Why Southwest Airlines Stands Out From Other Carriers on Bags
Southwest Airlines operates under a baggage policy that differs noticeably from what you'll find with most other major U.S. carriers. While airlines like American, Delta, and United charge fees for checked bags, Southwest includes two free checked bags with virtually every ticket type. This policy has remained consistent since the early 1970s, making it one of the longest-standing baggage policies in the industry.
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The distinction matters significantly for travelers who frequently check luggage. Over the course of a year, someone flying round-trip monthly with one checked bag on United or American would pay between $240 and $360 in baggage fees alone. That same traveler flying Southwest would pay nothing for those checked bags. For families traveling together, the savings compound quickly—a family of four checking one bag each on a typical carrier adds $120 to $160 per round-trip flight.
Southwest's model reflects a different business approach than competitors. Instead of generating revenue through ancillary fees, Southwest builds bag fees into its base ticket pricing structure. This doesn't mean Southwest tickets are always cheaper—competitors often run competitive promotions—but it does mean you can more accurately predict your total flight cost when flying Southwest because the major hidden fee doesn't exist.
The baggage policy extends to carry-on items as well. Southwest allows two carry-on bags (one personal item and one overhead or under-seat bag) at no charge across all fare types. Again, most other carriers charge for carry-ons only on their lowest-fare basic economy tickets, but many travelers don't realize this restriction exists until they're at the airport.
Practical takeaway: When comparing Southwest flight prices to other airlines, factor in that you're already accounting for two free checked bags in Southwest's pricing. This makes a $20-30 price difference less significant than it initially appears.
What You Can Bring: The Complete Checked Bag Picture
Southwest's two free checked bags policy applies to standard luggage, but understanding what qualifies as a "checked bag" prevents confusion at the ticket counter. A checked bag is any piece of luggage you hand to the airline at check-in that goes into the aircraft's cargo hold. Size and weight restrictions apply—each checked bag must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height combined) and cannot weigh more than 50 pounds.
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Many travelers wonder whether specialty items count toward the two-bag limit. Sporting equipment often does. Golf clubs, skis, surfboards, and bicycles each count as one checked bag. If you're traveling with golf clubs and also want to check a suitcase, that's two of your free bags used. A third piece of luggage would incur a fee. However, certain items like car seats and strollers don't count against your baggage allowance—these travel free as additional items.
Musical instruments present another common question. A full-size guitar or cello in a hard case counts as a checked bag. However, if the instrument fits within carry-on dimensions and weight, you can carry it aboard instead, which doesn't count toward either of your free checked bags or your two carry-on allowances. This option works well for musicians who want to keep instruments with them rather than checking them.
Service animals and emotional support animals have their own rules separate from baggage policies. Service animals travel free and don't count as checked or carry-on bags. Southwest stopped accepting emotional support animals on flights as of 2021, only recognizing federally-regulated service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Weight and size violations carry consequences. If your checked bag exceeds 50 pounds or 62 inches combined dimensions, Southwest charges $100 per violation. For oversize bags (those between 62 and 80 inches), the fee is $100. Bags exceeding 80 inches aren't accepted at all, regardless of fee willingness.
Practical takeaway: Measure and weigh your bags before arriving at the airport. Buying a bathroom scale (around $15-25) pays for itself after one incident of oversize fees.
The Fee Structure: When You Actually Pay for Bags
While Southwest's headline policy covers two free checked bags, additional bags and oversized luggage trigger specific charges. Understanding when fees apply helps you pack strategically and budget accurately.
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The third checked bag costs $35. A fourth checked bag costs $75. Most passengers never reach a third bag, but families traveling with multiple suitcases or people relocating should know these charges exist. The fees apply per direction—so a round-trip flight with a third bag means paying $35 each way, totaling $70 for that round-trip journey.
Bags exceeding standard dimensions fall into two categories. The first "oversized but acceptable" range is 62 to 80 inches in combined length-width-height—these cost $100 each way. The second category, anything over 80 inches, simply isn't accepted. You cannot purchase an exception for these bags; they must be shipped separately or left behind.
Weight penalties apply only to bags heavier than 50 pounds. Each bag between 51 and 100 pounds incurs a $100 charge per direction. Bags exceeding 100 pounds aren't accepted and must be shipped through other means.
Interestingly, some specialty items get different treatment. Pets in carriers count as a checked bag (consuming one of your free allowances) and also carry a $100 per-direction charge, meaning the actual cost to travel with a pet is $100 per direction plus the loss of one free checked bag. A second pet incurs an additional $100. You can travel with up to six pets maximum.
Southwest occasionally runs promotions that temporarily waive checked bag fees, but these are rare and typically apply only to specific routes or customer segments. Monitoring Southwest's website before booking can reveal any current offers.
Practical takeaway: For most travelers, the two free bags cover typical trip needs. If you consistently need three or more checked bags, calculate whether annual Southwest fees would exceed what you'd pay for Spirit or Frontier flights with lower base fares.
How Your Ticket Type Affects Your Baggage Rights
Southwest offers multiple ticket fare classes: Wanna Get Away (basic economy), Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime (standard economy), and Business Select (premium). Many travelers assume different fares come with different baggage allowances, but this is one area where Southwest maintains consistency.
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All four ticket types include two free checked bags. No fare class removes this benefit. This contrasts sharply with competitors where basic economy fares often include zero checked bags, forcing budget-conscious travelers to pay additional fees or select higher fare classes.
Where fare types diverge on baggage is in ancillary benefits that affect luggage experience. Business Select tickets, priced around $150-300 higher than Wanna Get Away, include priority boarding. This means you board in the first group, nearly guaranteeing overhead bin space for carry-on bags even on full flights. Wanna Get Away passengers board last, increasing the likelihood of needing to gate-check carry-on bags due to full overhead bins.
Wanna Get Away Plus tickets, positioned between basic and standard economy, include priority boarding as well, making them attractive for travelers prioritizing overhead bin access without paying full Business Select pricing. The $30-60 difference over Wanna Get Away often justifies the upgrade when traveling with items you prefer keeping close.
Frequent flyer status affects boarding order but not baggage allowances. A Southwest Rapid Rewards member at any tier still receives the same two free checked bags as a non-member purchasing an identical Wanna Get Away ticket. However, elite frequent flyer members (A-List and A-List Preferred) receive priority boarding as a status benefit, giving them practical baggage advantages through earlier overhead bin access.
Connections present a single scenario where baggage handling changes. Southwest operates a unique open seating system on all flights. Bags checked through to your final destination bypass baggage claim at connection points, a process called interline baggage handling. This means with a connection, your checked bags move directly to your final destination without you handling them, though you'll still retrieve them at your final airport.
Practical takeaway: Focusing purely on baggage policy shouldn't drive ticket selection—prioritize boarding type (A, B, or C position) if overhead bin access matters for your specific trip.