Your Complete Guide to the Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy

Understanding Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy

Whether you are a lightweight packer or someone who needs to pack in a second or even a third bag, knowing your baggage policy helps you understand exactly how much baggage allowance is free. If you have traveled with various airlines, you would know that baggage policies are a mixed bag-some almost seem to charge you for everything, whereas others seem quite traveler-friendly. This is what makes Southwest Airlines a bit different.

In this guide, we will take you through everything that involves Southwest Airlines' baggage policy, be it carry-ons, personal items, size limitations on checked bags, or overweight fees. Let's get everything straight before these policies hit you hard at the airport.

What are the regulations of Southwest Airlines' baggage policy? 

Packing bags is the essential part of any trip, whether you are taking a short trip or a long trip. Packing properly can make or break your whole experience. Having knowledge of the Southwest Airlines baggage policy can assist you in packing wisely and reaching the airport on time. This policy will help a traveler know about Southwest Airlines' luggage allowance rules for carry-on bags, checked bags, personal items, and all other baggage regulations.

 Let’s start with some common points of this policy: 

• Southwest airlines provides permission to bring one carry-on bag and one personal bag free of charge. 
• Pet carriers are treated as either carry-ons or personal items. 
• Under the Southwest Airlines free checked bag policy, any passenger booked in business class shall be entitled to two checked bags at zero rates. 
• Passengers can bring sports equipment and other special items.
• No passenger shall be allowed to bring a bag weighing over 100 pounds and measuring 81 linear inches. 
• Only under special or medical cases can it be allowed. Sports equipment might be bigger, but it can never weigh more than that. 

What are the regulations for different luggage options? 

Southwest Airlines baggage size regulations accept different sized bags, like a small bag with personal stuff which can be put under your front seat called a personal item, a carry-on bag which is taken on-board and is small enough to get placed on the overhead bins, and a big checked bag that will be checked in at the ticket counter and placed in the cargo. Here are the sizes and other bag regulations: 

Personal item: 

Southwest Airlines does not specify any recommended Southwest Airlines personal item size. However, you must still make sure the item fits under the seat. 

No prohibited or hazardous material is accepted onboard the flight; for instance, parents with infants may carry breast pumps, milk coolers, and other such allowed materials. 

Carry-On Items: 

Regulations for Southwest Airlines carry-on baggagesize set limits on both weight and size.

 The rules of the airline are as follows: 

• Southwest Airlines' carry-on restrictions specify that its size should not be more than 24x16x10 inches, including the handles and attachments. 
• If the carry-on is bigger than the overhead bin by Southwest, it will be gate-checked. 
• It can be a small suitcase, a roller bag, or practically anything else.

Checked baggage:

Southwest Airlines' checked baggage policy stipulates that any passenger who checks bags must ensure that such bags fit within the dimensions and weight limits prescribed, or else pay the fees. 

• The dimensions of a checked bag may not exceed 62 linear inches in total, a measure that consists of the wheel and handle. 
• Southwest Airlines' charge weight limit for checked baggage states that the bag should weigh less than 50 lbs, or else charges will be due for its carriage. 
• Business select passengers can check in two bags without any charges. 
• A-list preferred members are allowed to check in two bags. 
• Rapid Rewards credit card members and Rapid Rewards A-List members can check in one bag free of charge.

What are the regulations for International destinations?

Here are some standard regulations if you are traveling to international destinations: 

• Depending on the destination, there may be restrictions on the baggage limits at certain times of the year.
• Usually, baggage embargoes are imposed in the peak season, in summer, and during winter holidays, so that every passenger can get an equal allowance. 
• Destinations like the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, and San Jose (Costa Rica) have temporary baggage embargoes.
• The embargo period is from November 15 to January 15 each year.
• Jamaica has an additional embargo period from August 15 to September 15.
• During embargoes, only two checked bags are allowed per passenger.
• Bags exceeding 62 linear inches or 100 pounds are not allowed to be carried.
• Also, no sort of boxes, containers, or ice chests shall be permitted during this time.
• The embargo does not apply to passengers with disabilities.
• Parents with an infant can check in one stroller and one child restraint system for every child. 

For Cuba:

• No extra, oversized, or overweight baggage at any time of year.
• You can bring up to two checked bags. Each bag must weigh under 50 pounds and have a total size of no more than 62 inches when the length, width, and height are combined.
• No boxes are permitted, TVs and air conditioners are permitted if in original packaging and within size restrictions.
• Wrapping bags is prohibited.

