Southwest began charging for checked baggage on May 28, 2025 , for newly booked tickets.

Quick Scoop: When is Southwest charging for baggage?

For decades, Southwest’s whole identity was “Bags Fly Free.” That changed in 2025, and the new checked bag fees now apply across its network for most passengers.

Key dates and what they mean

  • Policy announcement: Southwest announced in March 2025 that it would end its long‑running free checked bag policy.
  • Fees go into effect:
    • May 28, 2025 is when standard checked bag fees start applying to new bookings.
* If you **booked (or changed) your reservation on or before May 27, 2025** , Southwest states that your first two checked bags on that reservation **remain free of standard checked bag fees**.
  • Today’s reality (2026): As of early 2026 , Southwest’s checked bag fees are in full effect for current bookings made after the May 28, 2025 cutoff.

How much are the new Southwest baggage fees?

For most non‑elite customers, Southwest now charges:

  • First checked bag: $35 per direction.
  • Second checked bag: $45 per direction.
  • Overweight bags (51–70 lbs): +$100 on top of the standard bag fee.
  • Overweight (71–100 lbs): +$200 on top of the standard bag fee.
  • Oversized bags (over 62" up to 80"): +$200 per item, again plus the standard bag fee.

Carry‑on and personal items (within size limits) still do not incur a standard baggage fee.

Who still gets free checked bags?

Southwest built in several carve‑outs so some customers still get free checked baggage:

  • Business Select / Choice Extra fares:
    • Two free checked bags.
  • A‑List Preferred members:
    • Two free checked bags.
  • A‑List members & eligible Southwest/Chase co‑branded credit card holders:
    • One free checked bag.
  • Legacy bookings:
    • Any reservation booked or changed on or before May 27, 2025 keeps the old “two free checked bags” rule for that trip.

So, whether you personally pay depends on when you booked and what fare / status / card you have.

Forum & “trending” angle: why this became such a big deal

Once people realized that “Bags Fly Free” was ending, the topic exploded across travel blogs, Reddit, and news comment sections because it felt like Southwest was giving up what made it different from every other carrier.

Common viewpoints you see in discussions:

  • Frequent Southwest loyalists:
    • Feel that this undercuts the airline’s identity and say they’ll fly Southwest less often now that bag fees are in line with competitors.
  • Price‑watchers and deal hunters:
    • Point out that if base fares drop or promos stack, Southwest could still be cheaper even with $35–$45 bag fees, especially versus legacy carriers that may charge more for bags or other extras.
  • Credit card & status fans:
    • Emphasize that certain Southwest co‑branded cards and elite tiers soften the blow by keeping one or two checked bags free.

A typical sentiment from forum threads in mid‑2025 sounded like:

“I loved Southwest because my bags flew free. Now I have to do the same math I do with every other airline.”

Practical tips if you’re flying Southwest soon

If your main question is “Will my bags be charged, and when?” here’s how to quickly check:

  1. Look at your booking date.
    • Booked or last changed on/before May 27, 2025 → your first two checked bags on that reservation should still be free, subject to usual weight/size rules.
 * Booked **on/after May 28, 2025** → standard checked bag fees likely apply unless you qualify for an exemption.
  1. Check your fare type and status.
    • If it’s Business Select/Choice Extra or you’re A‑List Preferred , you may still get two free checked bags.
 * If you’re **A‑List** or have an eligible Southwest/Chase credit card, look for at least one free checked bag.
  1. Pack to avoid overweight/oversize fees.
    • Keep each checked bag at or under 50 lbs and within 62 inches (L+W+H) to avoid heavy surcharges on top of the new base bag fee.

TL;DR:

  • Southwest started charging standard checked baggage fees for new reservations on May 28, 2025.
  • Today, in 2026, most tickets booked now will pay $35 for the first and $45 for the second checked bag, unless you booked before the cutoff, have certain elite status, or use specific Southwest/Chase cards that still include free checked bags.

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