Houston-area vacationers who’ve lengthy relied on Southwest Airways for budget-friendly flights might face a brand new actuality.
As of Might 28, 2025, the airline’s beloved “two baggage fly free” coverage is formally gone.
In a sweeping shift that ends a greater than 50-year custom, Southwest will now cost for many checked baggage, a transfer that has stirred sturdy reactions from loyal flyers.
For fares bought on or after Might 28, passengers will now pay $35 for the primary checked bag and $45 for the second. Further checked baggage and chubby or outsized gadgets will incur even greater charges, although these particulars differ by measurement and weight.
This coverage change brings Southwest in keeping with different main U.S. carriers like Delta, United and American, which have charged for checked baggage for years.
They haven’t been cheap price-wise since COVID,” mentioned former Southwest buyer Ijeoma Adaku. “And now, assigned seating and paid baggage? Nothing units them aside anymore. They’re even on Expedia now.”
Why the Change?
The choice to implement bag charges comes amid rising monetary pressures within the airline business. In response to federal knowledge, U.S. airways introduced in a staggering $7.3 billion from baggage charges in 2024 alone. Regardless of holding out for many years, Southwest executives finally gave in to shareholder calls for to spice up income.
The bags price announcement follows different main shifts at Southwest, together with plans to introduce assigned seating in 2026 and provide primary economic system fares, just like opponents.
“We’ve great alternative to fulfill present and future Buyer wants, appeal to new Buyer segments we don’t compete for at this time and return to the degrees of profitability that each we and our Shareholders count on,” mentioned Bob Jordan, President, Chief Government Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Administrators at Southwest Airways in a press release. “We are going to do all this whereas remaining centered on what’s made us sturdy, our individuals and the genuine, pleasant and award-winning Buyer Service solely they will present.”
Who nonetheless flies free?
Not everybody can pay. The airline is providing key exemptions to the brand new charges:
Enterprise Choose passengers will nonetheless obtain two free checked baggage.
A-Record and A-Record Most popular members — frequent flyers with elite standing — will proceed to get at the least one free bag.
Southwest Speedy Rewards credit score cardholders (and journey companions booked underneath the identical reservation) get their first commonplace bag free. These playing cards carry annual charges between $69 and $199.
Energetic obligation army personnel are additionally exempt from baggage charges.
Southwest recommends checking your standing or reserving class fastidiously earlier than your flight to keep away from surprising prices.
Tricks to decrease baggage prices
When you’re a budget-conscious traveler, listed below are a number of methods to regulate:
Pack Gentle: Southwest nonetheless permits one private merchandise and one carry-on free of charge. Use these properly.
Use Factors: Redeem Speedy Rewards factors to improve to fare ranges that embrace free baggage.
Apply for a Southwest Credit score Card: When you fly greater than twice a 12 months, the free bag perk can outweigh the cardboard’s annual price.
Fly with Associates: Reserving along with a cardholder can prolong the luggage profit to companions.
