Flying with Southwest Airlines is known for its relatively generous baggage policy, especially with two free checked bags. However, understanding their carry-on rules is crucial to avoid unexpected gate-checking or fees. So, let's dive deep into how big a carry-on can be with Southwest Airlines and ensure your next journey is as smooth as possible!
The Ultimate Guide to Southwest Airlines Carry-On Dimensions
Are you ready to pack smart and breeze through security? Let's get started!
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| How Big Can A Carry On Be With Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Engage Your Inner Detective – Understanding the "Why" Behind the Rules
Before we even talk numbers, let's understand why airlines have these restrictions. It's not to make your life harder, we promise! The primary reasons are:
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Safety: Proper stowage of bags ensures they don't become projectiles during turbulence or emergency landings.
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Space Optimization: Aircraft cabins have limited overhead bin and under-seat space. Adhering to limits ensures everyone has a spot for their allowed items.
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Efficiency: Smooth boarding and deplaning rely on passengers being able to quickly and easily stow their bags. Oversized bags cause delays.
Knowing this "why" can help you be more mindful when packing and measuring!
Step 2: The Core Dimensions – Your Carry-On and Personal Item
Southwest Airlines allows one carry-on bag and one personal item per passenger, free of charge. This is a significant perk compared to many other airlines that charge for carry-ons!
Sub-heading 2.1: Your Primary Carry-On Bag
Tip: Read in a quiet space for focus.
This is the bag intended for the overhead bin.
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Dimensions: Your carry-on bag, including wheels and handles, must not exceed 24 inches (L) x 16 inches (W) x 10 inches (H).
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That's 61 cm (L) x 41 cm (W) x 28 cm (H) for those thinking in metric.
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Examples: This typically includes standard roller bags, small suitcases, or larger backpacks designed for carry-on travel.
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Fit Test: Remember, the bag must fit comfortably in the overhead compartment. If it's overstuffed or oddly shaped, even if technically within dimensions, it might not fit.
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Weight Limit: Southwest does not explicitly state a weight limit for carry-on bags, but you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin yourself. If you can't, you'll be asked to check it.
Sub-heading 2.2: Your Personal Item
This is the smaller item that goes under the seat in front of you.
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Dimensions: Your personal item should not exceed 18.5 inches (L) x 8.5 inches (W) x 13.5 inches (H).
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That's approximately 46.9 cm (L) x 21.6 cm (W) x 34.3 cm (H).
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Examples: Common personal items include purses (including crossbody bags), briefcases, laptop bags, small backpacks, camera bags, or even a pillow/blanket. Neck pillows do not count towards your personal item limit.
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Fit Test: It must fit completely under the seat in front of you without protruding into the aisle or your legroom.
Step 3: The Nitty-Gritty Details – Measuring and Exceptions
Now that you have the core numbers, let's look at some important nuances.
Sub-heading 3.1: The Art of Measuring Your Bag
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Include Everything: When measuring, always include all parts of your bag: the wheels, handles (even when retracted), and any external pockets or straps. These seemingly small additions can push you over the limit.
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Soft-Sided vs. Hard-Sided: While soft-sided bags might seem more forgiving, overpacking them can make them bulge beyond the allowed dimensions, making them harder to fit. Hard-sided cases are less flexible, so their stated dimensions are usually more accurate.
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Compression Straps: If your bag has compression straps, utilize them! They can help condense your bag and ensure it fits within the required space.
Sub-heading 3.2: Items That Don't Count Towards Your Limit
Southwest is quite accommodating with certain items that can be brought on board in addition to your carry-on and personal item:
Tip: Take notes for easier recall later.
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Outerwear: Coats, jackets, and wraps.
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Food: A reasonable amount of food in disposable packaging for consumption during the flight.
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Medical Devices: Assistive devices like wheelchairs, crutches, canes, and portable oxygen concentrators (POCs). Always check specific guidelines for medical equipment, especially those involving batteries.
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Child Restraints: A child restraint seat for a child with a reserved seat.
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Diaper Bags: A diaper bag is generally permitted in addition to your allowance when traveling with an infant or small child.
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Umbrellas or Walking Canes.
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Pet Carriers (with a caveat): If you're traveling with a pet, the pet carrier counts as either your personal item or your carry-on bag. You cannot bring a pet carrier plus a carry-on and a personal item.
Step 4: Special Circumstances – Pets, Instruments, and Gate Checking
Life isn't always standard luggage. Here's how Southwest handles some special situations.
Sub-heading 4.1: Traveling with Pets
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Carrier as Your Item: As mentioned, your pet carrier counts as either your personal item or your carry-on.
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Dimensions & Fit: The carrier must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. While Southwest doesn't provide specific dimensions for pet carriers, they emphasize it must be leak-proof and well-ventilated, and your pet must be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably inside. Soft-sided carriers are often recommended.
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Reservation Required: You must make a reservation for your pet in advance by calling Southwest, as there's a limit to the number of pets allowed per flight (usually 6).
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Cost: A pet fare applies.
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Restrictions: Pets are generally not allowed on international flights or flights to/from Hawaii.
