Have you ever wondered what it's truly like to fly with Southwest Airlines and navigate their baggage policies? Perhaps you've heard whispers of their famous "Bags Fly Free" policy and are curious if it still holds true. Well, you're in the right place! Get ready to unravel the mystery of Southwest's baggage fees, understand the nuances, and discover how you can potentially save some cash on your next adventure.
Let's dive in and break down everything you need to know, step by step, so you can pack smart and travel stress-free!
The Shifting Landscape: Understanding Southwest's Baggage Policy
For years, Southwest Airlines was the beloved outlier, famous for its "Bags Fly Free" policy, allowing all passengers two complimentary checked bags. However, as of May 28, 2025, that policy has undergone a significant change for most travelers. This shift brings Southwest's baggage fees more in line with other major U.S. airlines. It's crucial to understand these changes to avoid surprises at the airport.
Step 1: Identify Your Fare Type and Status
The first and most critical step in determining your baggage fees is to understand what kind of ticket you've purchased and your loyalty status with Southwest. This is where the new policy truly makes a difference.
Sub-heading: Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus®, and Anytime Fares
If you booked or voluntarily changed your flight on or after May 28, 2025, and you hold a Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus®, or Anytime fare, you'll generally encounter checked bag fees. This applies to the vast majority of Southwest travelers now.
Your first checked bag will typically cost $35.
Your second checked bag will typically cost $45.
For a third checked bag or more, the fee jumps to a significant $150 per bag.
Sub-heading: Business Select® Fares
Good news for those opting for the premium experience! If you purchased a Business Select® fare, you still enjoy the benefit of two free checked bags. This is a key perk of this higher-tier fare.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred Members
Are you a frequent flyer with Southwest? If you've achieved Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred status, you're in luck! You also get to check both your first and second bags for free. This is a valuable benefit for loyal customers.
Sub-heading: Rapid Rewards® A-List Members and Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers
If you're a Rapid Rewards® A-List member or a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, you'll receive your first checked bag for free. This is still a great perk that can save you $35 per flight segment! Remember to link your Rapid Rewards account number to your reservation at the time of booking to ensure this benefit is applied.
Sub-heading: Active Duty Military Personnel
Southwest offers a fantastic benefit to active duty military personnel traveling on orders. You are generally exempt from checked, overweight, or oversized bag fees, provided your bags do not exceed 100 pounds and 80 inches. Be sure to present your valid military ID.
Step 2: Understand the Size and Weight Limits
Even if your bags are free, they still need to meet certain dimensions and weight requirements. Exceeding these limits will incur additional fees, regardless of your fare type or status.
Sub-heading: Standard Checked Bag Limits
For each checked bag, whether free or paid, the following standard limits apply:
Maximum Dimensions: Your bag must not exceed 62 linear inches (length + width + height). This includes handles and wheels.
Maximum Weight: Your bag must not exceed 50 pounds (23 kg).
Sub-heading: Overweight Baggage Fees
If your checked bag weighs more than the standard 50 pounds, you'll face an overweight baggage fee:
51 to 70 pounds: A fee of $100 per bag will be applied.
71 to 100 pounds: A fee of $200 per bag will be applied.
Bags exceeding 100 pounds are generally not accepted as checked baggage.
Sub-heading: Oversized Baggage Fees
If your checked bag's linear dimensions exceed 62 inches, you'll incur an oversized baggage fee:
63 to 80 linear inches: A fee of $200 per bag will be applied.
Bags exceeding 80 linear inches are generally not accepted as checked baggage.
Important Note: If a bag is both oversized and overweight, you'll generally only be charged the single, higher fee (e.g., $200 for 71-100 lbs or 63-80 linear inches), not a combination of both, as long as it does not exceed 100 lbs.
Step 3: Familiarize Yourself with Carry-on and Personal Item Policies
Southwest Airlines generally offers a generous carry-on policy that remains free for all passengers. This is a great way to save on checked bag fees if you can pack light!
Sub-heading: Carry-on Bag Allowance
Each ticketed passenger is allowed one carry-on bag for free. This bag should fit in the overhead bin.
Maximum Dimensions: 10 inches (H) x 16 inches (W) x 24 inches (L). This includes handles and wheels.
There is no specified weight restriction for carry-on items, but you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin yourself.
Sub-heading: Personal Item Allowance
In addition to your carry-on bag, you are also allowed one personal item for free. This item should fit under the seat in front of you.
Examples of personal items: Purse, briefcase, laptop bag, small backpack, camera bag, or a small pet carrier (which counts as your personal item or carry-on).
The dimensions for personal items are generally smaller and vary slightly, but they should be able to comfortably fit under the seat.
Sub-heading: Items That Don't Count Against Your Carry-on Limit
Certain items do not count towards your carry-on or personal item limit. These include:
Outer garments (coats, jackets)
Food for consumption during the flight in disposable packaging
Walking canes or umbrellas
Child restraint devices (car seats) for a ticketed child or if space is available
Assistive/mobility devices for individuals with disabilities
Step 4: Special Baggage and Sports Equipment
Traveling with unique items like sports equipment or musical instruments? Southwest has specific policies and potential fees for these.
