Southwest Airlines is one of the most popular low-cost carriers in the United States, known for its affordable fares and flexible baggage policy. If you’re planning to travel with Southwest, it’s important to understand their baggage policy to avoid any surprises or extra fees.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Southwest’s baggage policy to make your next flight with the airline as smooth as possible.
Carry On Baggage Allowance
When flying on Southwest Airlines, you can bring one free personal item and one free carry-on bag on board.
Personal Item Size Limit
Your personal item can be up to 16.25 x 13.5 x 8 inches (41.28 x 34.29 x 20.32 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
Examples of typical personal items include:
- Handbag
- Laptop bag
- Small backpack
Carry On Bag Size Limit
Your carry-on bag can be up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches (61 x 40 x 25 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.
Examples of typical carry-on bags include:
- Small suitcase
- Large backpack
- Duffel bag
- Garment bag
Free Checked Baggage
As a Southwest passenger, you are entitled to two free standard-sized checked bags. Standard-sized checked bags have the following characteristics:
Checked Bag Size
The largest linear dimension of each bag is 62 inches (157 centimeters). This is calculated by measuring the outside length, width, and height of your bag, and adding these measurements together. Be sure to include any protruding handles or straps in your measurements.
Checked Bag Weight
Each bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).
Checked Baggage Fees
As well as a generous free checked baggage allowance, Southwest Airlines has a refreshingly straightforward fee structure for extra, oversized, and overweight bags – all fees are $75:
Extra Bags
The fee for each standard-sized bag beyond the first two is $75. A maximum of ten bags in total can be checked per passenger. Please note that you can’t prepay for checked baggage – you will need to pay for any extra bags at the airport.
Oversized Baggage
For each bag that is larger than 62 linear inches, a fee of $75 applies. The maximum size for any bag is 80 linear inches (203 centimeters). Southwest will not accept bags larger than 80 linear inches.
Overweight Baggage
For each bag that weighs more than 50 pounds, a fee of $75 applies. The maximum weight for any bag is 100 pounds (45 kilograms). If your bag is heavier than this weight, it cannot be checked in. It will need to be shipped by cargo.
Please bear in mind that these fees are cumulative. For example, if you are traveling with a third bag which weighs more than 50 pounds, two fees will apply: $75 for the extra bag fee, and another $75 for the overweight baggage fee. A total of $150 will need to be paid for your bag to be checked in.
Also, these fees are applicable per direction. If you have a return flight, any baggage fees will be payable each way.
Some international destinations may be subject to a baggage embargo, limiting you to only 2 free standard-sized checked bags.
Baggage Allowance for Military Passengers
Passengers who are military personnel on active duty are not limited by the two free checked bag allowance.
Specifically, they are not subject to the following charges:
Extra Bags
The maximum number of bags that can be checked is 20.
Oversized Baggage
The largest linear dimension (length + width + height) of each bag cannot exceed 80 inches (203 centimeters).
Overweight Baggage
The maximum weight of each bag cannot exceed 100 pounds (45 kilograms).
At the Airport
Check-in Cut-off Time for Domestic Travel
If your bags are checked less than 45 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure, they may not travel on the same flight as you do and thus be delayed. In this circumstance, Southwest Airlines will not pay to have your checked bags delivered to you.
Check-in Cut-off Time for International Travel
If an international flight forms part of your journey, you can check your bags at the check-in counter in the airport. Curbside check-in is not available for international itineraries.
You must check-in your bags at least 60 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure, or you may be refused boarding. Please note that, for flights from Aruba, you must check your bags at least 75 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure.
If you have a connecting flight when entering the U.S., you will have to collect your bags upon arrival. After you have cleared Customs, you will then have to recheck your bags at a check-in counter before catching your connecting flight.
Special Items
Sports Equipment
Standard Sports Equipment
Any of the following sporting equipment items listed below can be substituted for one of your free checked bags at no charge. If the piece of sporting equipment is heavier than 50 pounds or larger than 62 linear inches, oversize and overweight charges may apply.
- Archery equipment
- Baseball and softball equipment
- Boogie or knee board
- Bowling equipment
- Bicycles (non-motorized)
- Fishing tackle box and fishing rod: You will only be liable for oversize charges if the fishing rod container is greater than 91 inches in length and/or greater than 3 inches in diameter
- Golf equipment
- Hockey and/or lacrosse equipment: When checking in hockey and/or lacrosse equipment as a free checked bag, you are allowed up to two bags to count as one item, even if they are packed separately.
- Blades
- Parachutes
- Scuba equipment
- Skateboards
- Snow ski equipment: When checking in ski equipment as a free bag, you are allowed up to two bags to count as one item, even if they are packed separately. Also, ski equipment is exempt from oversize fees. This exemption does not apply to overweight fees though – you may be subject to excess weight fees if your snow ski equipment weighs more than 50 pounds.
- Surfing equipment: When traveling within Hawaii, you are not subject to a size limit.
- Water ski equipment: Like snow ski equipment, water ski equipment is exempt from oversize fees. This exemption does not apply to overweight fees though – you may be subject to excess weight fees if your water ski equipment weighs more than 50 pounds.
Specialized Sports Equipment
You can check-in any of the following items below as checked baggage for a $75 charge, per direction:
- Bicycles: non-motorized, oversized (62 to 80 linear inches), and/or overweight (51 to 100 pounds)
- Javelins
- Kayak
- Kiteboard
- Surfboard bag
- Vaulting poles
- Wind surfing board
Musical Instruments
Southwest Airlines allows passengers to travel with musical instruments, if they meet certain size and weight restrictions.
