Starting now, passengers booking new flights will have to pay for checked luggage—a sharp pivot from a decades-old policy that helped set the airline apart from its competitors.
Southwest announced this shift back in March, with the new rules officially kicking in for flights booked on or after Wednesday. That means unless you booked before today, you’ll now be paying $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for a second.
You should also check this out: Crazy for chicken? Major rebrand by legendary chain calls for customers to get loco.
Who still gets free bags?
Not everyone will feel the pinch. If you’re a frequent Southwest flyer with elite status, you’re in luck. A-List Preferred members and Business Select passengers will still get two free checked bags. Regular A-List members and Rapid Rewards credit card holders will receive one free checked bag. For everyone else, those bag fees are now part of the fare.
Southwest has long utilized its free baggage policy as a key component of its brand identity, with numerous ads highlighting the freedom to check two bags at no additional charge. But now, that messaging will change—and so might your travel budget.
This article will be an interesting read: World’s largest convenience store and gas station expands to two new states.
What’s behind the change?
This isn’t just about bags. Southwest is making broader changes aimed at boosting revenue after a rocky financial stretch. The airline estimates it could make $1.5 billion annually by charging for baggage. However, it also anticipates losing about $1.8 billion in business from customers who used to choose Southwest because of the free bags.
In February, the airline announced the elimination of 1,750 corporate jobs—about 15% of its workforce. It also struck a deal with hedge fund Elliott Investment Management in October to avoid a proxy fight, giving Elliott several board seats in exchange for cooperation.
More changes are coming
This policy shift isn’t happening in isolation. Starting Wednesday, Southwest will also enforce a new rule requiring passengers to keep portable chargers in view while using them due to fire concerns linked to lithium-ion batteries.
The airline is also preparing to say goodbye to another long-standing tradition: open boarding. Beginning next year, Southwest plans to implement assigned seating, breaking with more than 50 years of letting passengers pick any open seat when boarding.
You can also expect new fare types, red-eye flights, and premium seating with extra legroom—all part of a strategy to compete more directly with legacy carriers.
Here is another interesting read: Aldi recalls popular fish product sold in California, Nevada and Arizona – These are the lots affected by the massive recall.
What does this mean for you?
If you’ve been loyal to Southwest for the perks, especially the free bags, this might feel like a betrayal. You’ll now need to factor baggage fees into your travel budget or consider joining a loyalty tier or applying for the airline’s credit card.
Either way, Southwest is no longer the outlier when it comes to bag fees, and your next trip may cost a bit more.
If you are a music lover, read this: One of Phoenix’s most beloved music stores closes after many years and leaves a message for the city: “The area we’re in is not..
