Navigating Baggage on Southwest Airlines: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide
Planning a trip with Southwest Airlines and wondering about your luggage? You've come to the right place! While Southwest was once famous for its "Bags Fly Free" policy, things have changed as of May 28, 2025. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about purchasing bags, understanding fees, and ensuring a smooth journey with your belongings on Southwest.
Step 1: Let's Start with Your Trip!
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of baggage policies, think about your upcoming flight.
Are you a frequent Southwest flyer?
Do you have a Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card?
What kind of fare did you book (or are you planning to book)?
Your answers to these questions will significantly impact your baggage costs and allowances. Keep them in mind as we proceed!
Step 2: Understanding the New Baggage Policy (Effective May 28, 2025)
The biggest change to be aware of is that Southwest Airlines no longer offers two free checked bags for all travelers. This policy shift, effective for flights booked or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, brings Southwest in line with most other major U.S. airlines.
Key Changes to Remember:
Most travelers will now pay for checked bags.
The fees are generally competitive with other airlines.
Certain fares and loyalty statuses still offer free checked bag benefits.
Step 3: Determining Your Baggage Allowance and Fees
This is where your fare type and loyalty status become crucial. Let's break down who gets what:
Sub-heading: Standard Checked Bag Fees (for Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus®, and Anytime Fares)
If your reservation was booked or voluntarily changed on or after May 28, 2025, and you have one of these fares, you'll generally incur the following charges per bag, per way:
First Checked Bag: $35
Second Checked Bag: $45
Third and More Checked Bags: $150 per bag
Important Note: These fees are for standard-sized and weighted bags (up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches). We'll cover overweight and oversized bags next.
Sub-heading: Who Still Gets Free Checked Bags?
Good news! Not everyone has to pay. Southwest still offers baggage perks for:
Business Select® Fares: Customers who purchase Business Select fares continue to receive two free checked bags.
Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred Members: These elite members enjoy their first and second checked bags for free.
Rapid Rewards® A-List Members: A-List members get their first checked bag for free.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers: Primary Credit Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation are eligible to receive their first standard checked bag free. Make sure your Rapid Rewards account number is included in your reservation.
Hawaii Residents: Travelers residing in Hawaii continue to receive two free checked bags when traveling between the islands.
Active Duty Military Personnel: If you are active duty military or on permanent change of station orders, you are generally exempt from the two-piece baggage limit and will not be subject to excess, oversized, or overweight baggage charges, provided your bags don't exceed 100 lbs or 80 inches in total dimensions.
Step 4: Measuring and Weighing Your Bags
To avoid unexpected fees, it's essential to know the size and weight limits for your bags.
Sub-heading: Standard Bag Dimensions and Weight
Checked Bags: Each checked piece of baggage must not exceed 50 lbs (22.7 kg) and 62 inches (length + width + height) in total linear dimensions.
Sub-heading: Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fees
If your bags exceed the standard limits, you'll face additional charges:
Overweight Bags (51-70 lbs): $100 per bag
Overweight Bags (71-100 lbs): $200 per bag
Oversized Bags (63-80 inches): $200 per bag
Note: If a bag is both overweight and oversized, only the single highest applicable fee will be charged, not both, as long as it doesn't exceed 100 lbs.
Southwest will not accept any checked baggage exceeding 100 lbs (45 kg) or 80 inches (203 cm) in linear dimensions, with some exceptions for special items like certain sports equipment.
Step 5: How to Purchase/Pay for Your Bags
Unlike many other airlines that allow you to prepay for bags online during booking or check-in, Southwest Airlines currently requires you to pay for checked bags at the airport.
Sub-heading: Payment Options at the Airport
You have a few convenient ways to pay for your bags:
Self-Tagging Kiosks: At airports where available, you can use self-service kiosks to check in your bags and pay any applicable fees. This can often save you time.
Southwest® Agent at the Ticket Counter: You can always approach a Southwest agent at the ticket counter to check your bags and pay the fees.
Curbside Check-in: At participating airports, you may be able to check your bags curbside and pay the fees there.
Sub-heading: When to Check Your Bags
For domestic flights, you should check your bags at least 60 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
For international flights, allow at least 60 minutes as well, though arriving earlier is always recommended for international travel.