It is recommended that your musical instrument is packed in a hard-sided protective case. If your instrument is contained in a soft-sided case, Southwest will consider it a fragile item. The airline will require you to sign a release of liability form, absolving Southwest of all responsibility and liability for any damage or loss that may occur while the musical instrument is in the airline’s custody.
When measuring or weighing your musical instrument, you must do so when it’s packed in its case.
Musical Instruments in Carry-on Baggage
Small instruments, such as violins, guitars, and trumpets, can be carried on board as a carry-on or personal item, as long as they fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. It must follow the standard size limits for carry-on items:
- Personal item: 8 x 16.25 x 13.5 inches (20 x 41 x 34 cm)
- Carry-on bag: 10 x 16 x 24 inches (25 x 40 x 61 cm)
However, you can buy a seat for a larger musical instrument. However, larger items such as cellos, double basses, and drums, are too large to be stored on the seat. These items must be checked and stored in the plane’s hold.
Musical Instruments in Checked Baggage
You can substitute your musical instrument for one of your checked bags.
However, your item is considered oversized if it’s larger than 62 inches but no more than 150 inches. You will be subject to a $75 oversized fee. Musical instruments larger than 150 linear inches can’t be checked in.
If your musical instrument is heavier than 50 pounds but no more than 165 pounds, its considered overweight. You will be liable for a $75 overweight fee upon check-in. Musical instruments weighing more than 165 pounds won’t be accepted.
Baggage Embargoes
Southwest Airlines has baggage embargoes to specific international destinations. A baggage embargo limits the amount of checked baggage with which you can travel.
Your Southwest flight may be affected by a baggage embargo if you are flying to/from one of the following destinations:
- Bahamas
- Belize
- Jamaica
- Costa Rica.
Southwest Airlines will notify passengers of any applicable baggage embargoes in their preflight email.
Restricted and Prohibited Items
The TSA will screen, and potentially physically inspect, all your checked baggage. Because of this, Southwest recommends that you place name labels on both the inside and outside of each bag. The labels should include your full name and phone number. This will also help Southwest to return your bag to you if it is delayed or lost. Name labels are available from Southwest ticket counters.
Locking your checked baggage can be a contentious issue. On the one hand, it can give you a sense of security knowing that they are locked. You also need to consider that TSA will screen your bag, and potentially open it for inspection. If your bag is locked, this will slow down the inspection process. If TSA cannot open your bag because you have used a non-TSA approved lock, the lock may have to be cut. Neither TSA nor Southwest are liable for any damage caused to locked bags that must be opened for security purposes.
Although not explicitly mentioned on Southwest’s website, you get the sense that the airline recommends that your bags should not be locked when checked in.
As your checked bags may be physically opened, the following items should not be packed in your bags:
- Medication
- Important or valuable documents
- Cash
- Jewelry
- Laptops
- Electronic equipment
- Keys
- Fragile items
- Any other items of value (monetary or sentimental)
For the safety of TSA, Southwest employees and yourself, sharp objects contained in your checked bags should be properly packed, to not cause injury.
Items which are not allowed in checked baggage include:
- Lithium batteries: Up to 20 spare lithium batteries can be packed in your carry-on.
- E-cigarettes: E-cigarettes are allowed in your carry-on but cannot be used onboard.
- Lighters: one disposable or Zippo lighter can be packed in your carry-on.
- Self-defense sprays: not allowed in checked or carry-on baggage.
For a complete list of prohibited items, please refer to TSA’s website.
Delayed and Damaged Baggage
If your checked baggage has been delayed or damaged, you should file a report in person to a Customer Service Agent at the Baggage Service Office. This office will be found either in the baggage claim area or at the ticket counter.
f you have already left the airport, you should contact the airline. This needs to be done within 4 hours of your flight’s arrival.
Delayed Baggage
If your checked bags don’t arrive at your destination when you do, you should report it to their Baggage Service Office at the airport as soon as possible. If you have already left the airport, you should contact the airline or call (888) 202-1024. This needs to be done within 4 hours of your flight’s arrival.
Once you’ve filed a report, Southwest Airlines will use its baggage tracking system to locate your luggage. The airline will keep you updated on the status of your missing luggage, and they’ll arrange to have it delivered to you as soon as possible.
If your luggage is not located within five days, Southwest Airlines will reimburse you for any expenses related to your delayed luggage, such as toiletries and clothing. Remember to keep all receipts!
You will then need to submit a claim online.
Damaged Baggage
If you notice any damage to your luggage, you should report it to their Baggage Service Office before leaving the airport.
If you have already left the airport, you should contact the airline. This needs to be done within 4 hours of your flight’s arrival.
Once you’ve filed a report, and Southwest has assumed liability, the airline will arrange to have your luggage repaired. If your luggage cannot be repaired, Southwest will provide compensation.
Final Thoughts
Although Southwest Airlines isn’t perfect, I do like its transparent and easy-to-follow approach to its checked baggage policy. It couldn’t get much simpler than two free standard-sized checked bags, with excess baggage fees at a consistent $75.
What do you think? Do you like Southwest’s checked baggage policy, or would you prefer more nuance to cater for passengers’ specific travel needs?
Remember to always check Southwest Airlines’ website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.
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