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Sub-heading 4.2: Musical Instruments
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Carry-on Sizing: If your instrument (including its case) is within the standard carry-on dimensions (24" x 16" x 10"), you can bring it as your carry-on if there's space available.
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Larger Instruments (Overhead/Under Seat Fit): If it exceeds carry-on dimensions but will fit in an overhead bin or under a seat (and there's space), you might still be able to carry it on. However, this is at the discretion of the flight crew and subject to available space. Early boarding is highly recommended for larger instruments.
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Purchasing a Seat: For instruments too large for the overhead bin or under the seat, you can purchase a separate seat for it. Specific conditions apply (e.g., must be in the first row, window seat, secured with a seatbelt).
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Checked Baggage: If it can't be carried on or a seat isn't purchased, it must be checked. Standard baggage fees and potential oversize/overweight charges apply for larger instruments.
Sub-heading 4.3: The Dreaded Gate Check
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Why it Happens: If your carry-on bag exceeds the dimensions, if there's no overhead bin space available, or if you can't lift it yourself, Southwest agents may require you to "gate check" your bag.
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No Extra Charge (Usually): One of the best things about Southwest is that if your carry-on is gate-checked due to space limitations, you typically will not be charged a fee, unlike some other airlines. It will be tagged and placed in the cargo hold, and you'll retrieve it at baggage claim.
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What to Do: If your bag is gate-checked, make sure to remove any valuables, medications, or important documents before handing it over.
Step 5: Smart Packing Strategies – Maximize Your Space!
Now that you know the rules, let's optimize your packing.
Tip: Patience makes reading smoother.
Sub-heading 5.1: The Power of Rolling (or Folding!)
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Rolling: Tightly rolling clothes can save space and reduce wrinkles.
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Folding: For more structured items, precise folding can be effective. Experiment to see what works best for your clothing and bag.
Sub-heading 5.2: Utilize Packing Cubes
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These are game-changers. Packing cubes help compress your clothes, organize your bag, and make it easier to transfer items if you need to access something quickly or if your bag gets gate-checked.
Sub-heading 5.3: Wear Your Bulkiest Items
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If you're bringing a heavy coat, bulky boots, or a large sweater, wear them on the plane. This frees up valuable space and weight in your carry-on.
Sub-heading 5.4: The "Personal Item" Advantage
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Your personal item is not just for your laptop! Use it for essentials like a change of clothes, toiletries (following TSA liquid rules), medications, snacks, and entertainment. This acts as a backup in case your main carry-on is gate-checked.
Sub-heading 5.5: Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols (TSA 3-1-1 Rule)
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This rule applies to all airlines departing from U.S. airports, including Southwest.
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Containers: Each liquid, gel, or aerosol container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less.
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Bag: All containers must fit into one quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag.
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Placement: This bag should be easily accessible in your carry-on, as you'll need to remove it for separate screening at security.
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Exemptions: Medications, infant formula, and breast milk are generally exempt from the 3-1-1 rule but should be declared to TSA officers.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Tip: Focus on sections most relevant to you.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Southwest Airlines carry-on policy, with quick answers:
How to find the exact dimensions of my bag?
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Use a measuring tape and measure the length, width, and height of your bag, including any wheels and handles. Many luggage manufacturers also list the dimensions in the product specifications.
How to know if my bag will fit in the overhead bin?
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If your bag is within Southwest's stated dimensions (24" x 16" x 10"), it should fit. However, if it's overstuffed, it might be a tight squeeze. Consider practicing fitting it into an airline sizer at home or at the airport before your flight.
How to pack liquids for my Southwest carry-on?
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Follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule: containers must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less, fit in one quart-sized clear plastic bag, and be removed from your carry-on for screening.
How to avoid gate-checking my carry-on on Southwest?
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Adhere strictly to the dimension limits, pack efficiently, and try to board in an earlier group if possible (e.g., A group) to secure overhead bin space.
How to travel with a musical instrument on Southwest?
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Small instruments within carry-on dimensions can be carried on. Larger ones might fit in the overhead or under a seat if space allows. You can also purchase a separate seat for very large instruments or check them as baggage.
How to bring a pet in the cabin on Southwest?
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Book your pet's reservation in advance by calling Southwest. Your pet carrier will count as either your carry-on or personal item, and it must fit under the seat in front of you. A pet fare applies.
How to handle carry-on luggage if I have a connecting flight with a partner airline?
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Southwest does not have partner airlines for connecting flights in the same way traditional airlines do. If you have separate tickets, you'll need to re-check your bags and go through security again. Always check the baggage policies of each airline you're flying with.
How to bring a child's car seat on Southwest?
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A child restraint seat is permitted in addition to your carry-on and personal item if your child has a reserved seat and the seat meets FAA approval for aircraft use.
How to measure "linear inches" for baggage?
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Linear inches are the sum of the length, width, and height of your bag. For example, a bag that is 24" (L) + 16" (W) + 10" (H) has 50 linear inches.
How to check if carry-on rules have changed?
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Always check the official Southwest Airlines website (Southwest.com) directly before your travel date, as policies can occasionally be updated. This guide is current as of July 2025.
By following these guidelines and understanding Southwest's policies, you're well on your way to a hassle-free travel experience. Happy flying!
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