How to add an extra baggage allowance? 

Southwest Airlines' carry-on baggage regulations offer a step-by-step way of adding a bag. Passengers can add an additional baggage allowance during online booking, after booking, and while checking in. Here is what one needs to do:

Open the Southwest Airlines mobile app or website.

• Then select the My Trip option.
• Enter your details to access the booking.
• Next, select Add Baggage and follow the instructions.
• Complete payment to raise your baggage allowance.

Offline process:

If you prefer not to go through the online process, then you can add baggage through offline methods: 

• You can contact Southwest Airlines through their chatbox.
• Customer service number, 
• or other means, 

they will assist you in adding your baggage allowances.

What are the fees for bringing an extra bag?

Southwest Airlines' checked baggage fees vary based on the fare option you book and the allowance you get. Here are the fees for carrying checked bags: 

Checked Baggage Fees (Standard Fees)

• Regular Passengers:

• First checked bag: $35
• Second checked bag: $45
• Third checked bag: $150

• Rapid Rewards A-List Members:

• First checked bag: Free
• Second checked bag: $35
• Third checked bag: $150

• Rapid Rewards Credit Card Members:

• First checked bag: Free
• Second checked bag: $45
• Third checked bag: $150

Southwest Airlines' baggage fees for checked baggage are different, and the charges for overweight and oversized bags are different if you are carrying a checked bag more than allowance, and it is oversized or overweight, then you have to pay charges for both:

• Oversized Bags

• Linear inches between 63–80 inches: +$200

• Overweight Bags

• 51–70 pounds: +$100
• 71–100 pounds: +$200

• Important Notes

• Oversize and overweight fees are charged separately from the standard amount. 
• No bag whose weight is more than 100 lbs and size is more than 80 linear inches is allowed to be carried inside the flight. 

What are the special military baggage regulations? 

Additional Southwest Airlines baggage allowance is provided to military personnel. As a form of gratitude, airlines provide extra baggage allowances to military personnel traveling for personal and professional reasons. Here are the allowances: 

• Military personnel are allowed to take two checked bags with them, irrespective of which fare option they are traveling in. 
• They are allowed to carry a bag under 100 lbs in weight and 80 linear inches in size, without paying overweight and oversized charges. 
• Bags above these dimensions and weight are not allowed to be brought. 
• Any family member who is traveling with them will get a normal allowance, even if they are on the same reservation. 
• They have to show their military ID as proof, which also has their photo on it. 
• Only the active uniformed duty members are permitted for this allowance. 

What items are restricted by the airlines?

Southwest Airlines' baggage policy restricts passengers from carrying items that can cause harm to passengers through any means. That’s why they have provided this list of items that are restricted: 

• Any sharp object that can harm, like scissors, a blade, a knife, or a sharp-ended object. 
• Any item that can cause flame or catch fire, like fireworks, a lighter, a bomb, and items like a gun and gun powder. 
• No drugs, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes shall be carried onto the aircraft. The passenger shall be refused boarding and may be arrested if found holding such an item. 
• Items like insecticide, pesticide, and liquid items that are considered dangerous are not allowed to be carried on the flight. 

If you want detailed information about the items that are denied for carriage, kindly open the TSA website.

What are the special items I can carry? 

Southwest Airlines' carry-on baggage limit has been fixed, but in some cases, airlines allow their passengers to carry some special items with them: 

• Southwest Airlines baggage allowances include special items that any passenger may have, with carry-on or checked baggage being permitted; notification at the check-in counter must be given. 
• A passenger suffering from a medical condition may carry an assistive device or oxygen, either as carry-on or checked baggage, whichever is more convenient for them. 
• Sports equipment or musical instruments may be carried, but only as checked baggage. 
• Alcohol bottles can be carried in a checked bag if they are sealed and meet certain conditions. 
• Lithium batteries, dry batteries, fuel cells, and hoverboard batteries are allowed, subject to TSA regulations.
• Carry knives and blades in the checked baggage, but stoves and fuel cylinders are allowed only in their original packaging, or empty and unused. 
• After a proper security check has been completed, cremated remains can be taken onboard. However, they cannot be packed in the checked bags.