Southwest Airlines Breaks Tradition: Passengers Will Now Pay for Checked Bags

For years, Southwest Airlines has been famous for its "two bags fly free" policy, a perk that made it stand out from other airlines. But starting May 28, 2025, that will change. For the first time in its history, Southwest will charge passengers to check their bags. This decision comes as part of the airline's efforts to increase revenue, despite previously stating it had no plans to introduce baggage fees.

A Sudden Change in Policy

As recently as September 2024, Southwest assured customers that it wouldn't start charging for checked bags. The airline even pointed out that their free baggage policy helped set them apart from the competition. CEO Bob Jordan had stated that after fare prices and flight schedules, the "bags fly free" benefit was the number one reason passengers chose Southwest.

However, in a surprising announcement on Tuesday, the airline confirmed it would introduce baggage fees. The policy change is expected to bring in additional revenue for Southwest, which has been under financial pressure. The decision was influenced in part by Elliott Investment Management, an activist investing firm that has been pushing for changes to boost the airline's profits.

Who Will Still Get Free Checked Bags?

While most passengers will have to pay, some travelers will still get free checked bags. Here’s how it will work:

Business Select Passengers: Customers who book Southwest’s most expensive fare will still be able to check two bags for free.

A-List Preferred Members: These frequent flyers will also continue to enjoy the two-bag benefit.

A-List Members and Southwest Credit Card Holders: They will receive one free checked bag.

For everyone else, the fees will apply starting May 28, 2025.

More changes at Southwest

This baggage fee isn’t the only big change coming to Southwest. The airline has been making adjustments to its business model in response to industry trends and financial pressures.

Basic Economy Fare: Southwest will introduce a new basic economy fare that will include options for assigned seating and extra legroom.

Assigned Seating: For the first time, Southwest will move away from its open-seating policy. This means passengers will no longer choose their seats upon boarding.

Extra-Legroom Seats for a Fee: Customers will soon be able to pay extra for more legroom, a feature common among other airlines.

Why Is Southwest Making These Changes?

Airlines are constantly looking for ways to increase profits, and Southwest is no exception. The airline has been under pressure to make changes that bring in more revenue, and baggage fees are a reliable source of income. In fact, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. airlines made a massive $5.5 billion from baggage fees in the first three quarters of 2024 alone.

Southwest had previously defended its free baggage policy, arguing that removing it would drive away customers and hurt demand more than the extra fees would help. However, the financial pressure from investors seems to have forced the airline to reconsider.

What Does This Mean for Passengers?

For travelers who have been loyal to Southwest because of its free baggage policy, this change might be disappointing. However, the airline hopes that offering free checked bags to certain frequent flyers will keep their most loyal customers happy. At the same time, Southwest is moving towards a more traditional airline model, similar to its competitors.

While the exact fees for checked bags haven't been announced yet, travelers can expect Southwest to release more details in the coming months.

Final Thoughts

Southwest Airlines has long been known for its customer-friendly policies, but the introduction of baggage fees marks a significant shift. As the airline moves towards a new business model, passengers will need to adapt to these changes. Whether this decision will help or hurt Southwest in the long run remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—flying with Southwest won’t be quite the same anymore.