Southwest, known for its no-frills service and budget fares, recently made a big announcement for travelers, which may not be good news for many. Until now, Southwest Airlines has provided a free checked baggage allowance for the first two bags per passenger. This has helped travelers save baggage fees and travel economically. All major US airlines follow this baggage policy, but now Southwest has drastically changed the baggage allowance.
From May 28, 2025, checked baggage will no longer be free for travelers. Every passenger must pay for their checked bags according to their standard weight and dimensions. The cost of checked bags has not yet been revealed. Southwest has followed this tradition for more than 50 years, which made it a reliable airline for many, especially budget travelers. But now it seems the airline is all set to say goodbye to the freebies.
This change in checked bags policy is not for Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select fare passengers. They still get to carry checked bags for free. If you are an A-List member, you will be allowed one free checked bag, free of charge. All Rapid Rewards Credit Card members will get a travel credit for one checked bag. The second bag will be charged as per the baggage fee.
With its baggage policy change, Southwest has also planned to bring some major updates, which will be implemented this year. Some of the latest updates are as follows:
- Passengers will now have to pay for assigned or better seats.
- Passengers will get more points for Business Select fares, but the points will be decreased for lower-tier tickets.
- The airline will reduce flexibility for flight credits, which will now expire within one year or earlier from the date of purchase.
However, taking care of the budget-friendly passengers, the airline will introduce a new low-cost fare to save money. This option will be available along with choices for assigned seats and extra legroom.
There is a possibility that all these changes might affect the airline in some way. The airline says that despite the policy changes, it is still committed to providing passengers with excellent service. It has been the best on-time performance airline for 2025, with a completion rate of 98.3% for scheduled flights. Southwest has made this change to boost profitability. The airline aims to stand next to its competitors like Delta, United, and American Airlines by working on customer service and excellent in-flight assistance.
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