Step 6: Carry-on and Personal Items
While checked bag policies have changed, Southwest's carry-on policy remains quite generous.
Sub-heading: Carry-on Allowance
Southwest allows one carry-on bag and one personal item per passenger, free of charge.
Carry-on Bag Dimensions: Your carry-on bag should not exceed 24 x 16 x 10 inches (approx. 61 x 40 x 25 cm). This bag should fit in the overhead bin.
Personal Item Dimensions: Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and should not exceed 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inches. This could be a purse, laptop bag, small backpack, or briefcase.
Sub-heading: Additional Carry-on Items (Exempt from Standard Allowance)
In addition to your carry-on and personal item, you can typically bring on board:
Outer garments (coats, jackets)
Umbrellas or walking canes
Food for consumption during the flight in disposable packaging
Assistive devices (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.)
Child restraint systems for a ticketed child or when space is available.
Step 7: Special Baggage and Sports Equipment
If you're traveling with unique items, be sure to check Southwest's specific policies.
Sub-heading: Sporting Equipment
Many sporting equipment items can be checked as part of your standard baggage allowance, but may incur oversized or overweight fees if they exceed the limits. Examples include:
Golf bags
Ski/snowboard equipment
Fishing equipment
Bicycles (often require specific packaging and fees)
Always check the Southwest website for detailed information on your specific equipment.
Sub-heading: Musical Instruments
Musical instruments can often be carried on if they fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. For larger instruments, you may need to purchase an additional seat for them, or check them as baggage, potentially incurring oversized/overweight fees.
Step 8: What About Online Bag Check-in?
As of now, Southwest does not offer an online self-service option to add and pay for checked bags when booking a flight or managing your trip online. You must handle checked bag payments at the airport. While this might change in the future, it's crucial to be aware of this current limitation.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to calculate the total linear dimensions of my bag?
To calculate the total linear dimensions, simply add the length, width, and height of your bag (L + W + H). For example, if your bag is 20 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 10 inches high, its linear dimensions are 20 + 12 + 10 = 42 inches.
How to know if my fare type includes free checked bags?
When you book your flight on Southwest.com, the fare details will clearly state the baggage allowance. Additionally, if you are an A-List, A-List Preferred, or Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember, your status typically grants you free checked bag benefits, which will be applied at the airport.
How to ensure my bags meet the weight and size limits?
Before heading to the airport, use a luggage scale to weigh your bags and a tape measure to check their dimensions. This proactive step can save you time and money at the airport.
How to pay for overweight or oversized bags?
Overweight or oversized bag fees are paid at the airport, either at the self-tagging kiosks or with a Southwest Agent at the ticket counter when you check your bags.
How to add a pet to my reservation on Southwest?
Southwest allows small domesticated cats and dogs to travel in the cabin on domestic flights for a fee. Space is limited, so you should make a reservation for your pet in advance by calling Southwest directly. Pet carriers count towards your carry-on allowance.
How to check in my bags at the airport?
You can check your bags at the airport using the self-tagging kiosks (where available) or by going to the Southwest Airlines ticket counter. Curbside check-in is also an option at many locations.
How to check if my Southwest flight was booked before May 28, 2025?
You can check your reservation details on Southwest.com or in the Southwest Airlines mobile app. The booking date will be clearly indicated. If your reservation was booked on or before May 27, 2025, and has not been voluntarily changed, you will still fall under the previous "Bags Fly Free" policy (for the first two bags).
How to check special items like car seats or strollers?
Southwest allows strollers and car seats to be checked at the curb, ticket counter, or gate free of charge, in addition to your regular baggage allowance.
How to avoid baggage fees on Southwest?
To avoid baggage fees on Southwest, consider booking a Business Select fare, achieving Rapid Rewards A-List or A-List Preferred status, or being a primary Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember. Alternatively, travel light with only a carry-on and personal item that fit within the free allowance.
How to find out the specific baggage policy for my international flight with Southwest?
For international flights, always check the Southwest Airlines official website's "Optional Travel Charges" or "Baggage" section, as policies can sometimes vary for specific international destinations. Additionally, be aware that flights booked with partner carriers may have different baggage guidelines.