Southwest Airlines started charging for checked bags on flights booked on or after May 28, 2025. The fees are $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second checked bag. This marks the end of their longtime policy of allowing two free checked bags per passenger. However, there are exceptions and exemptions:
- Passengers with Business Select or Choice Extra fares still get two free checked bags.
- Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members also get two free checked bags.
- Rapid Rewards A-List members and holders of the Southwest Airlines co-branded credit card get the first checked bag free.
- Active-duty military customers get free checked bags.
For tickets booked before May 28, 2025, the two free checked bags policy still applies. These changes apply to Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, and Anytime fares booked and ticketed on or after May 28, 2025. Additional fees apply for third or more bags, overweight or oversized bags. This shift ended Southwest's iconic "bags fly free" policy that lasted for about 60 years and aligned its baggage fee structure more with other U.S. airlines.
