In March 2025, Southwest Airlines rocked the industry, when it announced that it would start charging for checked bags as of Wednesday, May 28, 2025. With this policy having been implemented as of today, I want to go over all the details of Southwest’s new fee structure, and what this means for the airline.
Continue reading: Southwest Airlines Checked Bag Fees Live: Here’s What You’ll Pay
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
So tickets booked before May 28 for travel after May 28 will not have checked bag fees?
Can only believe that the boarding process will be hindered much more by all those bringing the bags they didn't want to check.
Southwest already revealed that its RASM is weaker than they projected at the beginning of the year.
Not all of it could be due to the negative press WN has received about all of the new initiatives they are rolling out and could be overall domestic demand related but WN needs to make some very convincing comments in their next earnings call in about 7 weeks if investors are to stay w/ the airline.
let's keep in mind that UA's margins will fall as it has to absorb the likely very costly settlement w the AFA and then follow at least w/ the mechanics. There are still four other groups of employees that have amendable contracts but UA has had a labor cost advantage for years which helped them to go after WN and other LCCs and ULCCs and that will be eroded in the 2nd quarter and beyond, assuming the UA FAs ratify their contract proposal.
WN is a very large airline so the big 3 as well as other airlines can add relatively small amounts of capacity and siphon off WN passengers if WN can't convince their high revenue customers of some value in the very near future.
So is Southwest really moving forward with its haphazard sounding plan of reimbursing companion pass companions for the bag fee if the primary person on the reservation is A-list or a cardholder? I'm curious to see how this will be implemented.
I think the current economic environment will be a big factor. For airlines like UA and AA I am noticing when I booking flights - that the seats behind the exit rows are empty many times. But seats in Econ+ and MCE are pretty full. This tells me Elites are still traveling, but infrequent travelers have cut back - since they are likley more economically impacted by rising prices.
@ BZ -- You have the right to your opinion, but I'm going to ask nicely that you please refrain from bringing this up on every post you comment on, because it's a distraction, and not constructive for the purposes of discussion. Going forward, I'll be deleting these kinds of comments.
They may loser flyers but they will be making it up in bag fees which are nearly 100% profit driven and do not incur taxes.
WN will still make money flying point-to-point routes, but I don't think they stand a chance at competing in any of the big 3's hubs. They'll be just as expensive with no differentiating factors.
I live in Atlanta, so I am fortunate to have a plethora of options when I travel. If I didn't have the credit card, this would definitely reduce the amount of business I give them, as all things being equal, the free bag plus early bird would generally guarantee me saving money on exit row or bulkhead seating. I think this will definitely dissuade some folks from using them, but I also believe some folks will spring for the affordably priced credit cards, and it will end up a wash.
@Ben Can you please also delete other rude and offensive comments made by BZ which you know from his past posts? It only generates hateful comments and that is what he wants. He only ever comments nonsense. Thank you, Ben!
Same situation for me, except I have the Delta card but not a Southwest card and not intending to get one in the near future. This basically removes Southwest as an option for me unless Delta is just exorbitantly more expensive for a similar routing.
The overhead bins are already full. If you are flying basic, like other airlines, you will need to gate check bags. Every other airline manages this process and WN will be no different.
I thought SW always had a lower cost structure. Is that no longer true? Flying only 1 type of plane saves maintenance costs and provides flexibility. Maybe they have new contracts that have increased costs.
Delete going forward? Blatantly anti-semitic hate speech is tolerated? Should have been deleted immediately every time. Your choice to keep it there. My choice whether to continue to read and highlight for others what is allowed to stay up in posts.
Labor is the largest cost for US airlines and WN's labor costs per seat mile are comparable to the big 3 now. the big 3 have become more efficient while WN's workforce is becoming more and more senior. WN is still efficient but has lost a chunk of its advantage which is part of why their finances relative to the big 3 have deteriorated.
all airlines fly essentially the same planes - newer planes are more fuel efficient but require more capital while older aircraft are the opposite; there is minimal advantage in aircraft related costs other than labor efficiency.
It isn't just about revenue but also involves costs; WN doesn't have an advantage anywhere.
Don't conflate Zionism with Judaism. They are different.
BZ's comment is not helpful.
I think they should have continued free bags for Anytime fares and only charged for Wanna get away or other super-economy fares.
Southwest has only promised that the companion holder can apply for a refund in this scenario. But they haven't said how it'll happen. Of course this is all only necessary because of how Southwest's legacy system adds the companion under a different PNR. Maybe eventually they'll find a way to add the companion on the same PNR to make these bag benefits automatic.
No longer a reason to seek out Southwest flights, specifically anymore. Just stinks that they are primary carrier out of Indy. I only see airfares going through roof now.
I suspect tomorrow the boarding process will be a nightmare due to all the additional carry on bags. The bins are already full with free checked bags.
It will be an adjustment for both the gate agents and the SWA fliers. In time, it will be just like all the other US carriers. More gate checking and even slower boarding.
No. They have a new investor who bought enough shares to take over the airline. He fired the CEO, loaded the board of Directors because he is more interested in short time wealth than steady income. Southwest will not survive this debacle.
