Last Updated: 04/05/2024 11:38AM ET
On April 18, 2023, Southwest Airlines grounded all flights nationwide due to technical issues.
This marks the second major travel disruption for Southwest in the past four months. Previously, between December 24, 2022 and January 2, 2023, an ongoing travel disruption resulted in thousands of delayed and canceled flights.
Many travel insurance policies offer Travel Delay and Missed Connection benefits in the event of “any delay of a common carrier”. In this case, travelers whose trips were significantly delayed due to Southwest’s issues may be covered by their travel insurance policy if the delay meets the policy’s minimum delay requirement, which is typically 3-12 hours, depending on the policy. In order for coverage to be available, the traveler must have purchased their policy prior to April 18, 2023.
In addition, if Southwest didn’t deliver the traveler’s checked luggage to their destination within the delay period, the Baggage Delay benefit can reimburse travelers for the purchase of clothing, toiletries, and other essentials.
While the grounding of flights on April 18 has delayed thousands of flights, few flights have been canceled outright. Travelers who experience outright flight cancellations can contact Southwest directly to request a refund.
The Southwest Travel Disruption Travel Insurance Information Center includes advice for travelers and answers to our most commonly asked questions about the delays. This information is subject to change. Squaremouth’s experts will continue to update this information as the situation evolves.
Questions? Squaremouth’s travel insurance experts are on hand to answer your questions about coverage relating to the Southwest travel disruption. We are available from 8am to 10pm ET daily by chat and by phone at 1-800-240-0369.
Southwest Airlines delayed thousands of flights on April 18, 2023 due to technical issues. This is the second major travel disruption for Southwest Airlines in that past four months.
Within many travel insurance policies, the Travel Delay and Missed Connection benefits can cover any delay of a common carrier.
If you are traveling and have experienced delays due to the Southwest travel disruption, Squaremouth's experts are available to answer your questions. If you already have a policy, contact your provider's 24-Hour Emergency Assistance for help.