Most Southwest passengers no longer get “bags fly free” for checked bags, but everyone still gets free carry‑on, and some travelers still get up to two checked bags free depending on fare and status.

Quick Scoop: How Many Bags Fly Free on Southwest Now?

As of the policy changes that kicked in around late May 2025, you need to think of Southwest in two layers:

  1. what’s always free for everyone, and
  2. who still gets free checked bags.

1. What’s ALWAYS free for everyone

For all standard tickets booked under the current rules:

  • One carry‑on bag flies free (overhead‑bin size, roughly 24″ x 16″ x 10″).
  • One personal item (like a backpack, purse, or laptop bag that fits under the seat) also flies free.

So even if you get zero free checked bags, you still effectively have two free items you can bring on board: one carry‑on + one personal item.

2. Checked bags: who still gets them free?

Southwest used to give two free checked bags to everyone , but that broad “bags fly free” promise has ended for most lower‑tier fares booked on or after late May 2025. Now, free checked bags are more of a perk for premium fares and loyal customers.

Here’s the simplified picture of how many checked bags can still fly free under the current style of policy:

A) People who can still get two checked bags free

These travelers generally get up to 2 checked bags free (plus the free carry‑on and personal item):

  • Top‑tier frequent flyers (for example, Rapid Rewards A‑List Preferred).
  • Highest‑tier/premium fares (like Business Select or similar “Choice Extra” type fares).
  • Certain special categories on specific routes (for example, some Hawaii inter‑island residents and special packages can still get 2 bags free on those itineraries).

If you’re in this group, you’re the closest to the old “bags fly free” experience:

  • 2 checked bags free
  • 1 free carry‑on
  • 1 free personal item

B) People who get one checked bag free

These travelers typically get 1 checked bag free (plus carry‑on + personal item free):

  • A‑List (non‑Preferred) frequent flyers on many routes.
  • Southwest/Rapid Rewards credit card holders on qualifying tickets. Some co‑branded credit cards give the cardholder and several companions (often up to 8 on the same reservation) their first checked bag free.

In practice, that means a family can still check at least one bag each at no cost if they’re all on the same reservation with the cardholder.

C) Everyone else: usually zero checked bags free

For most standard fares bought after the 2025 changeover—think basic / “Wanna Get Away” / similar core economy‑type tickets—checked bags no longer fly free :

  • First checked bag: around $35.
  • Second checked bag: around $45.

You still get the free carry‑on and personal item, but checked bags are now a paid extra unless you’re in one of the groups above.

A good rule of thumb:

  • No status and no Southwest card? Expect to pay for checked bags on most newer tickets.
  • Have status or a co‑branded card, or bought a premium fare? You may still get 1–2 checked bags free.

3. How this compares to the old “Bags Fly Free” slogan

Before the 2025 shift, the answer to “how many bags fly free on Southwest?” was easy:

  • Two checked bags per person, plus a carry‑on and personal item at no extra charge, on almost every fare.

Now, that universal promise is gone. The airline still advertises generous baggage compared with some competitors (because carry‑on + personal item are still free, and elites/premium travelers keep their free checked bags), but most casual travelers on cheaper tickets no longer get two checked bags free by default.

4. Practical tips before you book

If you’re trying to decide what you’ll actually pay or what “flies free” for you:

  1. Check your exact fare type and travel date. Older tickets (bought before the policy switch) often still honor the old two‑bag rule, but new ones don’t.
  1. Log into your Rapid Rewards account. See whether you have A‑List or A‑List Preferred; that can be the difference between 0, 1, or 2 free checked bags.
  1. Look at your Southwest credit card perks. Many co‑branded cards include a free first checked bag for you and several companions on the same reservation.
  1. Pack strategically for carry‑on. Because your carry‑on and personal item are still free, careful packing can avoid checked‑bag fees entirely on short trips.

Bottom line answer to your question:

  • For most new, lower‑tier Southwest tickets today, 0 checked bags fly free (but 1 carry‑on + 1 personal item do).
  • If you have the right fare or status , you can still get 1 or even 2 checked bags free per person.

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