The policies for the checked bags are in line with other airlines in the industry. If the airline gets enough pushback they may revert the policies. One reason many fly Southwest is because they go to airports that are just outside major cities.
@Ben Besides blasting BZ’s inappropriate, anti-Semitic comment you should make it where all racist, discriminatory, and sexist comments are banned.
As a cardholder, I consider the changes mainly good. I never check bags, but those who do will now subsidize my fare. I no longer have to play 24 hour roulette for a decent seat. I will board early so I'll get bin space. Won't have to line up for cattle call. And I'm still getting free WiFi
100%. This will result in significant delays and late arrivals. Southwest routinely schedules 40 minutes turns compared to 1 hour at most of the big 3. Even now this provides zero flexibility when inbound aircraft have delays due to weather or ATC reasons with the trick down effect to the next set of flights. I would steer clear of booking their late evening flights as they are likely to average 60+ minute late arrivals given all of the tight turns though out the day plus all the extra baggage issues.
Everyone is still under the old rules since they purchased WGA fares. The effect will be gradual as WGA paxs decline and Basic tickets are sold.
Stinks and will make me question my loyalty to Southwest. I’ll definitely shop around a whole lot more now.
I heartily dislike these changes. I loved that Southwest didn't nickel and dime passengers with fees for bags, fees to choose a seat, etc. For many years, they were no frills, but straightforward and efficient, with some flight crews who added humor to the pre-boarding shtick. You knew not to expect a meal, and the more substantial snacks were reserved for flights of 3.5 hours or more, and there were no extra legroom seats, but you got a decent, straightforward fare and multiple flights per day, including to some secondary and tertiary airports.
What's the value proposition now?
I will probably still fly Southwest some of the time because I typically fly out of BWI, where Southwest accounts for 65-70% of flights, and they fly to some destinations I need to go to that have minimal options on other airlines. I will probably still get a checked bag much of the time...but I expect I will still be impacted by the new policies. The last time I flew American, I found that people trying to carry on bags and then having to gate check them because there was no bin space made boarding take what felt like a long time. I think Southwest risks slowing down their boarding process. I'm not a fan.
thank you.
WN's business model was broken.
They should not be blasted because they were the last one to subsidize the leisure travel of many Americans that brought the kitchen sink w them on vacation.
and the end of the cattle call will be a far bigger day in the history of aviation than charging SOME PEOPLE for checked bags
no one has asked how many baggage handlers WN will no longer need
"What's the value proposition now?"
You answered your own question.
"they fly to some destinations I need to go to that have minimal options on other airlines"
Is that enough? Can it be sustained? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Worst part will be WN fliers shifting over to Big 3 flights. Wheelchairs and all.
@Tim Dunn
This preoccupation with Southwest's boarding process has always amused me. Like AA or Delta or United with their dozen boarding groups are any different? Same crap different name. At least Southwest could load a plane in under 30 minutes, which is more important to most fliers than inflating the egos of the "elites".
And I disagree, Southwest (or more accurately, the vulture capital investors) should be blasted. I trust Southwest's original findings that charging for bags would lose them more business than it would generate in direct revenue. Southwest was already in the same league as the big 3 in terms of price. As another commenter said, what's the value proposition for the consumer now? Same prices, but now we have to be nickeled and dimed for bags. Same price, but now the plane loads slower and we're less likely to keep Southwest's aggressive schedules. Why should I keep flying Southwest instead of Delta or United?
Rather than subsidizing your fare the checked bag fees will subsidize corporate, and therefore shareholder, profits.
Bold of you to assume anyone other than the bloodsucking vulture investor is getting subsidized.
you do realize that UAL stock has been the best performing of the big 3 over the past year - about twice as good as LUV.
so are the bloodsucking vultures winning even more at UAL?
and since US airlines are heavily owned by institutional investors - largely retirement funds - and Elliott owns well less than a majority of LUV stock, it is actually everyday people that own the majority of the US airline industry.
"In time, it will be just like all the other US carriers. More gate checking and even slower boarding." Except it will be worse since the big 3 usually schedule an hour turn time to allow for weather, ATC, bag delays while Southwest strives for 40 minute turn times that were hard to achieve on full flights under the previous policy where passengers could check bags free. It will be interesting to see how much lower their already subpar on time performance falls.
Ok, so we no longer get to choose our seat at time of boarding, very important to me because i am 6'6" 280lb and need to place my sholder into window area or the person in the center seat will have no room.
Selecting a seat online without knowing how they align with aircraft design is a no go.
Combine that with limited choice of use of rapid rewards points for options other than flights, And now we have to pay for bags as well?
All combine to a very poor choices.
Sounds like southwest is no longer a better solution. May as well dump their card and take my business elseware.
Simple fix, bags checked at the gate should carry EXTRA fees beyond those charges if you do so at check in.
SW was my ONLY airline unless they didn’t fly to the destination. Years before I was a Delta girl. I just compared the cost of several flights and now delta is more affordable. I loved Delta but economics said SW was my choice. No longer!! I just got a DELTA cc and booked my next trip with them! Welcome home to Delta mama
Many of my friends & I have duscussed & agreed that we don't feel the needs to stay loyal to SW Airline anymore 🙁