Your Complete Guide to Southwest Airlines Baggage Allowance

Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy: Your Ultimate Guide

When packing for a personal trip or a business trip, we excitedly pack a little extra. However, packing without knowing the baggage allowance can be costly, as it will waste both time and money, and can also affect your mood. That’s why Southwest Airlines has designed this immensely customer-friendly baggage policy. In this policy, we outline the dimensions and weight restrictions for personal items, checked bags, and carry-on bags. And every other regulation related to baggage. Read the Southwest Airlines baggage policy in detail in this guide and have a seamless start to your trip.

What is Southwest Airlines' baggage policy?

Traveling with Southwest for the very first time? Southwest Airlines' baggage policy provides all the regulations related to carrying baggage. This policy is designed to provide passengers with comfort. This policy provides detailed information on baggage regulations, restrictions, and the addition process. Here are some rules regarding baggage before diving deep into the policy:

• Passengers are permitted to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item free of charge.
• A pet carrier will be treated as either a carry-on bag or a personal item.
• Southwest Airlines' free checked bag policy allows any passenger traveling in business class to bring two checked bags without extra charges.
• Passengers are allowed to bring sports equipment and other special items.
• No passenger is allowed to carry a bag that weighs more than 100 lbs and is more than 81 linear inches in size.
• Only in some special or medical conditions can it be allowed. Sports equipment can be larger in size but not in weight.

What are the allowed dimensions for different types of baggage?

Southwest Airlines baggage size regulations allow passengers to bring bags of different sizes, like a small bag with personal stuff which can be stay below your front seat called a personal item, a carry-on bag which you can take on board and is small and can get place on the over head bin space, and a big checked bag which will be checked in at the ticket counter and will be placed in the cargo. Here are the sizes and other regulations for bags:

Personal item:

There is no recommended Southwest Airlines personal item size provided by the airline. However, you still need to ensure that the personal item you are carrying fits below your seat.

The personal item must not contain any prohibited or hazardous thing. They can bring a breast pump, milk cooler, and other allowed items if they are traveling with the infant.

Carry-on item:

Southwest Airlines' carry-on size regulation provides us with both weight and size. Here are the rules by the airline:

• Southwest Airlines carry-on dimensions must not exceed 24x16x10 inches, which includes the handles and attachments.
• Southwest Airlines' size of carry-on regulations provide that the bag must fit in the overhead bin; otherwise, it will be gate-checked.
• You can bring a small suitcase, a roller bag, or anything other than that.

Checked baggage:

Southwest Airlines checked bags policy states that any passenger who is bringing a checked bag has to make sure that it follows the dimensions and weight limit provided; otherwise, they have to pay extra charges.

• The checked bags' dimensions must not be more than 62 linear inches in total, which includes the wheel and handle.
• Southwest Airlines' checked bag weight limit must not be more than 50 lbs; otherwise, you have to pay charges to carry it.
• Business select passengers are allowed to carry two checked bags without charges.
• Passengers who are A-list preferred members are allowed to carry two checked bags.
• Passengers who are Rapid Rewards credit card members or Rapid Rewards A-List members can carry one checked bag for free.

What are the regulations for carrying a bag internationally?

There are restrictions on baggage limits for certain destinations throughout the year, and for some destinations, it is only for some time, like summer and winter holidays. This restriction is imposed so that every passenger can get an equal allowance. Here is the provided limit of baggage allowance, and no limit more than this is permitted:

• Destinations like the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, San Jose, Costa Rica, have a temporary baggage embargo.
• Each year, between November 15 and January 15. Jamaica also has an embargo between August 15 and September 15.
• Two checked bags, with a size of up to 62 linear inches and a weight of up to 100 pounds, are allowed.
• Specially abled persons get an exemption from the embargo.
• Passengers traveling with children also get an allowance to check in one stroller and one child restraint system per child.
• No boxes, containers, or ice chests are allowed.

For Cuba:

• For Cuba, no extra, oversized, or overweight baggage is allowed at any time of the year.
• They can carry two checked bags, each weighing under 50 lbs and measuring 62 linear inches in size.
• No boxes are allowed, but TV and air conditioning units can be carried if they are in original packaging and do not exceed the size of 62 linear inches.
• However, no wrapped luggage is allowed for packaging.

