It's time to say goodbye to a staple and key selling point for one of the world's leading airlines.
As previously announced, Southwest Airlines will begin charging for checked bags on flights booked from Wednesday, May 28.
While Rapid Rewards loyalty program members who are A-List tier, Southwest credit card holders and passengers flying business fare will continue to receive two free checked bags, others will be charged $35 for their first checked item and $45 for the second.
A third piece of checked luggage will cost $150.
While the practice of charging for bags and Southwest's fees are on par with the rest of the industry, this week's dramatic shift is seismic in that the Dallas-based low-cost carrier had offered free checked bags since its inception nearly six decades ago.
The change will be a frustrating one for some travelers, but it is poised to help Southwest improve its financials. After all, the carrier pulled in $83 million in baggage fees last year. By comparison, the remaining Big Four airlinesAmerican, Delta and Unitedraked in anywhere from $1 billion to $1.5 billion in baggage fees in 2024.
Southwest Airlines plane landing at Baltimore/Washington International Airport. (Photo Credit: Patrick Clarke)
Unfortunately for those travelers who grew to love Southwest and have remained loyal to the unconventional airline, the carrier is quickly conforming in a bid to remain competitive and appease investors.
Charging for checked bags is just one of many dramatic steps Southwest is taking to improve its bottom line. The airline will introduce assigned seating in 2026 after research showed its unique open seating policy was turning off travelers.
Southwest will also retrofit its aircraft to offer more legroom for passengers willing to pay more for a ticket.
Optimists and the airline itself will argue that Southwest is simply giving customers more choice and while that's true, the simplicity of booking a Southwest ticket and feeling like you were getting the most for your money is what made the carrier stand out.
This week marks a monumental shift in terms of the Southwest identity and it'll be fascinating to see how travelers respond.
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