how many carry on bags allowed on southwest
You’re allowed 1 carry-on bag plus 1 personal item on Southwest Airlines.
Quick Scoop: Southwest Carry-on Rules
- Carry-on bags allowed:
- 1 standard carry-on for the overhead bin.
* 1 personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.
So in total, Southwest’s policy is effectively “1 + 1” : one larger carry- on and one smaller personal item per passenger.
Typical size limits (recent guides)
- Carry-on bag (overhead bin): up to about 24 x 16 x 10 inches.
- Personal item (under-seat): around 16–18.5 inches on the long side, sized to fit fully under the seat.
There is usually no set weight limit for carry-on bags, but you must be able to lift them into the overhead bin yourself.
Mini FAQ
- Can I bring two full-size carry-on suitcases?
No. Only one overhead-bin carry-on is allowed; the second item must be a smaller personal item.
- Do backpacks count as carry-on or personal item?
Smaller backpacks that fit under the seat usually count as a personal item ; larger hiking-style packs are treated as the main carry-on.
- Do I also get free checked bags?
Southwest is known for allowing two checked bags free per ticketed passenger under standard size/weight limits, though fee details have some updates after May 28, 2025.
Always double-check your specific flight’s baggage page during booking, since airlines can tweak size, fee, or checked-bag rules over time.
TL;DR: For “how many carry on bags allowed on Southwest,” the current standard is 1 carry-on bag in the overhead + 1 personal item under the seat , per person.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
