Starting on May 28, 2025, Southwest Airlines will begin charging for checked baggage, marking the official end of its long-standing “two bags fly free” policy.
The Dallas-based carrier announced on Tuesday that it will charge travelers $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for a second. The new fees will not apply to tickets purchased on or before May 27, 2025, regardless of your travel date—meaning today is the last day to book that trip if you want to secure free checked bags.
Southwest was the last remaining US airline to not charge for checked luggage. Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, American, United, Delta, and Hawaiian all raised their bag fees last year, citing inflationary pressures like higher fuel and labor costs.
Now, after 50 years of not charging for checked bags, Southwest is following the pack as it faces shareholder pressure to boost profitability. There are few exceptions to the new rule, however: Fliers who are A-List Preferred members of the carrier’s Rapid Rewards loyalty program or who are traveling in business class will continue to receive two free checked bags, and A-List members and holders of the Rapid Rewards Credit Card will receive one free checked bag.
It’s not the only change Southwest fliers should prepare for this week. The airline’s new flight voucher expiration limits (6 months to a 1 year depending on fare type) and fare class structure also go into effect on May 28. The four fare tiers—called Basic, Choice (formerly “Wanna Get Away Plus”), Choice Preferred (formerly “Anytime”), and Choice Extra (formerly “Business Select”)—includes a new basic economy class that is less expensive but does not allow for free changes or refunds. The carrier has also announced it will be ending its open seating policy and begin assigning seats beginning in early 2026.
By offering customer-forward perks that its competitors charge extra for, Southwest managed to set itself apart from other budget and low-cost carriers in the US and earn a loyal brand following. While its economy product remains highly rated by travelers, some industry experts wonder if the recent wave of changes will turn its frequent fliers away.
“Loyalist blowback is inevitable, but for some a combination of price and convenience will win out, and people may have no other option that fits with what they need to travel,” says Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for the Going travel app. “How Southwest plans to grow and compete against more profitable legacy carriers now that they’ve stripped off any distinguisher is hard to see. What we can see immediately is a lot of disappointed customers.”
In response to the news, Frontier Airlines cheekily announced that from May 18 through August 18, customers who purchase an Economy Bundle will receive a free carry-on bag, free seat selection, and free flight changes. “Some airlines are walking away from what travelers love, but we’re running towards it,” Barry Biffle, Frontier’s CEO, said in a press release. “Think of this as the ultimate ‘divorce your old airline’ deal. If travelers show us the love, we’ll make these perks permanent.”
