Southwest Airlines is ending its free checked bag policy for most passengers.
The airline will begin charging flyers for checked bags on May 28, 2025, for the first time in the company’s history.
“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect,” said Bob Jordan, President, Chief Executive Officer, & Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines in a release. “We will do all this while remaining focused on what’s made us strong—our People and the authentic, friendly, and award-winning Customer Service only they can provide.”
A-List Preferred Members and those traveling on Business Select fares will still be able to check two bags for free.
A-List Members and other select members, along with Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers, will get one free checked bag under the new policy.
All other flyers will have to pay for their checked bags.
The airline hasn’t released how much checked bags will cost flyers.
This follows Southwest’s announcement of another major change last year, in which the airline said it would begin assigning seats to flyers and ditch the open-boarding system.
