Verdict
Southwest still gives every passenger a free carry-on (24 x 16 x 10 in) and a free personal item (18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in) — more generous than any other major US carrier. What disappeared is the free checked bag. "Bags Fly Free" ended on May 28, 2025, and a second increase took effect on April 9, 2026: the first checked bag is now $45 and the second is $55, each way. Free checked bags survive only for A-List Preferred and Choice Extra (two bags), A-List and Rapid Rewards cardholders (one bag), and active-duty military (unlimited).
Comparing carriers? Compare airline carry-on limits, then measure the whole suitcase before checking your flight requirements.
Key Facts for Fast Answers
Size your bag to the cabin, not the cargo hold. Southwest 24 x 16 x 10 allowance is the most forgiving in the US, so a standard 22 x 14 x 9 carry-on fits with room to spare.
Check fit, price, and product details before buying.
Size your bag to the cabin, not the cargo hold. Southwest 24 x 16 x 10 allowance is the most forgiving in the US, so a standard 22 x 14 x 9 carry-on fits with room to spare.
Full Analysis
Southwest has not offered two free checked bags to general passengers since May 28, 2025. Any guide that still says "Bags Fly Free" is describing a policy that ended. Carry-on bags never stopped being free.
What changed, and when
- May 28, 2025 — Southwest ends "Bags Fly Free," the two-free-checked-bag policy it had held for 54 years.
- April 9, 2026 — checked bag fees rise $10 each: first bag $35 to $45, second bag $45 to $55. Applies to reservations ticketed or voluntarily changed on or after that date.
- Unchanged — one carry-on and one personal item remain free on every fare, with no weight limit published for domestic cabin bags.
Southwest checked bag fees (2026)
| Bag | Fee (each way) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st checked bag | $45 | Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred fares |
| 2nd checked bag | $55 | Same fares |
| 3rd and additional | $150 | Per bag, each way |
| Overweight 51-70 lb | +$100 | On top of the standard bag fee |
| Overweight 71-100 lb | +$200 | On top of the standard bag fee |
| Oversized 63-80 linear in | +$200 | On top of the standard bag fee |
| Over 100 lb | Not accepted | Must ship as freight |
Fees are charged per direction, not per trip. One checked bag on a round trip costs $90. Two bags cost $200. That is the detail that catches travelers who remember the old policy most often.
Who still checks bags free on Southwest
| Passenger | Free checked bags |
|---|---|
| A-List Preferred | Two |
| Choice Extra or Business Select fare | Two |
| A-List | One |
| Rapid Rewards credit cardholder | One, plus up to eight companions on the same reservation |
| Active-duty military | All bags, no cap |
| Everyone else | None — standard fees apply |
Carry-on and personal item: still free, and still the best in the US
| Bag type | Maximum size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-on | 24 x 16 x 10 in (61 x 41 x 25 cm) | Free |
| Personal item | 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in | Free |
Measurements include handles and wheels. The carry-on must fit in the overhead bin and the personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. Southwest publishes no weight limit for domestic carry-on bags, so the practical constraint is size, not pounds — which is why a hardshell spinner that is a little heavier than average costs you nothing extra in the cabin.
The 24 inch allowance matters when you shop. Delta, United, and American all cap carry-on at 22 x 14 x 9 in. A bag built to that stricter standard clears Southwest easily, but a bag marketed at the outer edge of Southwest limits may not fit a Delta or United flight later. If you fly more than one airline, buy to the 22 x 14 x 9 standard and you are covered everywhere.
What to pack instead of paying the fee
- A 22 x 14 x 9 hardshell carry-on fits Southwest overhead bins with about two inches of slack in every dimension.
- Add a soft personal item that can compress — a backpack or tote holds more under the seat than a rigid small suitcase.
- Use packing cubes rather than a second bag. Compression beats capacity when the fee is per bag, not per pound.
- If you must check, prepay online during booking. Airport and gate payment is consistently the most expensive way to add a bag.
The Problem
A large share of Southwest baggage advice online is still written for a policy that no longer exists. Southwest ended its 54-year "Bags Fly Free" promise in May 2025, then raised fees again in April 2026. Travelers flying on memory are the ones paying $90 round trip for a single bag they expected to check for nothing.
Options
Free on every fare. Southwest allows 24 x 16 x 10 in, the largest cabin allowance of any major US airline.
Free on every fare. Two bags in the cabin at no charge is still Southwest strongest advantage.
$45 each way on Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares booked on or after April 9, 2026.
$45 plus $55 each way — $200 round trip for two bags.
Scenario Recommendations
- Size your bag to the cabin, not the cargo hold. Southwest 24 x 16 x 10 allowance is the most forgiving in the US, so a standard 22 x 14 x 9 carry-on fits with room to spare.
- If you normally check one bag, compare the fee against a Rapid Rewards credit card — the first bag free benefit often pays for the annual fee in a single round trip.
- Weigh before you leave. A 51 lb bag costs $100 on top of the $45 standard fee, so the most expensive pound you will ever pack is the one over 50.
Carry-on size & airline rules
Your next luggage decision
Find the size and weight questions to check before your flight.
Include wheels, handles, pockets and expanded depth.
Go directly to the rules for the airline you are flying.
Match a suitcase to your route and packing needs.
FAQ
Does Southwest still let bags fly free?
No. "Bags Fly Free" ended on May 28, 2025. Standard fares now pay $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second, each way. Free checked bags remain for A-List Preferred members, Choice Extra and Business Select fares, A-List members, Rapid Rewards credit cardholders, and active-duty military.
What is the Southwest carry-on size limit in 2026?
24 x 16 x 10 inches including handles and wheels. That is larger than the 22 x 14 x 9 standard used by Delta, United, and American. Carry-on bags remain free on every Southwest fare.
What size personal item is allowed on Southwest?
18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches, and it must fit under the seat in front of you. Every passenger gets one free personal item in addition to the free carry-on.
How much is a checked bag on Southwest in 2026?
$45 for the first bag and $55 for the second, each way, on reservations ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026. A third bag costs $150. Fees rose $10 each from the previous $35 and $45.
How much are Southwest overweight bag fees?
Bags 51 to 70 lb pay an extra $100 on top of the standard fee. Bags 71 to 100 lb pay an extra $200. Bags over 100 lb are not accepted at all. Oversized bags measuring 63 to 80 linear inches add $200.
Is the Southwest checked bag fee per flight or per trip?
Per direction. A single checked bag on a round trip costs $90 total ($45 each way). Two bags on a round trip cost $200.
Can I avoid Southwest baggage fees with a credit card?
Yes. Rapid Rewards credit cardholders get the first checked bag free, for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation. On a round trip with one bag that saves $90, which usually exceeds the annual fee on a single trip.
What is the Southwest checked bag weight limit?
50 lb per bag, with a maximum of 62 linear inches (length plus width plus height). Weight limits are the same whether the bag is free or paid.
Final Recommendation
Southwest still gives every passenger a free carry-on (24 x 16 x 10 in) and a free personal item (18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in) — more generous than any other major US carrier. What disappeared is the free checked bag. "Bags Fly Free" ended on May 28, 2025, and a second increase took effect on April 9, 2026: the first checked bag is now $45 and the second is $55, each way. Free checked bags survive only for A-List Preferred and Choice Extra (two bags), A-List and Rapid Rewards cardholders (one bag), and active-duty military (unlimited).
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