Uncovering Southwest Baggage Fees

Have you ever heard an airline official say 0 dollars when you ask about the baggage fee? If not, get ready to hear it; unless you are not exceeding the permitted size or weight, you do not have to pay a single penny out of your pockets.

If you frequently travel by plane, you must know how costly your air journey can get just by adding a single item more in your luggage. However, things are different with Southwest Airlines. If you have ever traveled with this air carrier, you may be surprised to know for the first time that they charge nothing for carrying luggage on your flight.

If you find it hard to believe, see for yourself through this comprehensive guide, which captures all the details about Southwest baggage fee guidelines.

Southwest Baggage Fees

Southwest Airlines is the most generous with its passengers when it comes to carrying luggage on its airships. Travelers venturing with this air carrier get the liberty to bring plentiful belongings with a minimal flight fare.

Checked Bags

You can bring two checked bags on a single Southwest ticket without needing to pay any additional charges.

Just make sure your luggage doesn’t exceed the following criteria; otherwise, you may incur a penalty.

• The weight of your luggage shouldn’t exceed 50 pounds.
• The size of your bags should be 62 inches long, tall, and wide.
• If carrying more than 2 bags, you have to pay $150 for each.

In case your bags go beyond the set limit, you will be bound to pay an extra charge as follows:

• Oversize Bag: $200/ bag
• Overweight Bag:
  • $150 per bag (51 – 70 lbs.)
  • $200 per bag (71 – 100 lbs.)

Carry On Bags

Southwest generosity towards its passengers isn’t limited to checked bags only. You can also bring one carry-on and one personal item at no extra cost on your flight.

They should have the following specifications:

• Carry On Bag:
  • It includes items such as a roller bag, a small suitcase, etc.
  • It should fit in the overhead bin.
  • The bag should be 24” long, 16” wide, and 10” tall.
  • The size limitations for your carry-on include any wheels, handles, and attachments, if any.
• Personal Item:
  • It includes any purse, laptop case, briefcase, backpack, pillows and blankets, small camera, etc.
  • The item should fit under your seat.

(Note: If traveling with a pet, keep in mind that your pet carrier is counted as a personal item or carry-on.)

Can You Carry Sports Equipment?

You can bring sports equipment that will be counted as one checked piece of baggage. This means there will be no additional charges on it. However, to prevent attracting extra costs, it shouldn’t exceed the allowed checked baggage limit.

You can bring equipment such as:

• Archery tools: bows, arrows, average-sized targets, etc.
• Baseball and softball equipment: bats, helmets, cleats, uniforms, gloves, etc.
• Non-motorized bicycles
• Bowling bags
• Fishing tackle box and fishing rod
• Parachutes
• SCUBA apparatus
• Non-motorized skateboards and scooters
• Tennis, golf, hockey equipment
• Snow ski and water ski instruments

Fees For Carrying Special Items

Are you carrying anything that is different from general items? For example, any of these.

• Bicycles
• Javelins
• Kayak
• Kiteboard
• Life raft
• Surfboard
• Vaulting poles
• Windsurfing board

Carrying such items on your Southwest flight will be considered as a checked bag. But this time, you have to pay a charge for them. Bringing such special equipment will cost you $75.

Charges For Purchasing Optional Items

When traveling with Southwest Airlines, you can purchase some convenience items at its ticket counters. Here is a list of things you can purchase.

Item	Cost
Tote Bag	$25 per bag
Wax Box	$10 per box
Wine/Beer Bag	$5 per bag
Pet Carrier	$58 per carrier
Car Seat/Stroller Bag	$17 per bag

Prepare For Your Southwest Flight

This is it! You have scanned through the essential baggage guidelines of the Southwest Airlines. Now, you can pack your luggage properly for your next air tours with this airline. When setting up your backpacks, be mindful of what items you are putting, how much they weigh, and how big are they. 

If you want to fly affordably with Southwest Airlines, determining its baggage specifications is crucial. It will prevent you from attracting additional penalties thus keeping your airfares low.

Common Questions