For those customers who fly Southwest Airlines and are looking for a good deal on their next getaway, look no further than Google Flights. Now, the popular airline will appear on the search engine.
Southwest Airlines had previously excluded its fares from appearing in searches on Google Flights and online flight aggregators such as Expedia.com, according to CBS News. However, on May 22, for the first time, Southwest’s fares were available on Google Flights alongside those from other airlines.
Per Thrifty Traveler, the airline reportedly preferred to have its customers book directly on its site. This is still the case, as aggregator users will be redirected to Southwest Airlines’ site to finalize their flight plans. However, this switch makes it possible for those looking for a great bargain to search Southwest Airlines flights alongside other companies to make the best choice for their pockets.
“We’re extending the reach of Southwest.com by giving users of Google Flights enhanced visibility into our available flights, fares and the benefits of our products and services,” said a Southwest Airlines spokesperson in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. “In our initial piloting of this partnership, we’ve made it possible for Google Flights users to compare our different fare options and click directly into Southwest.com to book their selected itinerary.”
This comes on the heels of the airline releasing a report on its press site, which states it is “set for summer.” Southwest vows that its team is prepared to deliver its “world-famous hospitality during our peak travel season.”
Southwest Airlines promises its customers the following: no change or cancel fees (up to 10 minutes before departure), the first two checked bags fly free (weight and size limits apply), flight credits that never expire, and points that never expire. Also, per the company, customers can list themselves as same-day standby without paying a fare difference. They can take an earlier flight if space is available on the aircraft.