All You Ever Wanted to Know About the Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy

 Travel is learning to pack—and how much it will cost you. For decades, Southwest Airlines has differentiated itself from the other major carriers in America with its legendary guarantee: "Bags Fly Free". Under this promise, customers could check two bags, free of charge. Surprisingly enough, in 2025, Southwest Airlines ceased this long-standing privilege. The freshly introduced Southwest Airlines baggage policy implies that checked baggage will be charged, thus aligning with industry standards. If you're thinking of flying Southwest; and have travel plans in 2025 or later, here are some interesting facts you might want to know about the policy and its application, as well as ways you could save yourself some charges. 

  

Southwest Airlines Begins Charging for Checked Bags 

Since May 28, 2025, Southwest Airlines began charging for checked luggage on new bookings. The airline, once renowned for two free-checked bags per passenger, now will charge $35 as a first-checked bag fee and $45 for the second bag. Every additional bag after the second will be $75. In case an overweight bag weighs between 51 and 100 pounds or an oversized bag whose overall dimensions are 63 to 80 inches (width + length + height), there is an extra $200 charge paid by the passengers. The airline no longer accepts bags whose overall dimensions are more than 80 inches. 

Those changes impact all reservations booked on or after May 28, without regard to travel dates. What that does mean is if you're going to be flying late 2025 or 2026, but booked your flight post-cut-off date, you'll be under the new fee system. Planners who booked flights pre-May 28 will remain to get the standard two free checked bags, and they'll still have some sort of planner loyalty rewards. 

  

Carry-Ons Remain Free 

Despite check bag policy change, Southwest's policy for carry-ons remains unchanged. Customers are still permitted one carry-on bag and one personal item on board without any additional charge. Your carry-on needs to be of the biggest size 10 x 16 x 24 inches, and your personal items such as a pack, laptop bag, or bag should fit under the seat in front of you. Your bag does not weigh a limit as long as you are able to handle and fit your bag in the overhead bin safely. 

Additionally, Southwest still allows passengers to carry some other items with them for free. These are umbrellas, coats or jackets, in-flight food, and mobility aids. Musical instruments are fine, but they should be stowed in a cabin stowage bin. Bigger instruments can take an additional seat. 

  

Free Items for Families and Special Needs Passengers 

Even as they charge for checked bags on most cases, Southwest also admits some items for free check-in. Children's car seats and infant strollers along with family groups of customers can be checked at no cost, either at the ticket counter or gate. Wheelchair users as well as those using mobility aids will not be charged. In addition, all medical gear one would need, including breast pumps and oxygen concentrators, are also exempt from fees and size restrictions for checked bags. Nevertheless, all travelers must be made aware that some large strollers or equivalents over 62 inches in overall dimensions now cost up to $150. Who Still Gets Free Checked Bags? 

  

Everybody Doesn't Get Hurt. 

 Not everyone who travels by air will be affected by Southwest's baggage fee adjustment.Business Select ticket customers or A-List Preferred members can also get two bag checks. Ordinary A-List members and Rapid Rewards credit card owners get single-bag free checking in the new policy. For these travelers, being a repeat customer with Southwest can mean huge savings on baggage fees, particularly for families who travel with multiple items of luggage or heavy fliers with numerous bags.  

 

How to Avoid Baggage Fee Payments 

 Following the removal of free checked bags for every traveler, passengers need to anticipate and prepare in advance in an effort to keep additional expenses as minimal as possible. 

An example of a good strategy for not paying fees is to fly light and carry on bags wherever feasible. Even when the flight is for the future, two bags are free to check if the tickets have been reserved prior to 28th May 2025. It also benefits frequent flyers of Southwest who can upgrade their fare category to one that has baggage checked or obtain a Rapid Rewards credit card and earn a free baggage allowance. Anything heavy, such as golf clubs or musical instruments, or any other sports equipment, should be wrapped individually within smaller items that can fit into weight and size restrictions. You can even weigh your bags ahead of time at home to avoid unwanted surprises concerning overweight baggage charges. 

 

Oversized and Overweight Bag Restrictions 

 Being aware of oversized and overweight bag restrictions is another measure to prevent unexpected costs.Any bag over 50 pounds or a combined size of over 62 inches is overweight or oversized. These bags incur an extra fee of $200 per piece. Southwest does not allow any bag over a combined total of 80 inches. Those who bring products like bicycles, surfboards, or tools for equipment are requested to call the airline ahead of time and check if such products can be checked and how much they would cost.  

 

Why Did Southwest Change Its Baggage Policy? 

 Southwest changing its baggage policy was because of economic necessity and a shift in business strategy.The firm has been under increasing pressure from investors to streamline its revenue model, and while Southwest used to establish itself on a no-fee identity in a bid to stand out, increased competition and investor pressure led the airline to consider reviewing its no-fee practices. While U.S. carriers collectively earned more than $7 billion a year from bag fees, Southwest was one of the last carriers not capitalizing on this source of revenue. The airline's move to a bag-charge model is one aspect of a larger trend toward embracing industry norms, including pending changes such as reserved seating and new fare buckets. 

 

 Customer Reactions and What's Coming Next 

 Its removal has provoked angry responses from frequent Southwest flyers.Just as irritated passengers took to social media, claiming that the policy was taking away what differentiated Southwest from other airlines, others even canceled their Rapid Rewards credit cards or switched airlines. In spite of the backlash, however, Southwest is going ahead with its plan to change its service model. At the start of 2026, the airline will offer assigned seating and four different fare categories including Basic, Choice, Extra, and Premium.

 

Final Thoughts 

 The transition to a new Southwest Airlines baggage policy marks the dawn of an end of an era for one of the last holdouts among U.S. free-checked-bag carriers.Although most passengers will be shelling out more money for their bags nowadays, plan, frequent flyer points users, and efficient packers can save.Travelling with Southwest from 2025 onwards means checking the airline's updated baggage policy before making flight reservations. Familiarizing yourself with the policy saves you money and helps ensure smooth travel on a regular basis or just for the occasional trip.