When it comes to flying in the United States, two airlines often come to mind: American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
American Airlines operates a hub-and-spoke system, meaning flights are routed through major airport hubs, allowing them to offer a global network of destinations. Southwest Airlines, on the other hand, uses a point-to-point system, connecting cities directly and focusing primarily on domestic routes.
Choosing between American Airline vs Southwest depends on what matters most to you. Are you looking for international travel options and premium cabin experiences? Or do you prioritize low fares, flexible booking policies, and a more casual in-flight atmosphere?
This article breaks down the key differences between these two major airlines, comparing everything from route networks and loyalty programs to fees, in-flight amenities, and credit card perks. The goal is to provide you with the information you need to make the best choice for your next trip.
Route Networks and Destinations: Where They Fly
When it comes to planning your trip, it’s important to know which airline flies where. Here’s a look at the route networks of American and Southwest.
American Airlines’ Extensive Global Reach
If you’re hoping to travel internationally, American Airlines is likely to have more options for you. American flies to about 350 destinations in 63 countries, connecting smaller cities to major hubs through what’s known as a hub-and-spoke system.
American Airlines has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. From these hubs, you can catch flights to cities around the world.
Southwest Airlines’ Domestic Focus
Southwest Airlines focuses primarily on domestic routes within the United States, although it does fly to about 121 airports in 11 countries.
Unlike American, Southwest operates primarily on a point-to-point system, offering more direct flights between cities, though they do have a strong presence in Dallas (Love Field) and also fly inter-island routes in Hawaii.
Airline Loyalty Programs: AAdvantage vs. Rapid Rewards
If you fly often, you’ll probably want to join the airline’s loyalty program. Here’s how the programs compare.
American Airlines AAdvantage Program
AAdvantage offers four levels of elite status that come with perks like free upgrades and free checked bags. You earn miles based on how much you spend on the ticket.
You can redeem AAdvantage miles for flights, upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays. The value of AAdvantage miles varies depending on how you redeem them, but you can often get a decent value, especially if you’re flexible with your travel dates and destinations.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Program
With Rapid Rewards, you earn points based on the fare class and your status in the program. Higher fare classes and elite status earn you more points per dollar spent.
One of the most popular perks of the Rapid Rewards program is the Companion Pass. If you earn 135,000 points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year, you can designate one person to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) every time you purchase or redeem points for a flight.
The cost of an award ticket is tied to the cash price of the ticket. This means that the number of points needed for a flight will fluctuate based on demand and availability.
Fees and Baggage Policies: A Cost Comparison
When you’re weighing whether to fly American Airlines or Southwest, it’s smart to consider the fees you might encounter. A super-cheap flight can wind up costing you big-time if you have to pay extra for every little thing.
Southwest Airlines’ Customer-Friendly Fee Structure
Southwest has traditionally been known for having some of the lowest fees around. The airline famously lets you check two bags for free. Historically, they haven’t charged change or cancellation fees, either.
However, that’s about to change. Starting May 28, 2025, Southwest will begin charging extra if your bag is oversized or overweight. There will be exceptions, but expect to pay more if your bags don’t meet the size and weight guidelines.
American Airlines’ Fee Structure
With American Airlines, you’ll likely pay to check your bag, and you may run into other charges along the way. However, if you have elite status with the airline, some of those fees will be waived.
In-Flight Experience: Comfort and Amenities
When it comes to your time in the air, American and Southwest take very different approaches. American Airlines offers a multi-class experience, while Southwest sticks with a single-class cabin.
American Airlines’ Multi-Class Experience
American Airlines offers a tiered experience, with cabin classes ranging from economy to Main Cabin Extra, Premium Economy, business, and first class. Each class offers its own set of amenities. Depending on your ticket, you might be offered complimentary snacks, meals, and alcoholic drinks. On some international flights, you may even be offered pajamas and amenity kits.
However, the service quality on American Airlines can sometimes be inconsistent. What you experience on one flight might not be what you get on the next, even if you’re in the same cabin class.
Southwest Airlines’ Single-Class Experience
Southwest Airlines keeps things simple with a single-class economy cabin. All passengers receive complimentary snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. If you’d like something stronger or a more substantial meal, alcohol and food options are available for purchase.
For years, Southwest has been known for its open-seating policy. But that’s about to change. Sometime in 2026, Southwest will begin assigning seats. They’ll also be introducing extra-legroom seats, which will likely come at an additional cost. This will bring Southwest more in line with the seating policies of other major airlines.
Credit Card Offerings: Rewards and Benefits
Both American and Southwest offer co-branded credit cards that can sweeten the deal for frequent flyers. Here’s how their offerings stack up:
American Airlines’ Extensive Credit Card Portfolio
If you’re looking for options, American Airlines has you covered. They offer a whopping 11 different co-branded credit cards, each with its own set of perks.
