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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Better options than

Southwest Airlines alternatives

Southwest Airlines users often look for alternatives due to issues with seat selection, app functionality, and new boarding policies. Alternatives like United Airlines, Fly Delta, Expedia, Booking.com, and Alaska Hawaiian offer different strengths, from robust app features to comprehensive travel booking.

Why users look for alternatives to Southwest Airlines

The alternatives

United Airlines
4.8★ · 8,131,579 ratings · Free

While no specific reviews for United Airlines were provided, Southwest users mention its app as a benchmark for better functionality and advanced features R25R27. Some Southwest customers consider switching to United due to dissatisfaction with Southwest's seat selection issues R30.

Better for: Users prioritizing a more advanced and functional airline app R25R27 and those frustrated with Southwest's seat selection policies R30.

Head-to-head: Southwest Airlines vs United Airlines
Fly Delta
4.8★ · 7,005,680 ratings · Free

Fly Delta is praised for its fantastic app, offering excellent communication with fast updates on gate changes and accurate flight information, often more reliable than airport flight boards R52R58. The app is generally considered user-friendly R58.

Better for: Travelers who prioritize clear and immediate flight communication, especially during delays or gate changes R52R58. It's also suitable for users seeking a generally user-friendly app experience R58.

Head-to-head: Southwest Airlines vs Fly Delta
Expedia
4.8★ · 5,803,762 ratings · Free

Expedia is valued for its ease of navigation and ability to find good deals on prices R69. Users appreciate quick and friendly check-ins at hotels booked through the platform R66.

Better for: Budget-conscious travelers looking for good deals and an easy booking experience across various travel components R69. It's also suitable for those who value efficient hotel check-in processes R66.

Head-to-head: Southwest Airlines vs Expedia
Booking.com
4.8★ · 2,039,539 ratings · Free

Booking.com is an excellent app for finding the best booking options and saving time, with many users finding it easy to use for hotel stays and appreciating its customer service R82R84R86R88. It provides reassurance for family travel, ensuring reliable and comfortable stays R88.

Better for: Families and individuals who prioritize reliability and comfort in their hotel bookings R88, as well as those looking for an easy-to-use app to find good deals on accommodations R82R84R86.

Head-to-head: Southwest Airlines vs Booking.com
Alaska Hawaiian
4.8★ · 1,563,891 ratings · Free

Alaska Hawaiian is highly recommended for its quick and easy-to-use app for looking up flights, booking, checking in, and pre-ordering in-flight meals R102. Users consistently praise the airline's service, baggage handling, and flights, often calling it the 'Best Airline' R100R104. The check-in process is noted for being easy and not pushing unnecessary extras .

Better for: Frequent flyers who value a straightforward booking and check-in process without aggressive upselling R102. It's also ideal for those who prioritize excellent customer service and a reliable flight experience R97R100R104.

Head-to-head: Southwest Airlines vs Alaska Hawaiian
Stick with Southwest Airlines if

You are an A-list preferred member, as the perks are fantastic and the app makes managing travel, alerts, and changes easy . You also might stick with Southwest if you appreciate the staff's helpfulness and friendliness and find the overall procedures uncomplicated .

Evidence note: United Airlines has too few reviews to judge its app or service comprehensively, with user mentions primarily comparing it to Southwest's app functionality.

