Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy:

Starting May 28, 2025, Southwest Airlines has baggage policies in place. Passengers can have a carry-on and a personal item for free to get on the plane. However, the overwhelming majority of passengers will pay for checked bags going forward. There once was a time, a year or so back, when the right to check bags in accordance with the Southwest Airlines baggage policy was a part of every ticket price for passengers, which allowed you to check five bags, or ten bags, or whatever for free. After May 28, 2025, only Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and Business Select members will get 2 pieces of baggage free. A-List members and Rapid Rewards credit card members can check 1 free bag; all other passengers after May 28, 2025, will incur charges for checked baggage fees when checking luggage.

When traveling, make sure your baggage sizes are correct so that you do not have a potential baggage problem and get boarding hassles at Southwest due to volumetric size restriction conformity. You do not want to arrive at security at the airport with bags that are near the seams, or if you happen to find your winter coat at the last minute and need to check your oversized luggage with gate check baggage charges for your oversized luggage.

Carry-on & Personal Item:

The Southwest Airlines luggage guidelines permit you to bring one carry-on and one personal item. If you bring a second carry-on, it is forfeit! The carry-on bag must fit inside the overhead compartment and should not be bigger than 24 x 16 x 10 inches (61 x 41 x 25 cm,) including wheels and handles. Personal items can also be basically anything that can be bags, purses, briefcases, or laptop bags. Personal items must go under your seat and cannot be larger than 16.25 x 13.5 x 8 inches (41 x 34 x 20 cm.)
Southwest does not have a weight limit for your carry-on bag; however, you must be able to lift your carry-on without assistance to the carry-on compartment. Animal carriers count as either a carry-on or a personal item depending on the dimensions, so they must meet either size.

A few examples would be

(1) Small suitcase or rolling bag.
(2) Backpack (if you are using this as your main bag).
(3) Duffel bag.

Southwest Airline Carry-on Size Limits:

If you remember the Southwest Airlines carry-on size limits, it will make the process of actually passing through airport security much smoother. Most people will want to conform to these size limits in order to avoid having to pay additional fees and waiting; however, Southwest Airlines has a hint of a convenient and easy carry-on policy designed around the passenger.

Overall, Southwest Airlines is transparent about its size restrictions for carry-ons, helping you get through security as smoothly as possible without the added stress of hidden fees and delays. To summarize, Southwest Airlines had probably the simplest and most accommodating carry-on policy to help maximize overall ease and convenience for all travelers.

In 2025, Southwest Airlines will allow travelers to carry on their 1 carry-on and 1 personal item free of charge; the bag must not exceed 24 inches (L) x 16 inches (W) x 10 inches (H), including wheels and handles. These are the exact dimensions that they use to not allow your bag if you try to cram it into the overhead bin. If your bag size (and weight) does fall into this category, everyone's travel experience will suffer; you will most likely be forced to check your bag at the gate, or at least you will face a little inconvenience with walking back to the gate and queue to board and then deplaning.

Your carry-on bag may have another item aside from the carry-on bag; that being said, the personal item can be any type of bag, i.e., backpack, purse, briefcase, or laptop bag, but must fit within the seat compartment below. Above all else, it is to your advantage if it is no bigger than approximately 16.25 inches x 13.5 inches x 8 inches.

Unlike most airlines, Southwest does not have any weight limit for baggage carry-ons, and as long as the bag can be stored properly, they do not care. However, the passenger should consider their own logic to pack well and be able to account for their stuff.

Southwest's take on carry-on luggage is the perfect example of their overall goal with traveling, which is to make the customer's experience easier. No surprises, no oddities, just a clear guideline that all pieces can fit together.

Airline Baggage Fees Comparison:

When it comes to fees for airline baggage, Southwest Airlines is still leading the way with its policies that take passengers concerns above adding excess charges and fees. For example, many of the major airlines in the US charge extra for every bag the customer takes or will end up revealing other charges later. Southwest provides some checked bags free or at least at the lowest price for its checked bags available with fewer allowances and lessens the entire travel cost.

One of the big bonuses when it comes to Southwest is their "Bags Fly Free" feature. Allowed to check two bags free, Southwest is doing something that in 2025 is nearly impossible to become commonplace among U.S. carriers. Most airlines (like American, Delta, or United) charge $30-$40 for the first checked bag and charge up to $100 for an extra bag. The airline makes it possible to travel round trip and have two checked bags for more than $120 less than the airline.

In addition to the free checked bags, Southwest allows a carry-on and one free personal item. The carry-on, like many airlines, has to fit within their guidelines of 24 x 16 x 10 inches. Overall, Southwest makes it simple for both leisure and business travelers to plan and pack.

Southwest will charge for excess bags or oversized bags. If you are flying Southwest with excess bags, you will not have to pay for them until you come back home, if in fact you did pay for them.

Chart of Southwest Airlines checked-baggage fees:

Southwest Airlines Tips to Avoid Charges:

 1. Take Advantage of the Free Checked Bags

Southwest is one of the few airlines that allows

• 2 free checked bags per passenger

• No change fees or cancellation fees

 2. Pack Smart for Carry-On

Southwest allows

• 1 carry-on bag (max: 24 x 16 x 10 inches)

• 1 personal item (like a purse or laptop bag)

 3. Book with “Wanna Get Away” Fares Early

• The cheapest fare option is “Wanna Get Away.”

• Booking early helps you lock in the lowest price before fares rise.

 4. Cancel or Change Without Fees

• You can cancel or change your flight with no fee.

• The value is retained as travel credit, even for Wanna Get Away fares (if canceled at least 10 minutes before departure).

 5. Skip EarlyBird Check-In Unless Needed

• EarlyBird Check-In costs $15–25 one-way per person.

• It gives early boarding but is not always necessary.

 6. Use Companion Pass & Rewards

• With Southwest’s Companion Pass, your companion flies free (plus taxes & fees).

• Earn Rapid Rewards points for future discounts or free flights.

 7. Avoid In-Flight Extras

• Southwest doesn’t charge for snacks or sodas

• But Wi-Fi costs $8 per device per flight

Special Items & Sports Equipment on Southwest Airlines:

Are you headed on a vacation and want to take some skis, golf clubs, or perhaps a beloved musical instrument? When flying with Southwest Airlines, it is surprisingly easy to take these items along. If you are packing your bags and plan to take something special, you are in luck! Southwest counts many of these items, just like checked bags, as long as you follow their size and weight rules.

For example, if you are going to the mountains for a ski vacation (or a warmer climate with a golf course), you are allowed to check 1 pair of skis or a golf bag, and as long as it weighs under 50 pounds and assumes a linear dimension of 62 inches (which is the total length + total width + total height), that will be part of your 2 checked bags, and that is no additional charge if within the prescribed limits.

Musicians are well cared for. If you are carrying a guitar, a violin, or another instrument, you have a couple of choices. If an instrument fits in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, it will count as a carry-on. If it needs to be checked and it's within size and weight policies, it will count as one of your two bags.

If your treasured instrument exceeds 50 lbs. or is oversize, it will be subject to the extra baggage fees for excessive weight and size, but if you are crafty in how you stow your instrument, you can avoid any extra fees.

Whether you are a golfer, skier, or performer, Southwest Airlines allows you to bring your essential gear along and travel with confidence and not worry about the convoluted rules surrounding baggage. Just pack wisely and double-check your measurements, and you will most likely be able to check your gear free of charge while providing yet another example of what travelers appreciate about Southwest Airlines' uncomplicated, inclusive travel policies.

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