Southwest Airlines · Bags & fees
Southwest Airlines bags, fees & check-in
Southwest changed a lot in 2025 and 2026. Free checked bags for everyone ended, open boarding became assigned seating, and the fare lineup was rebuilt. Here's what you'll actually pay now: checked and carry-on bags, the new fare tiers, change rules and check-in deadlines. Plain numbers, stated assumptions, and a date you can trust.
Unless noted, prices are for U.S. domestic economy, per checked bag, on a ticket booked on or after April 9, 2026. The old "bags fly free for everyone" policy is over: it ended for tickets bought from May 28, 2025. A-List Preferred and A-List members, Southwest co-branded cardholders, Choice Extra fares and active-duty military still get free bags, each flagged below.
Checked bag fees
This is the big change: Southwest no longer gives every passenger two free checked bags. For tickets booked on or after April 9, 2026, the first bag is $45 and the second is $55. The fee applies to most fares unless you hold elite status, a Southwest credit card, a Choice Extra fare, or active-duty military status.
| Bag | Fee (one-way) |
|---|---|
| 1st checked bag | $45 |
| 2nd checked bag | $55 |
| 3rd+ checked bag | $150 |
Fees shown are for bookings made on or after April 9, 2026 (they were $35 / $45 before that date). Standard allowance applies up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Heavier or larger bags add the surcharges in the next section.
Who still gets free checked bags: A-List Preferred members (2 bags) and A-List members (1 bag); Southwest co-branded cardholders (1 bag, plus up to 8 companions on the same reservation); the Choice Extra fare (2 bags); and active-duty military (all bags free, no quantity limit, exempt from overweight/oversize fees up to 100 lbs/80 in — valid military ID required). Everyone else pays per the table above.
Carry-on & personal item
Carry-on is unchanged and still free on every fare. You get one carry-on bag plus one smaller personal item, and the bag fees only apply to luggage you check.
Unlike the legacy carriers' Basic Economy, Southwest's cheapest Basic fare still includes the full carry-on plus personal item. The trade-offs on Basic are seat selection, changes and credit rules, not your carry-on.
Overweight & oversize fees
These surcharges stack on top of the standard checked bag fee, so a heavy first bag can run well over $150. The thresholds and amounts did not change in the 2026 update.
| Bag exceeds | Surcharge (added) |
|---|---|
| 51–70 lbs (overweight) | +$100 |
| 71–100 lbs (overweight) | +$200 |
| 63–80 linear inches (oversize) | +$200 |
If a bag is both overweight and oversize, only one $200 charge applies (surcharges do not stack). Standard free allowance tops out at 50 lbs and 62 linear inches.
Basic Economy rules
Southwest rebuilt its fares in 2026, replacing "Wanna Get Away" with four tiers: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra. Basic is the new cheapest fare. It keeps the free carry-on but limits seating, changes and credit. Choice Extra is the top tier and the only one that bundles two free checked bags.
| What you get | Basic | Choice | Choice Extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full carry-on + personal item | Free | Free | Free |
| Free checked bags | None | None | 2 bags |
| Seat selection at booking | Assigned at check-in | Standard seat | Any seat incl. Extra Legroom |
| Flight change | Needs fare upgrade | Fare difference only | Fare difference only |
| Free same-day change/standby | Not eligible | Free | Free |
| If you cancel | Credit, 6-mo expiry | Transferable credit, 12-mo | Full cash refund |
Choice Preferred sits between Choice and Choice Extra: a preferred seat at booking and a full cash refund if cancelled (not a flight credit), but checked bag fees still apply. A-List Preferred members and Southwest cardholders get free bags regardless of fare.
Changes, cancellations & seats
Southwest still charges no flat change or cancellation fee, its long-standing edge. You pay only the fare difference when you move a flight, and the fare type decides what happens to the money if you cancel. Basic is the one fare you can't freely change.
| Action | Choice / Choice Preferred / Extra | Basic |
|---|---|---|
| Change fee | $0 + fare difference | Allowed only with a fare upgrade |
| Same-day change / standby | Free | Not eligible |
| Cancel, what you get | Transferable credit or refund | Flight credit, 6-month expiry |
| 24-hour free cancellation | Yes | Yes |
All fares can be cancelled within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to the original payment. Choice cancellations become a transferable flight credit (12-month expiry); Choice Preferred and Choice Extra cancel to a full cash refund to the original payment. There is no per-change penalty on any fare.
Check-in & bag-drop deadlines
Miss these cutoffs and Southwest can deny boarding or refuse your bag. They apply whether or not you're checking luggage.
| Flight type | Check-in / bag-drop by |
|---|---|
| Domestic (U.S.) | 45 min before departure |
| International | 60 min before departure |
International travel also requires verifying your passport with an agent or kiosk at the ticket counter at least 60 minutes before departure. Online check-in opens 24 hours before the flight.
Onboard experience
Southwest's onboard model is built around your own device. There are no seatback screens; Wi-Fi, live TV and streaming all run through the inflight entertainment portal on your phone or tablet. In 2026 the airline started equipping aircraft with Starlink.
| Seat type | Approx. pitch | What's notable |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 31″ | Most of the cabin. Assigned at booking on Choice and up. |
| Preferred | 31″ | Standard pitch, nearer the front. Selectable at booking on Choice Preferred and up. |
| Extra Legroom | 34–36″ | First few rows and exit rows. Earlier boarding, premium drinks and extra snacks. |
Open boarding ended. Assigned seating is live for flights on or after January 27, 2026 across the fleet. Basic fares are assigned a seat at check-in unless you hold elite status or a co-branded card.
Where Southwest flies
Southwest runs a point-to-point network from focus cities rather than traditional connecting hubs. It builds heavy nonstop service out of a set of busy airports instead of funneling everyone through one or two megahubs.
Best time to fly Southwest
These are seasonal patterns, not bookable fares. Sign in to search live Southwest fares for your exact dates.
Seasonal patterns are typical for U.S. routes and vary by destination; they're guidance for planning, not bookable prices.
How to skip the fees
Southwest baggage FAQ
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