Southwest Airlines Baggage Allowance, Fees & How to Add Extra Baggage

WN / SWA · United States

Checked baggage fees apply for 1st and 2nd bags on Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares; Choice Extra includes 2 free checked bags. 3rd+ bags charged at $150 each. Use the official links below to review baggage rules, booking access, and related airline services.

Updated Aug 28, 2026

Southwest Airlines Baggage Allowance

Free checked and carry-on baggage allowances by cabin class and route. Allowances vary by route, ticket type, and frequent flyer status — always confirm with the official baggage policy before you fly.

Checked baggage

All cabins

Piece concept; standard checked bag max 50 lbs and 62 linear inches (L+W+H, wheels/handles included); max 20 checked bags per passenger per flight; free allowance varies by fare family and Rapid Rewards status; separate U.S. Mainland vs interisland Hawaii tables; tables show two fee periods (before vs on/after April 9, 2026) with identical free-bag structure but different paid-bag fees — current chart is 'For travel booked and ticketed and/or changed on or after April 9, 2026'.

LabelAmountNotes
U.S. Mainland — Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares (ticketed on or after April 9, 2026)No free checked baggage
  • Original table 'For U.S. Mainland travel booked and ticketed and/or changed on or after April 9, 2026' row: Basic Fare / Choice Fare / Choice Preferred Fare — 'Carryon + Personal Item Free' but '1st Checked Bag $45' / '2nd Checked Bag $55' (one-way). No 'Free' in checked columns for these fares.
  • Before April 9, 2026 same fares showed '1st Checked Bag $35' / '2nd Checked Bag $45' — also no free bag. Structure unchanged, only paid fees increased.
  • Standard limits from checked-baggage policy: 'Standard Size Limit 62 inches in size (length + width + height). Wheels and handles should be included when measuring.' and 'Standard Weight Limit Up to 50 pounds each.' Footnote 3 repeats: 'In total, a Customer is limited to check 20 pieces of checked baggage per flight. This limitation includes Carrier's Free Checked Baggage Allowance.'
  • Southwest Groups Customers (ticketed on or after April 18, 2026) identical: 'Free $45 $55' — no free checked baggage.
U.S. Mainland — Choice Extra fare2 checked bags
  • Original table 'For U.S. Mainland travel booked and ticketed and/or changed on or after April 9, 2026' row: 'Choice Extra Fare — Free Free Free' under 'Carryon + Personal Item / 1st Checked Bag / 2nd Checked Bag'. Same row in 'before April 9, 2026' table also shows 'Free Free'.
  • 3rd+ bag thereafter is paid ('3rd+ Checked Bag $150' per Additional Fees chart) — not recorded as free allowance.
  • Standard size/weight limits per checked-baggage policy: '62 inches' (L+W+H, wheels/handles included) and 'Up to 50 pounds each'; bags 51–100 lbs or 63–80 in incur overweight/oversize charges on top of standard fee per footnote 3.
U.S. Mainland — Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members (including Companion and up to 8 additional Passengers on same reservation)2 checked bags
  • Original table row 'Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members — Free — First checked bag free2 and up to eight (8) additional Passengers on the same reservation. — Second checked bag free2 and up to eight (8) additional Passengers on the same reservation.' Footnote 2: 'Checked bag: Bag fees apply to Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares. Choice Extra fares and Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members receive two free checked bags. A-List Members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers only receive their first checked bag for free. Checked bag benefits do not apply on flights booked with a partner carrier. Weight and size limits apply.'
  • If a Companion Pass Member qualifies for one or two free checked bags (based on tier status or fare purchased), the benefit will apply to their Companion — same footnote block.
U.S. Mainland — Rapid Rewards A-List Members (including up to 8 additional Passengers on same reservation)1 checked bag
  • Original table row 'Rapid Rewards A-List Members — Free — First checked bag free2 and up to eight (8) additional Passengers on the same reservation. — $35 Price applies to up to eight (8) additional Passengers on the same reservation.'
  • Before April 9, 2026 identical 'First checked bag free' / 'Second $35' structure; footnote 2 confirms A-List Members receive only first bag free.
  • Standard 62 inches / 50 lbs limits apply per checked-baggage policy.
U.S. Mainland — Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers (primary Cardmember + up to 8 additional Passengers, Rapid Rewards number required at booking)1 checked bag
  • Original table row 'Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers — Free — First checked bag free11 for Cardmembers and up to eight (8) additional Passengers on the same reservation. (Must include Rapid Rewards account number at the time of booking). — $55' (price for 'on or after April 9, 2026' chart). Before April 9, 2026 the same row showed second bag '$45'.
  • Footnote 11: 'First Checked Bag Free: The primary Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember and up to eight Passengers traveling on the same reservation are each eligible to receive their first standard checked bag free. ... Must include their Rapid Rewards number in their reservation. ... Card account must be open and not in default. ... Not available on flights booked with a partner carrier. Service charges for oversized, overweight, and extra baggage may apply. ... Authorized users ... not eligible.' Allow up to 14 days for card status to update.
