What Is Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy in 2025?
- Farehub Desk
- Sep 26
- 5 min read
Traveling through Southwest Airlines? Now is the right time to understand their Southwest baggage policy, which will help you know everything before you pack. Knowing the rules might save you time, stress, and money, whether you take a carry-on, check bags, or wonder about extra fees. In this guide, we will cover Southwest Airlines baggage policy in a travel-friendly manner so you understand everything clearly and fly prepared and confident at all times. Let's get underway and make your next Southwest flight a breeze!
What is Southwest Airlines' Baggage Policy?
Southwest Airlines has revised its baggage policy, discontinuing the long-standing "Bags Fly Free" promotion for most customers. Business Select fare customers and A-List Preferred members are the only ones who will continue to receive two free checked bags. A-List members and Rapid Rewards credit card holders qualify for one free checked bag. All customers can still carry one carry-on bag and one personal item free of charge.
What is Checked Baggage Policy?
Southwest checked bag policy does not include standard fees for the first and second checked bags. But size and weight limits may apply.
Checked baggage fees may apply depending on booking or ticketing status.
Two free checked bags are offered to:
Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members
Business Select Customers
One free checked bag is offered to:
A-List Members
Other select Customers
Rapid Rewards Credit Card members are entitled to the first checked bag free of charge.
Weight and size limits apply to all checked bags.
Golf bags and skis count as the free bag allowance if they don’t cross the Southwest carry-on weight limits.
Passengers can check their bags digitally before arriving at the airport.
Bag tracking is available digitally.
Use the self-tagging kiosk and drop your luggage at the airport with a Southwest team member.
While traveling on a partner itinerary, it is essential to review which carrier’s checked baggage policy is valid.
You can check snow ski equipment as one bag, which may include:
One pair of skis or one snowboard
One set of poles
One pair of ski or snowboard boots
What is the Carry-on & Personal Item Policy?
Each traveler can store one piece of luggage in the overhead bin, and a Southwest personal item size should be perfect to fit underneath the seat.
Measuring your item and carry-on:
One carry-on bag
Southwest baggage policy carry on states that your bags should fit into the upper compartment.
Southwest carry-on size limitations are 24" (L) + 16" (W) + 10" (H). The carry-on size of Southwest will be influenced by its wheels, handles, and accessories.
Examples: Roller bag, small suitcase
One personal carry-on item
Examples include purses (including cross-body bags), briefcases, laptop computer cases, blankets, backpacks, miniature cameras, and pillows; neck pillows are not considered part of the Southwest Airlines baggage allowance.
What is the Partner Travel Baggage Policy?
The first carrier partner interline is Icelandair. The carrier's policies governing your flight will apply to that flight. Partner flights operated by Icelandair can be booked through Icelandair's website and channels.
Checked Baggage
The partner carrier's checked baggage policy includes fees applicable to your itinerary. Customers on partner itineraries cannot check bags online for their Southwest flight.
If either airline doesn’t allow an item as checked baggage, it won’t be accepted, no matter which airline's rules apply to your trip.
Mishandled Baggage
File all complaints regarding damages, delays, or missing items with the last segment carrier of the flight on the date of the incident. Report the incident immediately if you arrived at your destination on a Southwest-operated flight.
What if you lost your Carry-On Bag while traveling?
If you have left something on the plane, please inform a Customer Service Agent at the airport before departure so they can attempt to retrieve it. If you are at the airport, the agent can retrieve it before the aircraft departs. If you provide an email address, the airlines will keep you up to date on the search operation from time to time. Your item will be contacted by phone and/or email if it is found. If you do not provide an e-mail address, you will be called if your item is located. If the airlines fail to find your item within 30 days of receiving your notice, likely, it wasn't turned in.
International Checked Baggage Embargoes
A baggage embargo restricts oversized, overweight, and extra checked bags for specific international destinations. An embargo ensures that passengers can easily check up to two standard-sized bags. Some destinations have year-round embargoes, while others apply seasonally (e.g., during summer or holiday periods).
During an embargo:
Checked items beyond the allowed limit are not accepted.
The standard carry-on policy remains in effect.
Exemptions include:
Assistive devices for customers with disabilities.
This consists of a stroller, an infant restraint seat (CRS) for a child, and regular baggage allowances.
When flying on a partner airline, different baggage guidelines may apply; please check with the partner airline for details.
Embargoes commonly affect the following destinations:
Bahamas (NAS)
Belize (BZE)
Jamaica (MBJ)
San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)
The overweight fee is imposed for checked bags weighing more than 50 pounds
What are the Baggage Fees for Southwest Airlines?
Passengers carrying first and second checked bags are free from Southwest baggage cost. Each bag should not exceed 50 lbs in weight and 62 inches (length + width + height) in size.
If a bag is overweight and oversized, a $200 fee applies. Bags over 100 lbs or larger than 80 inches are not accepted as checked baggage.
Conclusion
Passengers can bring clothes, electronics, toiletries, and other items as personal items. All items must pass TSA restrictions (no liquids exceeding 3.4 oz, etc.). Each passenger is allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item, which must be stored in the overhead bin or beneath the seat in front of the passenger. Southwest Airlines' carry-on bag size should be 24 x 16 x 10 inches maximum. However, please place your personal items under the seat in front of you.
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