Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy

According to Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy, you can bring 2 checked baggage of less than 50 pounds each for free at any fare type with no hidden charges and you can also add extra baggage for $75 each. Southwest Airlines also allows you to bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item with no additional fees at all.

There are some baggage rules and restrictions which makes it important to understand their baggage policy.

What is allowed in carry on baggage with Southwest Airlines?

Southwest Airlines baggage policy allows you to check one personal item and one carry-on item free of charge, but it may be subject to size and weight restrictions.

What is Southwest carry on policy for size and weight limit?

Personal Item under Southwest carry on policy

You can bring one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase, camera, food container, or laptop, with a maximum size of 18.5 inches in length, 8.5 inches in width, and 13.5 inches in height following the Southwest carry on policy

Southwest carry on rules

Southwest Airlines baggage policy does not consider the following things as carry-ons or personal belongings –

• Mobility aids and assistive technology for passengers with disabilities.
• Child restraint system
• Outer clothing or wearable clothing items.
• Food in a disposable container
• Canes for walking and umbrellas.

Carry-on bag under Southwest carry on policy –

The dimensions of the hand luggage must be within 60.9cm x 40.6cm x 25.4cm ( 24 in x 16 in x 10 in). It must be able to fit in the overhead bin.

Please Note – As per the Southwest Airlines baggage policy, you must check in any carry-on item larger than the allowed dimensions. After the flight, you can pick it up at the baggage claim area. However, you can check in strollers and assistive equipment at the jet bridge or gate.

Does Southwest allow 2 carry ons?

Yes, you can carry 1 carry on bag and 1 personal item with Southwest Airlines at no additional cost and no hidden charges. You have to remember that the bag must fit in the overhead compartment and your personal item must fit under the seat.

Can I have a backpack and a carry-on Southwest?

You can carry backpacks as a carry on at no additional cost, or you can also bring a small suitcase as a carry-on. If your suitcase qualifies as carry-on and can fit in the overhead compartment, Under the Southwest Airlines baggage policy, it will not be held in checked baggage.

What is Southwest checked bag policy?

Two checked bags for free are allowed as per Southwest Airlines checked bag policy, but they must weigh under 50 pounds and adhere to Southwest Airlines baggage rules regarding dimensions.

Southwest Free checked bags – 2 free checked bags

Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage Size – 62 linear inches/157 cm per bag (Length + Width + Height)

Weight limit on checked bags southwest – 50 Pounds (23 kg)

Please Note: Passengers need to fulfill all the mentioned Southwest carry on requirements failing which will result in Southwest flight cancellation.

How do I check bags for Southwest International flights?

If you are traveling internationally, you can’t check your luggage at the curbside, you have to go to the ticket counter.

Check your luggage 60 minutes before departure (75 minutes if flying to Aruba)

Please Note: If you don’t fulfill the above mentioned requirements, you will not be allowed to board the flight.

What is Southwest Airlines Excess Baggage Policy?

Anything exceeding your free Southwest baggage allowance of 2 bags as excess baggage is considered as excess baggage. However, the total length, width, and weight of your excess baggage must not exceed 62 linear inches (157.3 cm) and 50 pounds (23 kg).

How much is extra baggage with Southwest?

For every extra bag you bring, Southwest Airlines levies an excess baggage cost of USD 75/bag per way, provided that the bag’s combined Southwest Airlines checked baggage dimensions (outside length + width + height) do not exceed 62in/157.4cm and the bag does not weigh more than 50lb/23kg.

Fees for Overweight Baggage –

Southwest Airlines charges a surcharge of USD 75 per bag for overweight baggage for any bag weighing between 50 pounds. Southwest Airlines will transport baggage weighing over 100 lb/46kg as cargo.

You must take note of the following points – 

• As per the Southwest Airlines baggage policy, any suitcase ranging between 62 and 80 inches must pay an overweight baggage cost of USD 75 per bag.
• Southwest Airlines won’t accept bags larger than 80 inches/203.2 cm.
• If your standard bag exceeds the size and weight limit, we will assess only one fee of USD 75, provided that the weight does not exceed 100lb/45kg.
• Bags weighing more than 100 pounds/45 kilograms will be transported by cargo.

What is Southwest Baggage Allowance for the military?

Active duty military customers must receive an exemption from the 2-piece baggage limit, and Southwest Airlines will not apply excess or oversized baggage charges to them. However, the baggage must not exceed 100 pounds in weight and 80 inches in size (Length + Width + Height).

