We have some BIG news from the airline industry! Southwest Airlines is changing its checked bag policy. The airline is long known for having one of the best checked bag policies: two free checked bags per passenger. However, that policy won’t be around for much longer!
©Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines announced today that changes to its checked bag policy will apply to flights booked on or after May 28th, 2025. With the change in policy, only certain customers will receive free checked bags. We are breaking it all down for you!
Southwest Airlines has made a huge announcement that could affect your next flight. The airline has decided to adjust its well-loved checked bag policy for flights booked on or after May 28th, 2025.
Southwest Airlines
When the change takes effect, ONLY Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred Members and Customers traveling on Business Select® fares will receive TWO free checked bags. A-List Members and other select Customers will receive ONE free checked bag. Also, Southwest will credit one checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers.
Southwest Cabin
However, all other customers will be charged to check their first and second checked bags. Southwest’s generous baggage policy is a huge positive for many travelers, so we are curious to see how this will affect the airline. In a press release, Southwest stated that they are aiming to “deepen and reward loyalty between Southwest and its most engaged Customers” and “create new opportunities to reach consumers who value fare above everything else.”
Southwest Airplane at MCO
Southwest Airlines will be making A LOT of changes in the coming months. In early 2026, Southwest will be rolling out a new reserved seating service. Southwest has long operated with a boarding group system with an open seating policy, where you choose your seat once you get on board. However, customers will be able to buy assigned seats in the second half of 2025, and the first flights with the new seating policies will be in the first half of 2026.
Southwest Airlines at the Orlando Airport
Southwest Airlines will also be offering premium seating with extra legroom. Additionally, they will also be adjusting the number of Rapid Rewards points customers earn. Customers will earn more when booking Business Select fares, while earning less on Wanna Get Away® and Wanna Get Away Plus® fares.
Southwest Airlines
We will keep an eye out for more travel news, so make sure you stay tuned to DFB!
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Southwest is killing it’s cult-like followers with these changes. The new CEO has no clue. SWA has never been a traditional airline. Why start now?
If they put bag fees in they will be moved to the mix of all other airlines and not the first pick for most of us.
We have been flying Southwest since 1981. We were regulars on the Houston to Dallas and back flights, at least monthly. The marvelous company founded by the late Herb Kelleher is gone. We had been using Southwest as our go-to carrier for domestic flights. We will continue to fly Southwest, but they will no longer be our primary carrier. How sad. I thought with this new nickel and dime approach to checked luggage that Bob Iger must be a Southwest Board member.
Southwest is becoming just like any other airline. The things that made them distinctive (free bags and open seating) are disappearing. What will make them stand out from the others now? Nothing!
Very sad about these changes, I have a Southwest card and normally fly Southwest. If this leads to a decrease in base fares it might balance out BUT I have a feeling that fares will go up AND flyers will be nickel and dimed by another airline.
Me and my family have been LOYAL Southwest travelers for many many years. But what I can tell you is from now on many of us WILL NOT PAY FOR THE NEW LUGGAGE FEES, pay extra for seating reservations, etc.! I/we can rent a car for a week, plan a extra day for travel and pay less than what our southwest ticket and extra fees will cost. Just imagine the carry-on luggage “war” if this is implemented? It will be a disaster, more than it is now. But Southwest will be the losers in the end.
WAKE UP SOUTHWEST!
Well there goes the reason I fly Southwest! No more loyalty from me. From now on, since they’re going to be just like any other airline, I’ll simply look for the cheapest fare.
When you are like everyone else, what is the incentive to use you?