Southwest Airlines Checked Bag Fees Now Live: Here’s What It’ll Cost You
ID 175169964 | Southwest Airlines © jpg1902 | Dreamstime.com
Southwest Airlines has officially ended its long-standing “Bags Fly Free” policy. As of May 28, 2025, passengers booking new tickets will be subject to checked baggage fees for the first time in the airline’s history.
Checked Bag Fees Now Apply on Southwest
For tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025, the following fees now apply on Southwest:
-
First checked bag: $35
-
Second checked bag: $45
-
Third or more bags: $150 each
This brings Southwest’s baggage fees in line with most other major U.S. carriers. However, some travelers remain eligible for free bags:
-
Business Select passengers: Two free checked bags
-
A-List Preferred members: Two free checked bags
-
A-List members: One free checked bag
-
Southwest co-branded credit card holders: One free checked bag
These benefits also extend to up to eight travel companions on the same reservation.
Exception: Flights between Hawaiian islands maintain a more generous baggage policy and are not fully subject to the new fee structure.
Fares Haven’t Dropped To Offset the Fee
While airlines often justify fees by suggesting they allow for “a la carte” pricing, Southwest hasn’t adjusted fares to reflect the removal of free baggage. A sample check across several routes showed:
-
No significant fare reductions
-
Four routes remained unchanged
-
One route increased by $5
-
One route decreased by $7
In other words, passengers are now paying more for the same product, unless they qualify for a checked bag waiver.
What’s the Strategy?
The baggage fee rollout is part of a broader shift at Southwest, which includes:
-
Introducing extra legroom seating
-
Moving toward assigned seating
-
Other product changes aimed at boosting ancillary revenue
These moves come amid pressure from activist investors, who are pushing Southwest to modernize its model to compete with other major carriers.
The Big Question: Will It Work?
Just a year ago, Southwest leadership publicly argued that charging bag fees would lose them more in market share than it would gain in revenue. They cited estimates suggesting:
-
$1.5 billion in new bag fees
-
$1.8 billion in potential lost market share
Now they’re making that bet anyway—clearly under external pressure.
The move marks a dramatic departure for Southwest, whose brand identity has long centered around simplicity, transparency, and inclusivity. The airline is already navigating higher labor costs, a lack of premium cabins, and no long-haul international presence—all factors working against it in today’s revenue environment.
Even more telling: United CEO Scott Kirby reportedly views these changes as good news—a red flag for Southwest’s leadership, if rivals are cheering them on.
Bottom Line
Southwest Airlines has officially begun charging $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second, as of May 28, 2025, for new ticket purchases. Elite members, Business Select passengers, and co-branded credit card holders still get at least one free bag, but it’s a major shift for an airline that once prided itself on offering two free checked bags to every customer.
Whether this generates more revenue than it costs in customer goodwill remains to be seen. One thing is clear—the Southwest you knew is changing fast.
