Southwest Airlines Now Charges for Checked Bags Under New 2025 Policy

Southwest Airlines has officially ended its long-standing "Two Bags Fly Free" era for most passengers. For decades, the carrier was the lone holdout among major U.S. airlines, allowing every passenger to check two bags at no cost. However, as of May 28, 2025, a new fee structure has been implemented that introduces charges for checked luggage on its most popular fare classes.

If you are booking a flight today, the answer to whether Southwest charges for bags depends heavily on your fare type, elite status, and the date your ticket was issued. Passengers flying on Basic, Choice, or Choice Preferred fares now expect to pay $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for the second.

The New Fee Structure for 2025

The transition away from universal free bags represents one of the most significant shifts in Southwest’s brand history. To understand how much you will pay, you must look closely at the "fare bucket" selected during the checkout process.

Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred Fares

For the majority of travelers, these three fare categories are the standard options. Under the policy effective May 28, 2025, these fares no longer include complimentary checked luggage.

• First Checked Bag: $35 per direction.
• Second Checked Bag: $45 per direction.
• Total for Two Bags: $80 per one-way trip, or $160 for a round trip.

It is important to note that these fees apply per bag, per direction. If you have a connection, you do not pay twice, but if you are flying a round-trip itinerary, the fees are collected at each departure airport.

Business Select and Choice Extra Fares

Southwest has maintained free baggage allowances for its premium and "plus" fare tiers to incentivize upselling. If you purchase a Business Select or Choice Extra ticket, the traditional "Two Bags Fly Free" rule still applies.

• First Checked Bag: Free.
• Second Checked Bag: Free.

When choosing between a Choice fare and a Choice Extra fare, travelers should calculate the price difference. If the Choice Extra fare is less than $35–$45 more expensive than the Choice fare, it often makes more sense to upgrade to the higher tier, which also includes better boarding positions and more Rapid Rewards points.

Who is Exempt from Southwest Bag Fees?

Despite the broad rollout of luggage charges, several groups of travelers remain eligible for free checked bags regardless of the fare they purchase. This is where loyalty and specific affiliations provide significant financial value.

Rapid Rewards Elite Members

Southwest’s frequent flyer program, Rapid Rewards, now serves as a primary tool for avoiding these new costs.

• A-List Preferred Members: These top-tier elites receive two free checked bags on every flight. Furthermore, this benefit extends to up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation. This makes A-List Preferred status incredibly valuable for families.
• A-List Members: Standard A-List members receive their first checked bag for free. For the second bag, they are often eligible for a discounted rate (typically $35 instead of the standard $45), though policies for the second bag can vary based on specific promotional windows.

Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers

For many casual travelers, the easiest way to bypass the new $35 fee is by holding a qualifying Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card.

Cardholders of the Priority, Premier, or Plus consumer cards receive their first checked bag for free. Similar to elite status, this perk often extends to companions on the same reservation, provided the primary cardholder’s Rapid Rewards number is attached to the booking at the time of purchase. In our analysis of travel costs, the annual fee on these cards is often offset after just two or three round-trip flights if you typically check a bag.

Active-Duty Military Personnel

Southwest continues to support members of the military. Active-duty personnel with valid military ID are exempt from checked bag fees. They are typically permitted to check up to five bags for free when traveling on official orders and up to three bags for free for personal travel, provided the bags meet weight and size limitations.

Carry-On and Personal Item Rules

One area where Southwest has remained consistent is its carry-on policy. Unlike "Basic Economy" fares on other major carriers that sometimes restrict overhead bin access, Southwest still allows all passengers to bring items into the cabin for free.

Carry-On Bag Dimensions

Each passenger is permitted one carry-on bag that must fit in the overhead bin.

• Maximum Dimensions: 24" (L) x 16" (W) x 10" (H).
• Weight Limit: There is no official weight limit for carry-on bags, but the passenger must be able to lift the bag into the overhead bin without assistance from flight attendants.

Personal Item Dimensions

In addition to a carry-on, you are allowed one personal item (such as a purse, laptop bag, or small backpack).

• Maximum Dimensions: 16.25" (L) x 13.5" (W) x 8" (H).
• Storage: This item must fit completely under the seat in front of you.

In our experience, Southwest’s overhead bins on the Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft are quite spacious, but on full flights, late-boarding passengers (those in the C-group) may still be asked to gate-check their carry-on bags. Gate-checked carry-on bags are processed free of charge and are usually returned at the baggage claim of the final destination.

Hawaii Inter-Island Baggage Specifics

Travel within the Hawaiian Islands has a unique fee structure, specifically designed to accommodate local residents while capturing revenue from the high volume of tourists.

Hawaii Residents

If you are a resident of Hawaii flying between islands (e.g., Honolulu to Maui), you still enjoy two free checked bags. To qualify, your Rapid Rewards account must have a verified Hawaii address, and you must be logged in during the booking process.

Non-Hawaii Residents

Tourists or visitors flying inter-island routes face reduced but present fees:

• First Checked Bag: $15.
• Second Checked Bag: $20.
• Third Checked Bag: $50.

These lower rates are a competitive response to local carriers, but they still represent an added cost for island-hopping travelers who were used to the previous "free" policy.

