Southwest Airlines Ends Free Checked Bags—What To Know

11.03.2025 - 15:03 / travelandleisure.com / Bob Jordan

It’s the end of an era for one of the biggest perks at a popular low-cost airline.

Southwest Airlines announced it is ending its free checked bag policy for most of its fare types, ending a perk that saved customers millions of dollars in bag fees. For all flights booked on or after May 28, passengers will have to pay for their checked luggage, however, the airline didn’t disclose how much the amount would be. 

“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect,” Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan said in the release. 

Passengers who book Business Select fares, or are members of the airline’s frequent flyer program Rapid Rewards at the A-List Preferred level, will still receive two free bags. Passengers who are A-List members will receive one free checked bag. If a passenger pays for their bags with a Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card, they will be credited one free bag on the purchase. 

«Free checked bags were the biggest benefit of flying Southwest and a major part of its brand identity,» Mae Hamilton, an editor at T+L and a loyal Southwest passenger, said. «With this, the points devaluation, and the seating policy change, Southwest is starting to feel like just like any other airline.»

In addition to the changes to its bag policy, Southwest announced a variety of other changes to its fare types and products, including the launch of a basic economy fare, which will not have perks such as advanced seat assignment, a change Southwest previously announced. 

The airline will also move to  “variable redemption rates” for award tickets, which could result in higher prices for some tickets, and lower prices for others, based on demand. 

“These strategic moves, aimed to deepen and reward loyalty between Southwest and its most engaged Customers, create new opportunities to reach consumers who value fare above everything else,” Southwest Airlines said in a news release.

Across social media, frequent flyers and passengers shared their opinions of the new changes.

“That was really the main reason I stayed with Southwest,” one traveler shared in a Southwest Reddit group. “No reason to stay with them now.”