jetstar Airways offers a range of services and amenities to cater to the needs of its customers.
20. Scoot
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: November 1, 2011
- Founders: Singapore Airlines
- Headquarters: Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
- Area Served: Asia-Pacific and Europe
- Current CEO: Campbell Wilson
Scoot is a low-cost airline based in Singapore that offers short and long-haul flights. The brand is known for its affordable fares, efficient operations, and focus on customer service. Scoot provides passengers with various services and amenities to enhance their travel experience.
21. AirAsia X
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: 2007
- Founders: Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun
- Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Sepang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
- Area Served: Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
- Current CEO: Benyamin Ismail.
AirAsia X is a long-haul, low-cost airline that operates a network of domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its affordable fares, reliable service, and focus on customer satisfaction. AirAsia X offers a range of services and amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience for its customers.
22. Norwegian Air Shuttle
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: January 22, 1993
- Founders : Bjørn Kjos, Bjørn Kise, and others
- Headquarters: Fornebu, Norway
- Area Served: Europe and North America
- Current CEO: Jacob Schram
Norwegian Air Shuttle is a low-cost Norwegian airline that operates domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its affordable fares, modern aircraft, and high-quality service. Norwegian Air Shuttle offers a range of services and amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment, to enhance the travel experience for its passengers.
23. Eurowings
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: 1993
- Founders: Lufthansa
- Headquarters: Düsseldorf, Germany
- Area Served: Europe and North Africa
- Current CEO: Jens Bischof
Eurowings is a German low-cost airline that operates domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its affordable fares, convenient flight schedules, and efficient operations. Eurowings offers a range of services and amenities to cater to the needs of its diverse customer base.
24. Aeroméxico
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: September 15, 1934
- Founders : Antonio Díaz Lombardo
- Headquarters: Mexico City, Mexico
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Andrés Conesa
Aeroméxico is Mexico’s largest airline and flag carrier airline that operates domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its extensive route network, high-quality service, lower fares, and frequent flyer program. With a large fleet of modern aircraft, Aeroméxico provides passengers various services and amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.
25. Interjet
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: 2005
- Founders: Miguel Alemán Magnani, Miguel Alemán Velasco
- Headquarters: Mexico City, Mexico
- Area Served: Mexico, the United States, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
- Current CEO: William Shaw
Interjet is a Mexican low-cost airline that primarily operates domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its affordable fares, comfortable seating, and efficient operations. Interjet offers services and amenities, including free checked baggage, complimentary snacks, and in-flight entertainment, to enhance its customers’ travel experience.
26. Copa Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: June 21, 1944
- Founders: Pan American World Airways
- Headquarters: Panama City, Panama
- Area Served: The Americas and the Caribbean
- Current CEO: Pedro Heilbron
Copa Airlines is a Panamanian airline that operates a network of flights throughout the Americas. The brand is known for its reliable service, extensive route network, and high-quality customer experience. With a fleet of modern aircraft, Copa Airlines offers a range of services and amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.
27. Avianca
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: December 5, 1919
- Founders: German Arciniegas and others
- Headquarters: Bogotá, Colombia
- Area Served: The Americas and Europe
- Current CEO: Anko van der Werff
Avianca is a Colombian airline that operates regional and international flights. The brand is known for its extensive route network, modern fleet, and focus on customer service. Avianca offers a range of services and amenities, including in-flight entertainment and complimentary meals, to enhance the travel experience for its passengers.
28. LATAM Airlines
- Product Type: Airline
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: March 5, 1929
- Founders: Arturo Merino Benítez
- Headquarters: Santiago, Chile
- Area Served: The Americas and Europe
- Current CEO: Roberto Alvo
LATAM Airlines is a Latin American airline that operates domestic and international flights. The brand is known for its extensive route network, high-quality service, and convenient connections. With a large fleet of modern aircraft, LATAM Airlines offers a range of services and amenities to cater to the needs of its diverse customer base.
29. SkyWest Airlines
- Product Type: Airline holding company
- Industry: Aviation
- Founded Date: March 1972
- Founders: Ralph Atkin
- Headquarters: St. George, Utah, United States.
- Area Served: United States and Canada.
- Current CEO: Chip Childs.
SkyWest Airlines is a regional airline that primarily operates flights on behalf of major airlines. The brand is known for its reliable service, efficient operations, and focus on customer satisfaction. SkyWest Airlines provides passengers with various services and amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience for many customers.
These were all Southwest Airlines’ competitors. If you know any other competitors, please write in the comments below.
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