As the holiday travel season approaches, Southwest Airlines is enhancing the airport experience with technologies designed to make travel on Southwest even more seamless.

The new amenities complement Southwest’s recent enhancements to its onboard experience and products.

TSA PreCheck® touchless ID expansion 

The airline is expanding its participation in TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID to Atlanta, New York LaGuardia, Portland, Seattle, and Salt Lake City after a successful pilot program launch at Denver last month. Southwest Customers who are Rapid Rewards® Members and are enrolled in TSA PreCheck®, along with holding a valid passport, may opt in to TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID on the Southwest app.

Digital bag check returns 

Additionally, Southwest is returning the ability to digitally check bags prior to arriving at the airport. After checking in for a flight, Customers can check and pay for up to three standard bags. Payment options include Apple Pay, PayPal, and credit cards.

Along with those technology innovations to enhance the Customer Experience, Southwest is continuing its longstanding commitment to Hospitality and industry-leading Customer service delivered by Employees who set us apart from the rest. 

Network nuances 

Long before the holiday season, Southwest’s Network Planning team began preparing  

The airline’s flight network is strategically and creatively designed the airline’s November 2025 schedule to match capacity with demand during the week of Thanksgiving.  

More than 4,400 flights are scheduled to operate on the Sunday following the holiday – the busiest travel day of Thanksgiving week – including 21 unique routes operating that day only.  

Additionally, Southwest is delaying the Extra Legroom retrofits of its 737-700 to January, keeping six additional seats available on each airplane to carry Customers to their holiday gatherings.