  • Cardmembers with A-List Preferred or A-List status or who purchase a fare that includes a free checked bag receive the higher bag benefit per same footnote.
U.S. Mainland — Active-duty military Customers (valid military ID required)2 checked bags
  • Original table row 'Active-duty military Customers5 — Free Free Free' under Carryon / 1st / 2nd columns, with footnote 5: 'Active duty military Customers must have their current, valid military ID to receive the exemption.'
  • Applies to both 'before April 9, 2026' and 'on or after April 9, 2026' charts and to interisland Hawaii charts (all show Free Free).
U.S. Mainland — Getaways by Southwest vacation bookings (per person on booking)2 checked bags
  • Original chart 'For travel booked through Getaways by Southwest' section: 'Carryon + Personal Item Free — 1st Checked Bag First checked bag free2 for each person on the booking — 2nd Checked Bag Second checked bag free2 for each person on the booking — 3rd+ Checked Bag, Oversized Bags, Overweight Bags, Sports Equipment Refer to the Additional Fees chart above for Southwest Airlines'. Footnote 2 links to same exemption note as A-List Preferred (two free bags).
  • Getaways bookings are eligible for changes/cancellations without a fee but price differences and non-air supplier penalties may apply per same section.
Interisland Hawaii — Hawaii Residents (Rapid Rewards number required at booking)2 checked bags
  • Original tables 'For interisland Hawaii travel booked and ticketed before April 9, 2026' and '... on or after April 9, 2026' row: 'Hawaii Residents 12 — Free (Must include Rapid Rewards account number at the time of booking) — Free (Must include Rapid Rewards account number at the time of booking) — $50' (3rd bag $50). Footnote 12: 'Hawaii residency is based on the primary mailing address of the Rapid Rewards Member and must be a valid United States Postal Hawaii mailing address.'
  • Same allowance in both periods; non-resident codes still differentiated.
Interisland Hawaii — Non-Hawaii residents traveling interisland (flight must originate and conclude within Hawaii; tickets booked on or after April 9, 2026)No free checked baggage
  • Original table 'For interisland Hawaii travel booked and ticketed and/or changed on or after April 9, 2026' row: 'Non-Hawaii residents traveling interisland (flight must originate and conclude within Hawaii). $30 $40 $50' for 1st / 2nd / 3rd. Before April 9, 2026 same row showed '$15 $20 $50'. No free bag for standard non-resident interisland travelers.
  • Additional Fees for interisland (footnote 13) are lower than Mainland: 'Overweight 51-70 lbs $35 + Standard Fee, 71-100 lbs $70 + Standard Fee, Oversized 63-80 $35 + Standard Fee, Oversized & Overweight $100 + Standard Fee' — not recorded as free allowance.
Interisland Hawaii — Non-Hawaii residents who are Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members (including up to 8 companions)2 checked bags
  • Original interisland rows (both before and after April 9, 2026): 'Non-Hawaii residents who are Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members traveling interisland (flight must originate and conclude within Hawaii). First checked bag free2 and up to eight (8) additional Passengers on the same reservation. Second checked bag free2 and up to eight (8) additional Passengers on the same reservation. $50' for third bag.
Interisland Hawaii — Non-Hawaii residents who are Rapid Rewards A-List Members (including up to 8 companions)1 checked bag
  • Original interisland rows (both periods): 'Non-Hawaii residents who are Rapid Rewards A-List Members traveling inter-island (flight must originate and conclude within Hawaii). First checked bag free2 and up to eight (8) additional Passengers on the same reservation. $15 Price extends to up to eight (8) additional Passengers traveling on the same reservation. $50' — same $15 second-bag fee before and after April 9, 2026.
  • Footnote 2 same as Mainland: benefits do not apply on partner-carrier flights; weight/size limits apply.
Interisland Hawaii — Non-Hawaii residents who are Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers (including up to 8 companions; booked on or after April 9, 2026)1 checked bag
  • Original after-April 9, 2026 interisland row: 'Non-Hawaii residents who are Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers traveling interisland ... First checked bag free11 for Cardmembers and up to eight (8) additional Passengers on the same reservation. (Must include Rapid Rewards account number at the time of booking) $40 $50' — first free, second $40, third $50. Before April 9, 2026 the same row showed second bag '$20 $50'.
  • Footnote 11 same Cardmember rules as Mainland: primary Cardmember only, 14-day update, account open/not in default, authorized users not eligible.
Interisland Hawaii — Active-duty military Customers (interisland)2 checked bags
  • Original interisland rows in both periods: 'Active-duty military Customers5 — Free Free Free' (and $50 for third bag on interisland chart). Footnote 5 requires current, valid military ID.

Carry-on baggage

All cabins

All ticketed Passengers — one carryon bag plus one personal item free; carryon max 24" × 16" × 10" including wheels/handles/attachments (overhead bin), personal item fits under seat.

