Does Southwest compensate passengers for missed flights? Southwest Airlines, like many other airlines, may face flight delays as a result of poor weather, personnel concerns, or mechanical problems. You will get a text, call, or email informing you of the delay within 30 minutes of Southwest learning about one that is 30 minutes or longer. Southwest Airlines routinely compensates passengers for airline problems. Southwest offers the service based on the inconvenience it causes the consumer. Southwest Delay Compensation also provides LUV certificates with a 12-month validity period.