Southwest Airways has revealed how a lot checked baggage will price clients, because the provider’s new charges go into impact this week. And it will look fairly much like different airways.
Beginning on Wednesday, Southwest will cost most passengers $35 for his or her first checked bag, an airline spokesperson confirmed to TPG early Tuesday.
That is consistent with the bag charges at present assessed by many of the different giant U.S. carriers.
Passengers can pay $45 for his or her second checked bag on Southwest.
The brand new charges will apply to flights booked from Might 28 onward, which implies vacationers who already booked a summer time journey will get to benefit from the airline’ “baggage fly free” coverage on that journey, and on some other current bookings. Plus, any bookings made by the top of the day on Might 27 would even be eligible without spending a dime baggage — so if you already know your journey plans for later this yr, and even the vacations, you may take into account locking in that flight by the top of the day Tuesday.
Tips on how to get free baggage on Southwest
Past that, Southwest has laid out just a few new methods passengers will be capable to retain free baggage when flying with the airline:
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- Passengers who e-book the provider’s highest-level Enterprise Choose fare will get two free baggage. Later this yr, Enterprise Choose will turn out to be “Selection Additional” when Southwest begins promoting assigned seating for 2026. This fare class will finally embody entry to the provider’s new additional legroom seats.
- Speedy Rewards members who earn A-Checklist Most well-liked elite standing will nonetheless get two free checked baggage.
- A-Checklist members will get one free bag.
- All Southwest Speedy Rewards cobranded Chase credit score cardholders will get one free checked bag.
Why is Southwest ending baggage fly free?
Southwest is essentially following within the footsteps of its prime opponents within the costs it set for it first-ever bag charges.
Amongst different airways, the “huge three” community airways (American Airways, Delta Air Traces and United Airways) every cost $35 for the primary checked bag, although in some circumstances it’s important to meet sure standards to get that worth — comparable to paying in your bag forward of time.
It is the most recent instance of Southwest making a transfer to look way more like its opponents, from ditching its two free baggage coverage that largely stood alone within the U.S. airline trade, to ending its hallmark open seating coverage and overhauling its one-of-a-kind boarding coverage.
In making the transfer, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan cited a necessity to spice up the airline’s earnings, which have been lackluster lately.
Final yr, executives mentioned Southwest’s free baggage coverage was among the many prime causes clients selected to fly the airline over its opponents.
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