Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal – San Diego Intl. Airport

Southwest Airlines operates at Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport. Being the primary hub, the Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal offers a range of facilities and amenities that cater to the passenger’s needs. The terminal is also equipped with experienced airline staff that offers timely assistance to the passengers and helps with the smooth transition.

Here is a detailed overview of all services and amenities available at Southwest Airlines San Diego International Airport Terminal, and other essential information required for a comfortable travel.

Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal – San Diego International Airport Overview (SAN)

Check this table below to get all the important information about Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal –

What Terminal is Southwest Airlines at San Diego International Airport?

Southwest Airlines uses Terminal 1 for all its departure and arrival operations. It features 47 boarding gates which are segregated into 4 levels for a streamlined boarding.

List of All Southwest Airlines Terminals.

SAN Southwest Airlines Departures Terminal

Southwest Airlines departs from Terminal 1 of San Diego International Airport. 

Passengers who wish to complete the check-in at the airport must arrive at least 2 hours before scheduled departure. 

Passengers who have completed online check-in must keep their e-boarding pass handy. If traveling with hand luggage, just go straight to the security check and proceed to board the flight.

Passengers traveling with checked luggage must submit the baggage to the luggage handling service. The baggage counter remains open up to 45 minutes before scheduled departure.

TSA screenings include detailed checks and may consume time. It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the flight.

Post security screening, the Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal hosts several shopping and dining outlets. In addition, there are plenty of relaxing chairs, free WiFi, and charging ports throughout the terminal that help you relax and stay connected before you prepare to board the flight. 

SAN Southwest Airlines Arrival Terminal

Southwest Airlines flights arrive at Terminal 1 of San Diego International Airport. 

Upon arrival, passengers can go straight to the baggage claim counter. You need to follow the signage for Southwest Airlines to navigate to the designated carousel to retrieve your checked luggage. 

International travelers have to go through immigration first before they recover their baggage. Keep your passport and other travel documents handy. Estimated time of clearance is 20-25 minutes per passenger. 

At the Arrival Halls, services such as ATMs, currency exchange counters, and dedicated car rental kiosks cater to your onward travel. 

Lost and Found Service at Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal

Passengers who have left an item on board can report it immediately at the Lost and Found office at Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal. The airline representative will make every effort to help locate the item and arrange a delivery for the passenger.

If you have left the airport you can file a report on Southwest Airlines’s website and furnish detailed information about the description of the baggage including serial number, brand, size, color, etc.

Delayed baggage

Passengers whose baggage didn’t arrive need to report lost baggage at Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal. The signage is available outside the Lost and Found counter with a QR code that you can scan to create a report.

Passengers who have already left the airport, create a report online.

For domestic itineraries, passengers must be notified about the delayed baggage 4 hours after the scheduled arrival of the flight.

For international flights, passengers must report for delayed baggage within 7 Calendar days from the date of scheduled arrival.

Damaged baggage

In case you have noticed severe damage, go to the Lost and Found counter and approach the airline’s executive. The airlines will check the severity of the damage and assess the compensation accordingly.

The airline does not offer compensation and is not responsible for the damage if –

• There’s an existing damage or defect with the suitcase
• General wear, tear, dents, and scratches
• If the luggage was overstuffed

Travel Services Offered at Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal

The airline offers plenty of last-minute services to upgrade your travel experience at Southwest Airlines San Diego International Airport Terminal. These services include –

• Early Bird Check-In – Passengers can avail of early bird check-in where passengers would be offered priority boarding and baggage handling.
• Rent a car – For onward passengers can book a car rental at SAN Southwest Airlines Arrivals Terminal and earn up to 4X points. 
• Upgrade to Business Select – Passengers can request a last-minute upgrade to Business Class where they get benefits like complimentary 2 checked bags, transferable flight credit, priority & express lanes, complimentary premium drink, and more. 
• Upgraded boarding – Passengers can pay an additional fee to upgrade their boarding position to get early access to the seats and overhead bins. 
• Extra seat  – Passengers of size purchase an additional seat for comfortable travel as the airline executive at Southwest Airlines San Diego International Airport Terminal will select two adjacent seats. If it is required that a third seat is needed, the airline will also accommodate passengers with complimentary additional seating. 
• Wheelchair assistance at the airport – Passengers with disabilities would offer wheelchair access from the curbs of Southwest Airlines San Diego International Airport Terminal until the boarding gate. The airline staff will also help passengers with boarding assistance.
• Military boarding – The airline invites active US Military members with priority boarding. Plus, no fee would assess for additional baggage allowance. Eligible members must present a valid United States Uniformed Services Active Duty Identification Card at the check-in counters. 

Flight Delay and Cancellations at Southwest Airlines Terminal SAN

For all significant flight delays at Southwest Airlines San Diego International Airport Terminal, the airline representative will rebook the flight, subject to availability, at no additional cost.

In the event of a flight cancelation last minute, the airline will automatically rebook passengers on another flight. If the airline sends an itinerary of your new flight via email or text it signifies that your new flight is confirmed and ticketed. 

If the new flight doesn’t suit you, you can have the option to change or cancel the flight.

• Change your delayed flight – If there is a flight delay of 3 hours or more, you can speak to the airline’s executive at SAN Southwest Airlines Terminal and request to change your flight to another time or date.
• Change your canceled flight – Passengers who have been affected by the voluntary flight cancelation by Southwest Airlines can change the date/time of the existing flight itinerary. Change for the canceled flight is permitted if the reservation is canceled within 14 days of scheduled departure. 
• Cancel your flight due to flight delay or canceled flight -Passengers can request the flight cancelation due to delay or airline-initiated flight cancelation and request a refund in the original method of payment or issue a travel credit for the value of the unused portion of the ticket. 

If Southwest Airlines cancels or delays the flight which is within their control, passengers are also eligible for the compensation in the form of a Southwest Airlines LUV Voucher.

Shopping/Dining Options at Southwest Airlines Terminal SAN

San Diego International Airport boasts penalty of shopping outlets and dining options. 

When it comes to shopping, the Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal is equipped with hundreds of stores ranging from duty-free outlets to fashion boutiques and from daily essentials to electronic gadgets.

The outlets are available pre-security as well as post security keeps passengers busy when they have to wait for long hours at the airport.

Services/Facilities at Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal

The service and facilities at any airport is meant to enhance the experience of passengers from all walks of life. Whether you’re a nursing mother, traveling with babies, or need special assistance at the airport, the Southwest Airlines SANver Airport Terminal is no different and caters to all your travel needs. These facilities include

SANver Airport Terminal Map Southwest Airlines

The map of Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal helps passengers identify key contact points like check-in, security check, ticket counter, baggage handling, and amenities available there.

This interactive map is best for new passengers who are arriving at the San Diego International Airport for the first time –

Contact Southwest Airlines SAN Terminal

Southwest Airlines passengers can reach the airline’s representative by phone who will offer assistance related to managing booking and other travel concerns. Passengers can also reach the executive via social media handles –

FAQs