After more than 50 years of letting passengers check bags for free, Southwest Airlines is officially changing its tune. Starting Wednesday, May 28, the popular “Bags Fly Free” policy will be replaced with new fees that travelers need to prepare for.
Under the updated policy, Southwest customers will now pay $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for the second. The change applies to all new bookings and also to any flight changes made on or after May 28—even if the trip was originally purchased before the announcement.
The move aligns Southwest with the rest of the airline industry, where most major carriers have long charged passengers for checked luggage. The airline says the decision is part of a broader push to stay competitive and increase revenue.
To keep some perks in place for frequent flyers, Southwest confirmed that Business Select, Choice Extra passengers, and Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members will still receive two free checked bags. Standard A-List members and those with Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards will continue to get one free checked bag.
Previously, Southwest was known for allowing up to four free items per passenger—including a carry-on, personal item, and two checked bags. That made it a go-to option for travelers looking to avoid extra fees.
Now, that competitive edge is taking a hit. However, the airline is introducing a cheaper Basic fare on the same day that the bag fees go into effect, which may appeal to budget-conscious travelers willing to trade flexibility for savings.
In a twist, rival carrier Frontier Airlines has responded by offering free checked bags on select summer flights, clearly aiming to attract Southwest customers who may feel burned by the change.
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