Last updated: 29 October 2026.
Prices are in US dollars (USD), one way, per checked bag.
Cabin baggage
- Carry-on bag
- 1 bag free, up to 10 x 16 x 24 in (25 x 41 x 61 cm) external dimensions: roller bag, garment bag or tote
- Personal item
- 1 smaller item free (purse, briefcase, laptop case, backpack, small camera) that goes under a seat or in the overhead locker
- Southwest states no weight limit for the carry-on bag.
- Each pet carrier counts as your carry-on or personal item.
- Strollers, car seats and wheelchairs follow Southwest's help-center rules.
Checked baggage
A standard bag is up to 62 in (157 cm) in length plus width plus height, including wheels and handles, and up to 50 lb (23 kg). A passenger may check up to 20 pieces per flight. Southwest has embargoes on oversized, overweight and extra bags for some international destinations.
Does the price depend on when you pay?
Fees depend on when you book and the fare. Southwest raised its bag fees for tickets booked or changed on or after 9 April 2026. You can pay when you check in online (from 24 hours before departure), at a self-tagging kiosk or at the ticket counter. Fees for overweight or oversized bags at the airport must be paid with a physical credit card, not tap to pay or mobile payment.
Free bags by fare and status (US mainland)
Basic
- Carry-on + personal item
- Free
- 1st checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- $45
- 2nd checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- $55
- Before 9 Apr 2026
- $35 and $45
Choice
- Carry-on + personal item
- Free
- 1st checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- $45
- 2nd checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- $55
- Before 9 Apr 2026
- $35 and $45
Choice Preferred
- Carry-on + personal item
- Free
- 1st checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- $45
- 2nd checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- $55
- Before 9 Apr 2026
- $35 and $45
Choice Extra
- Carry-on + personal item
- Free
- 1st checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- Free
- 2nd checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- Free
- Before 9 Apr 2026
- Free
Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred
- Carry-on + personal item
- Free
- 1st checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- Free (and up to 8 passengers on the booking)
- 2nd checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- Free (and up to 8 passengers)
- Before 9 Apr 2026
- Free
Rapid Rewards A-List
- Carry-on + personal item
- Free
- 1st checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- Free (and up to 8 passengers)
- 2nd checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- $35 (up to 8 passengers on the booking)
- Before 9 Apr 2026
- First free, second $35
Rapid Rewards credit cardmember
- Carry-on + personal item
- Free
- 1st checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- Free (card holder and up to 8 passengers; add your Rapid Rewards number)
- 2nd checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- $55
- Before 9 Apr 2026
- First free, second $45
Active-duty military with ID
- Carry-on + personal item
- Free
- 1st checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- Free
- 2nd checked bag (booked from 9 Apr 2026)
- Free
- Before 9 Apr 2026
- Free
- Bag fees are charged on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred tickets. Choice Extra and A-List Preferred members get two free bags, while A-List members and credit cardmembers get just the first bag free.
- Free-bag benefits do not extend to tickets sold by a partner carrier. Group bookings made from 18 April 2026 pay the new fees.
- When a Companion Pass holder earns one or two free bags, the companion receives the same benefit.
- Holiday packages from Getaways by Southwest include the first and second checked bags free for every traveller.
Interisland Hawaii (flights starting and ending in Hawaii)
Hawaii residents (with Rapid Rewards number)
- 1st bag
- Free
- 2nd bag
- Free
- 3rd bag
- $50
Non-residents, booked from 9 Apr 2026
- 1st bag
- $30
- 2nd bag
- $40
- 3rd bag
- $50
Non-residents, booked before 9 Apr 2026
- 1st bag
- $15
- 2nd bag
- $20
- 3rd bag
- $50
A-List Preferred (non-resident)
- 1st bag
- Free
- 2nd bag
- Free
- 3rd bag
- $50
A-List (non-resident)
- 1st bag
- Free
- 2nd bag
- $15
- 3rd bag
- $50
Rapid Rewards credit cardmember (non-resident)
- 1st bag
- Free
- 2nd bag
- $40 ($20 before 9 Apr 2026)
- 3rd bag
- $50
Active-duty military
- 1st bag
- Free
- 2nd bag
- Free
- 3rd bag
- Free
Extra, oversize and overweight bags
3rd and later checked bag
- US mainland
- $150
- Interisland Hawaii
- $50
Oversized, 63 to 80 in
- US mainland
- $200 + the standard bag fee
- Interisland Hawaii
- $35 + standard fee
Overweight, 51 to 70 lb
- US mainland
- $100 + standard fee
- Interisland Hawaii
- $35 + standard fee
Overweight, 71 to 100 lb
- US mainland
- $200 + standard fee
- Interisland Hawaii
- $70 + standard fee
Oversized and overweight (up to 100 lb)
- US mainland
- $200 + standard fee (one charge only)
- Interisland Hawaii
- $100 + standard fee
Special baggage
Sports equipment
Treated as a standard bag. Oversize (63 to 115 in) is waived, but overweight fees apply: 51 to 70 lb $100 and 71 to 100 lb $200 on the mainland, plus the standard fee. If you qualify for free bags, the equipment counts as one of them. The Help Center lists accepted items.
Musical instruments
Standard bag fees apply, oversize up to 150 in is waived, overweight 51 to 70 lb $100 and 71 to 165 lb $200 plus the standard fee.
Large media and camera equipment
Standard fees for the first two, a third and later bag is $75; oversize up to 110 in and overweight up to 100 lb are waived.
Pets
Small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs can fly in the cabin in an approved carrier for $125 per carrier one way on the mainland ($35 between the Hawaiian islands). The carrier counts as your carry-on or personal item.
Items sold at the ticket desk
Tote bag $25, wax box $10, wine or beer bag $5, car seat or stroller bag $17, pet carrier $58.
Questions travellers ask us
Are bags free on Southwest?
Not any more on the cheaper fares: since 9 April 2026 the first bag is $45 and the second $55 on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred. Choice Extra, A-List Preferred members and military get them free.
How much cabin baggage can I take?
One carry-on (10 x 16 x 24 in) and one personal item, both free, with no weight limit stated.
How much is a third bag?
$150 on the mainland plus the standard fee, and $50 between the Hawaiian islands.
What is the heaviest bag?
50 lb (23 kg) for a standard bag. Bags of 51 to 100 lb pay the overweight fee, and nothing over 100 lb is accepted.
Can I carry sports gear?
Yes as a standard bag, with oversize fees waived up to 115 in.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of Southwest Airlines.
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