Bags are no longer getting a free ride on Southwest Airlines.
The carrier announced on March 11 that it will start charging passengers to check bags, ending a long-standing policy that allowed travelers to check two bags for free on each flight.
Southwest Airlines was the last holdout among major airline carriers to still allow passengers to check bags at no charge, to the point that “two bags fly free” is a registered trademark on Southwest’s website, according to CNBC.
The change reverses statements made just months ago by Southwest executives about keeping the free bag policy.
The company said at an investor day in September 2024 that while it would make between $1 billion and $1.5 billion from charging passengers to check bags, it would lose $1.8 billion of market share, according to CNBC.
Southwest CEO Bob Jordan also mentioned the importance of the bag policy to the company in an earnings call in July 2024.
“After fare and schedule, bags fly free is cited as the No. 1 issue in terms of why customers choose Southwest,” Jordan said, according to CNBC.
Southwest Airlines Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson told CNBC the change came because the company has realized “we need more revenue to cover our costs.”
Baggage fees brought in about $5.5 billion for airlines in 2024, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Amtrak, which operates passenger trains across the country, had a few thoughts the announcement.
“Guess we’re the only ones doing free baggage now,” the company wrote on X.
The about face for Southwest comes after the company announced in July 2024 that it was doing away with open seating, another long-standing policy that had set Southwest apart from other major airlines over the years.
The baggage change comes in the wake of a massive fine, layoffs and pressure from an activist investor.
Southwest Airlines was hit with a $140 million fine in 2023 by the U.S. Transportation Department for a holiday meltdown in 2022 that affected two million passengers.
Elliott Investment Management, an activist investor that took a stake in Southwest in 2024, has been pushing for changes to the company’s bag policies and open seating. Also, the company announced in January that it was slashing 15% of its workforce, or about 1,750 people, in order to cut costs.
While the bag policy has changed, certain customers will still be able to check one or two bags for free, depending on their status. Here’s what to know about the Southwest baggage changes.
When will the new Southwest Airlines baggage fee policy start?
Customers who do not qualify for free bag policies connected to Southwest loyalty programs will no longer be able to check free bags starting with flights booked on or after May 28, according to the company.
How much will the new Southwest Airlines baggage fee cost?
The carrier has not yet revealed what the cost will be of checking a bag.
Southwest competitors Delta, United and American Airlines charge $35 per bag for travelers to check luggage. If you’re planning to check in two bags, you’ll likely be paying $70 for both.
What customers don’t have to pay Southwest Airlines baggage fees?
Customers who have “Rapid Reward A-List Preferred” status and customers traveling on Business Select fares will still be allowed to check two bags for free, according to the company.
Customers who are “A-List” members or have the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards credit card will be allowed to check one bag for free.