Sub-heading: Sports Equipment
Most sports equipment can be checked as part of your standard checked baggage allowance, meaning if it falls within the weight and size limits, it may count as one of your free or paid checked bags. However, some items have specific rules and potential fees:
General Rule: If your sports equipment exceeds the standard 62 linear inches but is within 115 linear inches, the oversized fee may be waived, but overweight fees would still apply if applicable.
Specific Items (Examples):
Golf Bags: Count as one checked bag. Standard fees apply if exceeding allowances.
Skis/Snowboards: A pair of skis or a snowboard (plus boots and poles) counts as one checked bag. Oversized charges are often waived, but overweight charges may apply.
Bicycles: Will incur a fee and have specific packing requirements. They are often subject to oversized and overweight charges.
Surfboards: May also incur fees and have specific length restrictions, especially for international flights.
Always check Southwest's website for specific details on the equipment you plan to bring, as policies can vary.
Sub-heading: Musical Instruments
Musical instruments can be brought as a carry-on if they fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. If larger, you may need to purchase an additional seat for them, or check them as baggage.
If checked, they are subject to standard baggage fees, and if oversized or overweight, applicable fees will apply. It's always recommended to ensure instruments are properly cased and declared.
Step 5: Paying for Your Bags
Southwest does not allow you to prepay for checked baggage online. Baggage fees are paid at the airport:
At the Ticket Counter: You can pay for your checked bags when you check in at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter.
At the Self-Service Kiosks: Some airports may offer self-service kiosks where you can pay for checked baggage.
Remember to factor in extra time at the airport to handle baggage check-in and payment.
Step 6: Strategies to Potentially Avoid or Reduce Baggage Fees
While the "Bags Fly Free" policy is largely a thing of the past for most, there are still ways to minimize or avoid those pesky baggage fees:
Sub-heading: Get a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card
This is often the easiest and most accessible way for many travelers to get a free checked bag. Most Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards offer the primary cardmember one free checked bag, and this benefit often extends to up to eight additional companions on the same reservation! The annual fee for these cards can easily be offset by the baggage fee savings from just one round-trip flight.
Sub-heading: Achieve Rapid Rewards A-List or A-List Preferred Status
If you're a frequent Southwest flyer, earning elite status can grant you free checked bags:
A-List: One free checked bag.
A-List Preferred: Two free checked bags.
Sub-heading: Travel Light with Carry-on Only
This is the ultimate fee-avoidance strategy! If you can fit everything you need into one carry-on bag and one personal item, you'll pay nothing for baggage. Southwest's generous carry-on allowance makes this quite feasible for many trips.
Sub-heading: Consider Shipping Your Luggage
For longer trips or if you have a lot of gear, consider using a luggage shipping service. While not free, it can sometimes be more cost-effective than multiple oversized or overweight bag fees, and offers the convenience of not lugging bags through the airport.
Sub-heading: Active Duty Military Benefits
As mentioned, active duty military personnel enjoy waived baggage fees for up to two checked bags, including oversized and overweight, within certain limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 10 common questions about Southwest Airlines baggage fees, with quick answers:
How to calculate Southwest Airlines baggage fees?
To calculate, identify your fare type and Rapid Rewards status. For Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus®, and Anytime fares, it's $35 for the first checked bag, $45 for the second, and $150 for each additional bag. Business Select®, A-List Preferred members get two free bags, while A-List and Southwest Credit Cardmembers get one free.
How to check Southwest Airlines baggage size and weight limits?
Standard checked bags must be 62 linear inches (L+W+H) or less and weigh 50 lbs (23 kg) or less. Carry-on bags are 10" x 16" x 24" (H x W x L), and personal items must fit under the seat.
How to avoid Southwest Airlines baggage fees?
The best ways are to get a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card (for one free checked bag), achieve Rapid Rewards A-List or A-List Preferred status, or pack light and only bring a carry-on and personal item. Active duty military also get free bags.
How to pay for Southwest Airlines checked bags?
You pay for checked bags at the airport, either at the ticket counter or a self-service kiosk, when you check in for your flight. Prepayment online is not available.
How to transport sports equipment on Southwest Airlines?
Most sports equipment counts as a checked bag, and standard fees apply. Oversized fees may be waived for some items (e.g., skis up to 115 linear inches), but overweight fees will still apply. Always check specific item policies on Southwest's website.
How to bring a musical instrument on Southwest Airlines?
Small instruments can be carried on if they fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. Larger instruments may require purchasing an additional seat or checking them, incurring standard or oversized/overweight baggage fees.
How to know if my fare includes free checked bags on Southwest?
Only Business Select® fares include two free checked bags. Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus®, and Anytime fares generally incur fees for checked bags as of May 28, 2025.
How to get free checked bags as a Southwest Rapid Rewards member?
Rapid Rewards A-List members get one free checked bag, and A-List Preferred members get two free checked bags. Ensure your Rapid Rewards number is linked to your booking.
How to handle overweight or oversized baggage on Southwest Airlines?
Overweight bags (51-70 lbs) cost $100, and (71-100 lbs) cost $200. Oversized bags (63-80 linear inches) cost $200. If both, generally only the higher single fee applies. Bags over 100 lbs or 80 linear inches are usually not accepted.
How to check my pet on Southwest Airlines?
Pets can travel in the cabin in an approved carrier that counts as either your carry-on item or personal item. A one-way fee of $125 per pet carrier applies for domestic flights. Pets are not accepted as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