  • Carry-on bag + personal item — all routes, all fares and status tiers1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item
    • Original verbatim on carryon policy page: 'You may bring one carryon bag and one personal item onboard.' and 'Carryon bag Goes in the overhead bin. Size limit: 24" (length) × 16" (width) × 10" (height). Wheels, handles, and any attachments count toward these dimensions. Examples: roller bag, small suitcase.' and 'Personal item Goes under the seat in front of you. Examples: purse (including crossbody bags), briefcase, laptop case, backpack, pillow (neck pillows do not count toward the carryon limit), blanket, small camera.'
    • Cross-checked on travel-fees page footnote 1 and Cabin table: 'Carryon bags: Southwest allows all ticketed Passengers to carry on the following for free: (a) one carryon bag (e.g., roller bag, garment bag, tote bag) that does not exceed external dimensions of 10 x 16 x 24; and (b) one smaller, personal type item (e.g., purse, briefcase, laptop computer case, backpack, small camera), provided that such items can be stowed under a seat or in an overhead compartment.' Table header 'Checked Bags Carryon + Personal Item 1st Checked Bag 2nd Checked Bag' shows 'Free' under Carryon for every fare/status row (Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra, A-List Preferred, A-List, Cardmembers, Groups, Military, Getaways, and all interisland rows).
    • Additional notes from carryon page: 'If your bag is too large to carry on or you're bringing more than one carryon or personal item, be sure to check item(s) at the ticket counter before you head to your departure gate.' and 'Your pet carrier counts as either your carryon bag or your personal item.' and 'If your itinerary includes a partner airline, their carry-on and personal item guidelines may differ.'

How to Add Extra Baggage & Prices on Southwest Airlines

Buy Baggage
  1. Go to Southwest Manage Reservation at southwest.com/air/manage-reservation/ or open the Southwest app.
  2. Enter your confirmation number and passenger name to retrieve your booking.
  3. Check in for your flight (available 24 hours before scheduled departure).
  4. During check-in, select the number of bags you want to check and pay applicable fees.
  5. Alternatively, use self-tagging kiosks at the airport (where available) to check bags and pay fees.
  6. If checking bags at the airport ticket counter, overweight/oversized fees must be paid with a physical credit card (no tap/contactless/mobile payments).

Prices

Fees apply per bag, one-way. Pricing depends on fare type. Choice Extra includes 2 free checked bags. A-List Preferred, A-List, and Credit Cardmembers receive free 1st bag.

LabelAmountNotes
1st checked bag (Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred)$45
  • For U.S. Mainland travel booked and ticketed on or after April 9, 2026.
  • Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred, A-List Members, and Credit Cardmembers receive 1st bag free.
2nd checked bag (Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred)$55
  • For U.S. Mainland travel booked and ticketed on or after April 9, 2026.
  • Choice Extra and A-List Preferred Members receive 2nd bag free.
  • A-List Members pay $35 for 2nd bag.
3rd+ checked bag$150
  • Per bag, one-way. Applies to all fare types.
  • In addition to any standard baggage fees.

FAQ

Can I buy extra baggage online after booking?

Yes. Bags can be checked digitally during online check-in starting 24 hours before scheduled departure, or through Manage Reservation.

Where do I check bags?

Check bags digitally during online check-in (24 hours before flight), at self-tagging kiosks at the airport (where available), or at the airport ticket counter with a Southwest Agent.

What are the checked baggage limits?

Standard size limit: 62 linear inches (length + width + height, including wheels and handles). Standard weight limit: 50 lbs per bag. Maximum 20 checked bags per passenger per flight.

When should I check bags?

Bags can be checked digitally during online check-in, which opens 24 hours before scheduled departure.

How does Southwest charge for checked bags?

Pricing is fare-dependent. Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares: 1st bag $45, 2nd bag $55 (one-way). Choice Extra includes 2 free checked bags. Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members receive 2 free checked bags; A-List Members receive 1st bag free. Credit Cardmembers receive 1st bag free. 3rd+ checked bags are $150 each.

What are the overweight and oversized baggage rules?

Bags 51-70 lbs: $100 additional fee. Bags 71-100 lbs: $200 additional fee. Oversized bags (63-80 linear inches): $200 additional fee. If a bag is both oversized and overweight, a single $200 charge applies plus the standard bag fee. All overweight/oversized fees must be paid at the airport ticket counter with a physical credit card.

Is it cheaper to buy extra baggage online vs at the airport?

Checked bag fees are the same whether paid during online check-in or at the airport. Overweight/oversized fees must be paid at the airport ticket counter with a physical credit card.

How do I pay for checked bags?

Online check-in accepts standard card payments. At the airport ticket counter, overweight/oversized fees require a physical credit card (no tap/contactless/mobile payments).

Are there any important exceptions?

Baggage embargoes apply for some countries (restrictions on oversized, overweight, and extra checked bags). Partner itineraries may have different baggage policies. Interisland Hawaii travel has different fee structure. Active-duty military customers receive free checked bags.

Related airlines

Explore more airline baggage pages to compare rules, fees, and official service links.