Southwest Airlines Ends Free Checked Bag Policy After Decades

NEW YORK — Southwest Airlines is set to introduce checked bag fees starting May 28, 2025, marking the end of a decades-long policy that allowed passengers to check two bags for free. This change comes after the airline’s announcement in March that it would begin charging for checked luggage on new bookings.

Under the new policy, passengers who do not belong to the top tiers of the Rapid Rewards loyalty program, do not purchase a business class ticket, or do not hold a Southwest credit card will face a $35 fee for the first checked bag and a $45 fee for a second checked bag. The airline will continue to offer free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List preferred members and customers on Business Select fares, as well as one free bag for A-List members and other eligible customers.

Southwest Airlines has relied heavily on its free baggage policy to attract customers, but has faced pressures to increase revenue. In September, executives estimated that the new fees could generate $1.5 billion annually, but they also acknowledged potential losses of $1.8 billion from customers who might choose other airlines due to this change.

Alongside the new bag fees, Southwest will ask passengers to keep portable chargers visible while in use, citing safety concerns tied to lithium-ion battery fires. The airline is also moving away from its long-standing open-boarding system to implement assigned seating by next year.

These changes reflect broader pressures from activist investors, including hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, which secured several board seats following negotiations last fall. As part of these financial adjustments, Southwest announced plans in February to cut 1,750 jobs, representing 15% of its corporate workforce, marking the first major layoffs in the company’s 53-year history.