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Southwest Airlines·None
Southwest carry-on size limits, checked bag fees, weight limits, overweight and oversize charges, and who gets bags free. Updated policy summary with booking help.
Key Travel Facts & Insights
One personal item that fits under the seat, on all fares.
One full-size carry-on plus one personal item on every fare. Maximum dimensions: 24 x 16 x 10 inches — a genuinely larger allowance than the 22 x 14 x 9 standard used by most US carriers.
Southwest historically included two free checked bags on every fare. The carrier has moved to a paid checked bag model for most fares, so confirm the allowance attached to your specific fare at booking rather than assuming the legacy policy.
See above — the two-free-bags policy no longer applies universally. Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and Southwest credit cardholders retain free checked bag benefits.
50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches per checked bag.
Bags 51–100 lbs and over 62 linear inches carry per-item charges.
Over 62 linear inches is charged as oversize; over 80 linear inches is not accepted.
A-List Preferred members and eligible Rapid Rewards credit cardholders receive free checked bags. Verify your fare's allowance at booking.
Golf bags and snow ski equipment count as one checked bag within the standard weight limit. Southwest is unusually accommodating with bulky sports gear.
24 x 16 x 10 inches — a genuinely larger allowance than the 22 x 14 x 9 standard used by most US carriers including wheels and handles. One full-size carry-on plus one personal item on every fare.
Southwest historically included two free checked bags on every fare. The carrier has moved to a paid checked bag model for most fares, so confirm the allowance attached to your specific fare at booking rather than assuming the legacy policy. A second bag: See above — the two-free-bags policy no longer applies universally. Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and Southwest credit cardholders retain free checked bag benefits.
50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches per checked bag. Bags 51–100 lbs and over 62 linear inches carry per-item charges.
A-List Preferred members and eligible Rapid Rewards credit cardholders receive free checked bags. Verify your fare's allowance at booking.
Fare rules, baggage allowances and change policies differ by route and fare brand. Our consultants confirm the exact terms attached to your itinerary before you pay — and handle the change or refund if plans move.