Dallas, TX – May 28, 2025

Southwest Airlines, long celebrated for its customer-friendly “Two Bags Fly Free” policy, has officially ended its decades-long practice of offering free checked baggage for all passengers. As of May 28, 2025, the airline has introduced fees for checked bags on tickets booked on or after this date, aligning its policy with other major U.S. carriers. The move, announced in March 2025, is part of a broader overhaul of Southwest’s business model to boost revenue amid pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which acquired a $1.9 billion stake in the airline last year.

New Baggage Fee Structure

• First Checked Bag: $35
• Second Checked Bag: $45
• Additional Bags (Third and Beyond): $150 per bag
• Overweight Bags:
  • 51–70 pounds: $150 per bag
  • 71–100 pounds: $200 per bag
• Oversized Bags (63–80 linear inches): $200 per bag
• Combined Oversized and Overweight: $200 per bag (regardless of weight, up to 100 pounds)
• Bags Exceeding Limits: Items over 100 pounds or 80 linear inches are not accepted.

These fees apply to Southwest’s new Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, and Anytime fare classes for tickets booked on or after May 28, 2025. Tickets purchased before this date retain the two-free-checked-bags policy, subject to standard size and weight limits (50 pounds and 62 linear inches).

Exemptions and Perks

Certain passengers remain exempt from these fees:

• Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select Fare Passengers: Two free checked bags.
• Rapid Rewards A-List Members and Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cardholders: One free checked bag (cardholders must include their Rapid Rewards number in the reservation and allow up to 14 days for account updates).
• Active-Duty Military: Exempt from the two-bag limit and overweight/oversized fees for bags up to 100 pounds and 80 linear inches, with a valid military ID.
• Special Items: Strollers, car seats, and assistive/mobility devices are checked free of charge. A breast pump or breast milk bag is also allowed without counting toward carry-on limits.

Carry-On Policy

Southwest’s carry-on policy remains unchanged, allowing one carry-on bag (24 x 16 x 10 inches, including handles and wheels) and one personal item (e.g., purse, briefcase, laptop bag) at no cost. These must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat.

Special Luggage and Sporting Equipment

Sporting equipment, such as skis, snowboards, golf bags, and surfboards, counts as one checked bag if within size and weight limits. For interisland Hawaii travel, two bags (including surfboards) fly free for Hawaii residents with a valid U.S. Postal Hawaii mailing address. Oversized or overweight equipment incurs fees as outlined above, but oversized fees are waived for listed sporting items.

Additional Changes and Customer Reaction

The baggage fee introduction coincides with other significant changes at Southwest, including the end of its open-seating policy in 2026, the launch of a Basic economy fare class, and a new flight credit policy with expirations (six months for Basic fares, one year for others). The airline anticipates $1–$1.5 billion in annual revenue from baggage fees but risks losing $1.8 billion in market share from loyal customers, according to a September 2024 investor presentation.

Customer sentiment on X has been largely negative, with users like @SymoneBeez lamenting, “Southwest flights are $400 and now they are charging for bags lol that’s nuts,” and @_ZachGriff declaring, “The Southwest of yesteryear is dead.” Others, like @ScottHevel, attributed the change to “private equity ruining something good.” However, CEO Bob Jordan stated on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street on April 24, 2025, that booking trends have not declined since the March announcement.

Operational Adjustments

Southwest is preparing for an expected increase in carry-on luggage by equipping gate agents with mobile bag-tag printers and retrofitting Boeing 737-800s and Max aircraft with larger overhead bins. Despite the backlash, the airline is aligning its fees with competitors like Delta, American, and United, which charge $35–$40 for the first checked bag and $45–$50 for the second.

Tips to Avoid Fees

• Book Before May 28, 2025: Secure two free checked bags for flights booked prior to the policy change.
• Use a Southwest Credit Card: Cardholders get one free checked bag.
• Achieve Elite Status: A-List and A-List Preferred members receive one or two free checked bags, respectively.
• Prepay with Travel Credits: Cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card from American Express offer annual travel credits that can cover baggage fees.
• Ship Luggage: Services like LugLess offer luggage shipping for as low as $20, potentially cheaper than airline fees.

Southwest’s shift marks the end of a unique perk that defined its brand for over 50 years, prompting travelers to reassess their loyalty as the airline adapts to industry trends and financial pressures.