Frequently asked

Why are Southwest Airlines customers looking for alternatives?
Southwest Airlines customers are looking for alternatives primarily due to dissatisfaction with new boarding and seat assignment policies, which often require paying for specific seats or result in poor assignments R6R13R16R22. Additionally, the app frequently has bugs, such as login issues, problems saving flight information, and slow loading times R4R7R9R10.
What are the main issues with the Southwest Airlines app?
The Southwest Airlines app has several issues, including difficulty logging in or creating an account R7R10, not saving flight information R9R25, problems adding boarding passes to Apple Wallet , slow loading times for boarding passes , and errors when trying to upgrade seats or check in luggage . Some users describe it as "trash" or a "nightmare" R4R25.
Does Fly Delta have a good app?
Yes, Fly Delta is praised for having a fantastic and user-friendly app that provides excellent communication, sending immediate updates for gate changes and accurate flight information, which users find more reliable than airport flight boards R52R58.
Is Expedia good for finding deals?
Yes, Expedia is noted for its ease of navigation and for consistently providing good deals on prices R69.
Is Alaska Hawaiian a reliable airline?
Yes, Alaska Hawaiian is considered a reliable airline, with users consistently reporting zero issues with service, baggage, or flights R104. Many call it the "Best Airline" and appreciate its customer service R97R100R104.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 106 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R6] Southwest Airlines 3/5 · US Changes: I heard when southwest decided to make these current changes that you “listened” to what us customers wanted and gave it to us. Well, I personally and know many more that feel the same, do NOT like the new process. I do not like being assigned a seat or being forced to purchase one to avoid that assignment. Simply put, you could have continued to fill your planes the old way, but the
  2. [R13] Southwest Airlines 2/5 · US Bad seat: Even though I checked in literally the second that seating arrangements opened up. I still got a terrible seat. I'm not sure like this.
  3. [R16] Southwest Airlines 1/5 · US Seat selection: I shouldn't have to pay to get an aisle seat. I should be able to select it without an additional fee
  4. [R22] Southwest Airlines 1/5 · US check in: I check in early and get the last chair
  5. [R4] Southwest Airlines 1/5 · US Trash: App is trash like Frontier
  6. [R7] Southwest Airlines 1/5 · US Worst App: It has taken forever just to scan passports I’ve had to restart each time I finish one because it can’t refresh…uuugggh!
  7. [R9] Southwest Airlines 3/5 · US Typing in confirmation number: I booked our flights online, but I have to enter the confirmation number every time I look at the app. Is there a way to save so this isn’t necessary?
  8. [R10] Southwest Airlines 1/5 · US Way to hard to create an account: Why the f is it so hard to create an account error after error bruh
  9. [R1] Southwest Airlines 1/5 · US Suckie seats on Southwest!!!: I used to love this airline. Now they have the worst seating just like every other nickel and dime airline. Hello late stage capitalism!
  10. [R19] Southwest Airlines 2/5 · US SW HAS REALLY CHANGED FOR THE WORST!: We have been longtime SW flyers, enjoyed the perks of being credit card holders and using our points for free flights. All that changed in January! Now only my husband can get the free bag because he is the primary name on the account even though we have joint everything and o have a card with my name on it for the same account! They now have so many levels fo
  11. [R32] Southwest Airlines 5/5 · US Like check in process: Don’t like the new designated seats by numbers instead of zones. Don’t like baggage fees. But I still prefer Southwest Airlines to any other airlines.
  12. [R34] Southwest Airlines 1/5 · US Fees & Charges: Ridiculous seat fees & baggage fees and charges for the flight are outrageous. SWA is no more a reasonable way to travel and there are no additional benefits to offset the charges.
  13. [R25] Southwest Airlines 1/5 · US Worst airline app: This app is a nightmare. Never saves my flights. Impossible to change seats. So slow. Whoever is in charge of this app should be embarrassed and fired. United’s app was more advanced than this 20 years ago!! Southwest needs to restart this from scratch
  14. [R27] Southwest Airlines 3/5 · US Poor functionality: Not very intuitive. Should really copy the United Airlines app functionality. Also, I asked their chat box about my flight, if it was direct or not, and it could not answer that simple question.
  15. [R30] Southwest Airlines 3/5 · US App didn’t allow me to choose seats!!!: Long time loyal Southwest customer. This entire year 2026, I have not been able to select my seats. I have a Southwest credit card and still I have not been able. Customer Service wasn’t much help. Help! Contact me! Do I need to change my loyalty to United???
  16. [R52] Fly Delta 5/5 · US Fantastic app. Get it: Do not screw this app up! Great communication from delta to your phone. I’m sure if they could carry you to the terminal the app would. Fast comms when you need to see your gate. Love this app!!!!
  17. [R58] Fly Delta 5/5 · US Such a wonderful user experience: This is simply a wonderful app. I recently experienced 3 flight delays due to thunderstorms across the east coast. The Delta app immediately sends me a gate change update via the mobile app and text message. It has the most accurate flight information, so I don’t have to read the possibly outdated flight boards at the airport. I love how easy it is to access board
  18. [R66] Expedia 5/5 · US Quick, Easy & Friendly Check-In: Arrived at the hotel and was quickly greeted by staff at the check in counter. She was great! Absolutely love receiving a drink token when arriving-hope more hotels follow this trend!
  19. [R69] Expedia 5/5 · US Best Deals: I love the ease of navigating the App.. always happy with the prices I pay.
  20. [R82] Booking.com 5/5 · US Excelente app: Me encanta mucho usar booking para mis reservas y el servicio al cliente tambien es muy bueno. Recomendado
  21. [R84] Booking.com 5/5 · US Easy bookings: Always easy to use and always find great deals on hotel stays
  22. [R86] Booking.com 5/5 · US Useful app to save time and display the best booking options: Good app. It finds the best place for you
  23. [R88] Booking.com 5/5 · US Great Opportunities: I don’t have to overthink anything about my stays. When I travel with my family. I need reassurance that they will never be left out in the cold or sleeping in a sketchy motel. Booking Dot Yeah!! It’s what sums up my piece of mind when it comes to reliability and comfort.
  24. [R97] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Customer service: Customer service helped us a ton when we had some health issues, walked us through how to cancel, use the wallet, and rebook. Very grateful and thankful.
  25. [R100] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US My Experience: Alaskan Airlines has always been a premier airline for myself. I’ve worked in Seattle and I’ve lived in Seattle and I have family there so I prefer to choose Alaskan Airlines when I travel to Seattle Washington thank you.
  26. [R102] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Quick and Easy to use.: The app makes it quick and easy to look up flights, book, check-in, pre-order in flight meals all on the go. If you fly Alaska Air Group, highly recommend using the app.
  27. [R104] Alaska Hawaiian 5/5 · US Best Airline: We fly an awful lot and have had zero issues with the service or the baggage or flights with Alaska. Best in the budiness

Synthesized from 106 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store