How to add baggage to a Southwest flight reservation?

Southwest Airlines' carry-on policy provides a step-by-step process for adding a bag. Passengers can add an extra baggage allowance online during booking, after booking, and while checking in. Here is the step-by-step process:

• Please open the Southwest Airlines mobile application or website.
• Then click on the “My Trip” tab.
• Provide the information to access your reservation.
• Then click on add baggage and follow the instructions.
• Make the payment and you’ll get an extra baggage allowance.

If you are not comfortable with the online method, feel free to connect with Southwest Airlines via chatbox, customer service number, and other modes, and they will help you increase your allowances.

Passengers have the option to add baggage while booking, checking online, or at the airport. If you haven’t purchased the allowance, you will need to pay the charges at the time of checking in your bags.

How much does Southwest charge for checked bags?

Southwest Airlines' baggage fees regulations are different for different ticket types. Here are the fees:

Every passenger is allowed to bring one carry-on and personal item, without paying any charges.

• For carrying a 1st checked bag, passengers have to pay $35.
• For carrying a second checked bag, passengers must pay $45.
• Rapid Rewards A-list members are allowed to carry one checked bag for free; for a second bag, they have to pay $35.
• Rapid Rewards credit card members can carry one checked bag for free; for a second bag, they have to pay $45.

Oversized and overweight bags:

Southwest Airlines' checked baggage fees include some extra charges if your bag is overweight or oversized:

• For bringing 3rd checked bag, passengers have to pay $150.
• If your bag is oversized between 63 and 80 linear inches, you will be charged an additional $200.
• If your bag's weight is between 51-70 lbs, they have to pay $100, with standard fees.
• If your bag weighs between 71 and 100 lbs, you will be charged $200, plus standard fees.

Sometimes the regulations change for some destinations or get updated. Read them at Southwest Airlines.

Military baggage:

Southwest Airlines baggage rules give some exemptions to active duty military personnel.

• Passengers are allowed to bring two checked bags irrespective of the ticket type.
• No oversized and overweight fees are applicable.
• However, they are also not allowed to bring a bag that exceeds 80 linear inches in size or 100 lbs in weight.
• Any family members traveling with them will get a normal allowance.
• They must provide their ID, which includes their photo.
• Only active-duty uniformed service members receive this allowance.

Prohibited items:

Southwest Airlines carry-on restrictions have provided a list of items that are not allowed to be brought on board. Here is the list:

• No traveller is allowed to bring any sharp object, like a blade, knife, or scissors, on board the flight.
• No flammable and hazardous items like guns, gun powder, fireworks, bombs, or any object that catches or produces fire.
• Any drugs, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes are prohibited from being carried on board the flight.
• If any passenger is found holding any item, they will be denied boarding and may end up in custody.
• Any insecticide, pesticide, or liquid item that is marked as hazardous is not allowed to be brought on the plane.
• Please visit the TSA website for detailed information on restricted items.

Special items:

Southwest Airlines baggage allowance regulations provide that any passenger who is in need can carry these special items with them either as a carry-on or a checked item. You have to inform the airlines at the ticket counter:

• Passengers who are suffering from any medical condition can carry an assistive device or oxygen. They can take it as a carry-on or a checked item, as per their need.
• Sports equipment and musical instruments are allowed to be brought, but only as checked-in items.
• Alcohol bottles are allowed to be carried in a checked bag if they are sealed and under certain conditions.
• Lithium battery, dry battery, fuel cells, and hoverboard batteries are allowed, depending on the TSA regulations.
• Camping equipment, such as a knife and blade, can be carried inside the checked bag. However, stoves and fuel cylinders are only allowed if they are in their original package or are empty and unused.
• Cremated remains can be carried on board after a proper security check; no passenger is allowed to carry them in checked baggage.

Track your bag:

Passengers can track their bags by their name, and confirmation or bag number. Southwest Airlines offers this facility to ensure passengers are assured about their bags.