Cardholder benefits can include things like priority check-in, upgraded boarding privileges, and mileage bonuses on purchases. These perks can definitely enhance your travel experience, especially if you fly American often.
Keep in mind, though, that these cards can come with a hefty price tag. Annual fees can climb as high as $595, so you’ll want to make sure the benefits outweigh the cost for your particular travel habits.
Southwest Airlines’ Credit Card Options
Southwest takes a more streamlined approach, offering fewer credit card choices. You’ll find three personal and two business card options.
Like American, Southwest cards offer benefits like early check-in and upgraded boarding. But one of the most coveted perks is the ability to qualify for a Companion Pass, which lets a designated companion fly with you for free (you just pay taxes and fees).
The good news is that Southwest’s credit cards typically have lower annual fees, topping out around $149. This makes them a more accessible option for travelers who want to earn rewards without breaking the bank.
A look at their pasts and presents
To understand the differences between American and Southwest, it’s helpful to know where they came from and how they’ve grown into the airlines they are today.
American Airlines: Building a hub-and-spoke empire
American Airlines has been around since the 1930s, pieced together from a collection of smaller airlines. Over the decades, it grew into a global giant, known for its extensive network and international reach. A key part of American’s strategy was the “hub-and-spoke” model. Think of it like a bicycle wheel: major airports (the hubs) act as central connecting points, with flights radiating out to smaller destinations (the spokes). This allows them to efficiently connect passengers from all over the world.
Southwest Airlines: Keeping it simple, keeping it cheap
Southwest took a different path. Starting in the early 1970s, they focused on offering low fares and friendly service. Southwest’s founder Herb Kelleher had a unique vision for the airline, and their employees seem to have bought into it. Instead of the hub-and-spoke system, Southwest uses a “point-to-point” network. This means they fly directly between cities, often bypassing major hubs. This helps them keep costs down and offer more frequent flights on popular routes. Southwest has always been known for its quirky personality and commitment to making flying affordable for everyone.
Seats, snacks, and streaming: Comparing the in-flight experience
Let’s take a closer look at what it’s like to be a passenger on American Airlines versus Southwest.
American Airlines: Seats, snacks, and screens
American offers a range of seating options, from basic economy to first class. Legroom and seat width vary quite a bit depending on the type of plane and your ticket class. On some longer flights, you might find lie-flat seats in business or first class.
Food and beverage options also depend on your class of service and how long you’re in the air. You can typically purchase meals on longer flights, and complimentary beverages are usually offered, though that might be limited to water, juice, and soda in the main cabin. First-class passengers usually enjoy complimentary meals and alcoholic beverages.
American provides a decent selection of in-flight entertainment, including movies, TV shows, and, for a fee, Wi-Fi. You can usually stream to your own device.
Southwest Airlines: Seats, snacks, and streaming
Southwest keeps it simple with a standard seating configuration across its fleet. You won’t find different classes of service, so legroom is fairly consistent, although it can feel a little tight.
Southwest provides complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to all passengers. Think pretzels, peanuts, and maybe some cookies, depending on the flight length. You can purchase alcoholic beverages.
Southwest offers in-flight entertainment via streaming to your own device. They typically have a selection of on-demand movies and TV shows, and you can purchase Wi-Fi for browsing or streaming your own content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airline is the best in the USA?
Ah, the million-dollar question! “Best” is subjective, right? It depends on what you value. Are you all about legroom? Punctuality? Price? Customer service? Some consistently rank high in certain categories, but there’s no one-size-fits-all “best” airline. I recommend checking out recent airline rankings and reading customer reviews to see which airline aligns best with your priorities.
Are American Airlines seats bigger than Southwest?
Generally, no. Southwest is known for its slightly more generous legroom in standard economy compared to American Airlines. But, exact seat dimensions can vary depending on the aircraft type, so it’s always a good idea to check the specific aircraft for your flight on SeatGuru or a similar site if seat size is a major concern. First class seats, of course, are a different story!
Is Southwest bigger than American Airlines?
In terms of fleet size, American Airlines is significantly larger than Southwest. American also serves more destinations, especially internationally. However, Southwest is a major player domestically and often carries a comparable number of passengers within the United States. So, while American is the bigger overall operation, Southwest still holds a significant chunk of the market.
To Conclude
American Airlines and Southwest Airlines offer very different travel experiences. American Airlines gives you a wide range of destinations, including international locations, and the option to select different cabin classes with varying levels of amenities.
Southwest Airlines, on the other hand, focuses on domestic travel with a budget-friendly approach and a reputation for excellent customer service.
So, which airline is right for you? If you value amenities, want to fly internationally, and appreciate having lots of flight options, American Airlines might be a good fit. But if you’re looking for low fares, the ability to check bags for free, and a more relaxed travel experience, Southwest Airlines could be a better choice.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to research the specific airline and credit card offerings that align with your individual needs and travel preferences. That way, you can be sure you’re getting the most value for your money and enjoying a travel experience that suits you.