After more than five decades of letting “bags fly free,” Southwest Airlines is officially ending its signature policy.
According to a recent announcement reported by USA Today, starting May 28, new reservations will incur charges for checking luggage, marking a significant shift for the airline that built its reputation partly on this customer-friendly approach.
The new fee structure
Under the new policy, passengers will be charged $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for a second. This change applies to all flights booked on or after May 28, and standard weight and size restrictions still apply, according to USA Today.
Some travelers will still enjoy baggage perks. Business Select, Choice Extra, and A-List Preferred customers should continue to receive two free checked bags. A-List members and Chase Rapid Rewards credit card holders also still get one free checked bag.
Last chance to lock in free bags
If you want to avoid these new charges, act quickly.
Only flights booked before May 28 will honor the airline’s traditional free bag policy. As USA Today reports, this is your final opportunity to secure the long-standing perk before it disappears.
Flight credit policy gets less generous too
Southwest’s changes don’t stop with baggage fees. Starting May 28, flight credits will once again come with expiration dates, ranging from six months to one year, depending on the fare type.
This marks a reversal of the airline’s no-expiration policy introduced three years ago, a move USA Today notes set Southwest apart during the pandemic recovery.
Why Southwest is making these changes
Southwest announced these policy changes in March, citing increasing pressure from activist investors to improve financial performance.
The airline estimates the new bag fees could generate about $1.5 billion in annual revenue. However, USA Today reports that Southwest also acknowledges the potential downside — losing up to $1.8 billion in business from loyal customers who valued the airline’s free baggage allowance.
More changes coming to Southwest’s model
The end of free checked bags is just one part of Southwest’s evolving business model. As USA Today reports, the airline is also phasing out several other distinctive policies that once set it apart:
- Last July, Southwest announced plans to sell assigned seats, moving away from its long-standing open seating model where passengers choose their seats upon boarding.
- In April, the airline previewed new seating options, including the choice to pay for extra legroom.
- Customers can book these new fare bundles starting in the third quarter of 2025 for flights in 2026.
Despite potential disappointment from loyal travelers, investors appear to support the shift, Southwest’s stock rose 2.1% in pre-market trading following the announcement.
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