when does southwest start charging for checked bags

June 28, 2026

Southwest starts charging for most checked bags on May 28, 2025.

Key details

The longtime “bags fly free” policy ends for most travelers starting May 28, 2025.

For flights booked on or after that date, the first checked bag is $35 and the second is $45 for standard fares.

Bookings made before May 28, 2025 keep the old free‑bags benefit, even if you fly later, as long as the reservation isn’t changed.

Who still gets free checked bags?

Business Select / Choice Extra / A-List Preferred : Two free checked bags.

A-List and Southwest credit card holders : One free checked bag.

Basic, Wanna Get Away Plus, and Anytime fares now pay the new baggage fees.

Quick HTML summary table

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Question</th>
      <th>Answer</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>When does Southwest start charging for checked bags?</td>
      <td>For most customers, checked bag fees begin on May 28, 2025.[web:1][web:3][web:5][web:7]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>How much does the first checked bag cost?</td>
      <td>$35 for the first checked bag on eligible fares.[web:1][web:3][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>How much does the second checked bag cost?</td>
      <td>$45 for the second checked bag on eligible fares.[web:1][web:3][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Do any passengers still get free checked bags?</td>
      <td>Yes. Business Select/Choice Extra and A-List Preferred get two free bags; A-List and Southwest credit card holders get one free bag.[web:1][web:3][web:7]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>What about tickets booked before May 28, 2025?</td>
      <td>Reservations booked before May 28, 2025 keep free checked bags, unless voluntarily changed after that date.[web:3][web:5][web:7]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.