Back in March of this year Southwest Airlines made waves after it announced it would eliminate free checked bags for most passengers. This change came amidst a massive shakeup for the Dallas based carrier that has seen it radically transform its business model.
While we have known for a while that the airline will begin charging for bags, it wasn’t until today that we learned just how much it’ll cost you when checking bags on a future Southwest Airlines flight.
Southwest Will Charge $35 for the First Checked Bag
Beginning tomorrow, May 28, 2025, Southwest Airlines will begin charging checked bag fees for most passengers. While the airline hasn’t publicly released pricing, an internal memo has revealed that the carrier will charge $35 for the first checked bag. A second checked bag will run passengers an additional $45.
This is roughly in line with what you’ll find on other major carriers with Delta and American charging the same price (though American charges more if you don’t prepurchase bags). United is slightly higher at $40 for the first and $50 for the second checked bag.
Not all Southwest passengers will have to pay for checked bags as the airline will allow free checked bags for:
- Business Select Passengers (2 free bags)
- Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members (2 free bags)
- Rapid Rewards A-List Members (1 free bag)
- Southwest Credit Card holders (1 free bag)
For Rapid Rewards elites and credit cardholders, free checked bags will apply for up to eight passengers on the same reservation.
Checked Bag Fees are one of the Last Remaining Changes in the Airline’s Transformation
Southwest is nearing the end of its radical transformation exercise which represents one of the largest airline overhauls ever. The final remaining piece of the equation is the addition of assigned seating as well as extra legroom seating.
While the loss of free checked bags is a negative for travelers across the board, I’m looking forward to the assigned and extra legroom seating. Historically, the cattle call boarding has been enough to make me shy away from the airline unless absolutely necessary. This change should drastically cut down on the gate lice and preboard abuse that has become common on the airline.
Unfortunately, we still have quite a while until the airline rolls out assigned seating. Tickets are expected to go on sale late in 2025 for flights operating in 2026 and beyond. In the meantime, we’re stuck with the worst of both worlds from the airline as they charge for bags but still have free for all boarding at the gate.
Summary
Southwest will begin charging for checked bags on flights booked on or after May 28, 2025. While pricing is in line with what we find on other U.S. carriers, this represents a major change for the airline who has championed free bags for decades.
This change is one of the final remaining steps in the Dallas based carrier’s transformation plan which has seen it overhaul its Rapid Rewards program, cut corporate staff, and add assigned seating. It will be interesting to see what these changes do to the carrier’s bottom line in the short and long terms.