Please Note: If baggage exceeds 80 inches in size, it cannot be checked, but it can be shipped as cargo if the passenger is a TSA known shipper.

Some Additional Information

Military personnel must present a valid United States Uniformed Services Active Duty Identification Card at the time of Southwest Airlines check-in.

In total, a ticketed Customer (including military Customers) may not check more than 20 pieces of baggage per flight.

Please Note: The dependents of the military passenger are subject to normal charges as per Southwest Airlines baggage rules.

Can you bring sports equipment on a Southwest flight?

Southwest Airlines allows passengers to bring sports equipment on a one-item-for-one-bag basis according to the Southwest Airlines baggage policy, such as golf clubs, bicycles, and surfboards as part of their regular checked baggage allowance, subject to certain size and weight restrictions.

Additional Southwest Airlines baggage fees may apply, if your sporting goods weigh more than 50lb/23kg and if the exterior combined dimensions (Length + Height + Width) exceed 62in/157.4cm.

What sports equipment can you bring on Southwest flights?

Can you bring musical instruments on Southwest plane?

Southwest Airlines allows musical instruments as carry-on or checked baggage, as long as they meet size and weight restrictions as per Southwest baggage policy.

Musical Instruments as Southwest Airlines carry on

• They must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat and must meet the Southwest Airlines baggage requirements for carry-on size (10 x 16 x 24 inches). 
• It recommends that the instruments be properly packaged and cushioned.
• You can bring your musical instrument inside the cabin by purchasing a seat for it if it cannot fit in the overhead compartment or beneath a seat.
• It fits comfortably in the seat without obstructing the aircraft’s signs
• The instrument must be positioned in the first row.

Musical instrument as Southwest Airlines checked luggage

In addition to one item of your free checked baggage, Southwest lets you check one musical instrument. Nevertheless, you won’t be permitted to check in your musical instrument if –

• The total linear dimensions (L + W + H), including the case or covering, surpass 150 inches (381cm)
• The combined weight surpasses 165 pounds, including the case or covering (74.8kg).

Please Note: Musical instruments, such as a double bass or cello, that cannot be properly fastened in a seat must be checked and will be subject to overweight or oversize charges.

Additional Information about large instruments

According to Southwest Airlines baggage policy, passengers are responsible for paying oversize or overweight fees if:

• Your musical instrument’s total linear dimensions (L + W + H), including the case or covering, range from 62 to 150 inches (157.4–381cm).
• Your musical instrument weighs between 51 and 165 lbs when the case or covering is included (23.1–74.8kg).

How to handle Southwest Airlines delayed baggage?

If your checked luggage was damaged –

• Inform the Southwest Airlines Baggage Service Office in person.
• Submit Southwest Airlines lost and found report within four hours of arrival.

After reporting your misplaced or delayed baggage –

• A baggage service representative will compile a report and provide you a receipt.
• You’ll get regular updates on the whereabouts of your luggage.
• To check on the status, you can also call Southwest Airlines

To check the status of your missing or damaged bag, follow these steps –

• Follow up with the Delayed or Damaged Baggage support.
• Download the Southwest Airlines Baggage Claim form from Southwest Airline’s website.

How to handle damaged baggage on Southwest Airlines?

If your checked luggage was damaged –

• Within four hours of arrival, inform the Southwest Airlines Baggage Service Office in person.
• Present your damaged bag to a baggage service representative so they can evaluate the damage and your responsibility.

Exceptions – As per the Southwest baggage policy, the exceptions to this policy include –

• Southwest does not cover carry-on baggage 
• Small defects like scratches, minor dents, and cuts, dirt marks, etc.

Liability of Southwest Airlines for Lost or Damaged Bags

Under the Southwest Airlines baggage policy, only the following parties are liable for lost, damaged, and delayed bags –

• On international itineraries, the per-ticket price is 3,500 USD.
• Travelers should be entitled to 1000 USD as Southwest Airlines lost baggage compensation.

What are the Southwest Airlines baggage restrictions?

Which items are prohibited as Southwest Airlines baggage?

Southwest Airlines baggage rule prohibits the following items –

Southwest Airlines baggage policy allows passengers to bring one personal item and two checked bags for free on every flight. Overweight and oversized bags are subject to additional fees. The policy has been designed to provide travelers with a convenient and hassle-free experience, while also ensuring the safety and security of all baggage on board.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs