Southwest Airlines bag fees and rules (2026): bags don't fly free anymore
Southwest ended free checked bags on May 28, 2025. The first checked bag now costs about $45 and the second about $55 on most fares, and since January 27, 2026 Southwest assigns seats.
Last checked October 2026. Fees change, so confirm on Southwest baggage help before you fly.
Southwest at a glance
| Personal item | Free |
|---|---|
| Carry-on (overhead bin) | Free |
| 1st checked bag | About $45 on most fares |
| 2nd checked bag | About $55 on most fares |
| Free bags | Included with some higher fares and A-List Preferred status |
| Seating | Assigned seats since January 27, 2026 |
What flying Southwest is like
For decades Southwest was the airline of free bags and open seating. Both ended: bag fees started in 2025, and assigned seating started in January 2026. It still flies only Boeing 737s, keeps a big domestic network, and its flight attendants are famously willing to turn the safety demo into a comedy set.
How to pay less on Southwest
- Check whether your fare or status includes bags before paying for them.
- Choose your seat at booking if seat location matters to you.
- A Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card can include a free first checked bag.
- Southwest's flight credits rules are friendlier than many airlines'. Read them if your plans change.
The JetFools roast
Fifty years of sit anywhere. Now there's a chart, and the regulars are not okay.
Fee creativity
Snack disappointment
Gate change index
The roast and scores are comedy and opinion, not data.
Quick answers
- Do bags still fly free on Southwest?
- No. Southwest started charging for checked bags on May 28, 2025. Most fares now pay about $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second.
- Does Southwest have assigned seats now?
- Yes. Southwest switched to assigned seating on January 27, 2026.
- Is a carry-on free on Southwest?
- Yes, a carry-on and a personal item are still free.
If something goes wrong
Cancelled flight? You may be owed a cash refund. Bumped? You may be owed up to $2,150. Lost bag? There are rules for that too. See your rights as a US air traveler.
Sources: Southwest baggage help and airline fee pages reviewed October 2026.
Other airline guides: Frontier, United, American, Allegiant, or all airlines.
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