Southwest Airlines is phasing out its long-standing “two bags fly free” policy, which has been in place for over half a century. The airline will start charging passengers for checked bags starting Wednesday.
Under the new policy, only travelers with top-tier status in Southwest’s Rapid Rewards loyalty program or those booking high-end Business Select fares will be exempt from the fee. Credit card holders and their travel companions will also be eligible for free checked bags.
Southwest has announced several changes to its business model, including introducing basic-economy tickets and eliminating open seating. The airline expects passengers to carry on more luggage and has installed larger overhead bins on its planes.
While some travelers are unhappy with the policy change, Southwest’s CEO says there have been no signs of a decrease in bookings since the announcement.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/26/southwest-airlines-checked-bag-fees.html