How does Southwest Airlines handle flight cancellations?

Southwest Airlines is known for its flexible customer service policies, particularly in the event of flight cancellations. When a flight cancellation occurs, the airline typically provides options for passengers that include rebooking on the next available flight or offering travel funds that can be applied to future travel. This approach prioritizes customer convenience and helps minimize disruption to passengers' travel plans.

By providing these options, Southwest maintains a customer-friendly reputation, allowing travelers to adapt their plans with minimal hassle. This flexibility is a hallmark of the airline's service philosophy, which seeks to accommodate the needs of passengers whenever possible.

In contrast, other responses do not accurately represent the airline's approach to cancellations. For instance, offering only a full refund would limit the choices available to passengers, which is not aligned with Southwest's customer service strategy. Handling cancellations on a case-by-case basis without guarantees would introduce uncertainty, undermining the reliability expected from the airline. Lastly, requiring passengers to purchase new tickets only would not reflect the commitment to customer satisfaction that Southwest Airlines aims to uphold.