Overweight and Oversized Luggage Penalties

Even if you have a fare or status that grants free bags, you are not exempt from penalties if those bags exceed standard limits. Southwest defines a standard bag as weighing 50 pounds or less and measuring 62 linear inches (Length + Width + Height) or less.

Weight-Based Fees

If your bag exceeds 50 pounds, the following surcharges apply in addition to any base bag fee:

• 51 to 70 lbs: $100 per bag.
• 71 to 100 lbs: $200 per bag.
• Over 100 lbs: Not accepted; must be shipped via Southwest Cargo.

Size-Based Fees

Bags larger than 62 linear inches but not more than 80 inches incur a $200 fee. If a bag is both oversized and overweight, Southwest typically only charges one of the high-tier fees ($200) rather than stacking them, but this is at the discretion of the gate agent and current tariff rules.

Special Items and Sports Equipment

Southwest has long been a favorite for skiers, golfers, and musicians because of its lenient "special item" policies. While the base fee of $35 now applies to these items if they are your first checked bag, the airline is often more forgiving with dimensions.

Sporting Goods

• Golf Bags and Skis: Usually count as one checked bag. Southwest often waives the "oversized" fee for these items, though weight limits (50 lbs) still apply.
• Surfboards: On flights within Hawaii or to certain international destinations, surfboards may be subject to specific handling fees, though they are often included in the standard bag count for a flat fee.

Musical Instruments

A musical instrument can be checked as a bag or brought as a carry-on if it fits in the overhead bin. If it is checked, it follows the $35/$45 fee schedule but may incur the $200 oversized fee if it exceeds 62 linear inches. We recommend using a flight-certified hard case, as Southwest’s liability for fragile items is limited unless additional valuation is purchased.

Strategies for Avoiding New Southwest Bag Fees

Navigating the 2025 policy requires more planning than in previous years. Here are the most effective ways to keep your travel costs low:

1. Check Your Booking Date: If you booked your flight before May 28, 2025, and have not changed your itinerary, you are grandfathered into the old policy. You still get two free checked bags. Do not let a kiosk agent charge you; show your original confirmation email.
2. The "Choice Extra" Calculation: Before paying $35 for a bag, look at the cost to move from a Choice fare to Choice Extra. Often, the difference is $40. For an extra $5 over the bag fee, you get two free bags, better boarding, and significantly more points.
3. Utilize the Southwest Credit Card: Even the $99-annual-fee Plus card pays for itself if you and a companion take just two round-trip flights per year ($35 x 2 people x 2 ways = $140 in saved fees).
4. Ship Ahead for Heavy Items: With the $200 overweight fee being so steep, using a third-party shipping service for items over 70 lbs can actually be cheaper and more convenient.
5. Pack Light for the Carry-On: Since carry-ons remain free, investing in a high-quality 24" x 16" x 10" roller bag can save you $70 per round trip.

Summary of the 2025 Policy Change

The shift at Southwest reflects a broader trend in the airline industry toward unbundled pricing. By charging for bags on lower fares, Southwest can keep its "base" prices competitive with ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit or Frontier while maintaining its premium services for loyalists and high-fare payers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I change my flight?

If you change a flight that was originally booked before May 28, 2025, the new transaction date applies. This means you will likely lose your "grandfathered" free bag status and be subject to the $35/$45 fees.

Does the fee apply to International flights?

Yes. The $35/$45 fee structure applies to all Southwest routes, including those to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, unless you hold a fare class or status that provides an exemption.

Can I pay for my bags in advance?

Southwest encourages passengers to pay for bags during the online check-in process (starting 24 hours before departure) or via the mobile app. While there is currently no "pre-pay discount" compared to airport prices, it saves significant time at the self-service kiosks.

Do lap infants get a bag allowance?

Lap infants do not receive a checked bag allowance. However, strollers and car seats are still checked free of charge for any passenger traveling with a child, regardless of the fare type.

What if my bag is lost or damaged under the new fee system?

The introduction of fees does not change Southwest’s liability under Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. If you paid a $35 fee and your bag is lost, you are entitled to a refund of that bag fee in addition to compensation for the contents.

Is the "Two Bags Fly Free" slogan completely gone?

While it is no longer the universal standard, Southwest still uses the phrasing in marketing for Choice Extra and Business Select fares. However, the "everyone gets two free bags" promise is officially retired.

Will Southwest introduce "Basic Economy" with no carry-on?

As of late 2025, Southwest has maintained that it will not restrict carry-on bags. The airline’s leadership has emphasized that overhead bin access is a core part of their service model, even as they move toward assigned seating and baggage fees.

Conclusion

The new baggage policy at Southwest Airlines marks the end of an era for budget-conscious travelers who relied on the "no-fee" model. By introducing a $35 fee for the first bag and $45 for the second on most fares, Southwest has aligned itself with the pricing strategies of Delta, United, and American. To navigate these changes effectively, travelers should prioritize Choice Extra fares, consider the Rapid Rewards credit card, or leverage A-List status to maintain the level of value they have come to expect from the carrier. Always double-check your fare rules before heading to the airport to avoid unexpected costs at the terminal.