Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy: 2 Free Bags Explained

Southwest Airlines is the only major US carrier that includes 2 free checked bags for every passenger on every flight, no conditions attached. No credit card required, no elite status required, no fare class restrictions. This policy — branded as "Bags Fly Free" — is one of Southwest's most significant competitive advantages and can save families and frequent travelers hundreds of dollars per year compared to flying American, Delta, or United.

The Core Policy: 2 Checked Bags Always Free

Southwest's checked baggage policy is unusually simple:

• Every passenger gets 2 checked bags free, on every Southwest-operated flight
• Applies to all fare types: Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, Business Select
• No Rapid Rewards status required — even first-time Southwest travelers get 2 free bags
• No Southwest credit card required — though other card benefits exist, the free bag perk doesn't require a card

This is a fundamental structural difference from major US legacy carriers (American, Delta, United) where the base Economy fare typically charges $35–40 for the first bag and $45–50 for the second. On a round trip, that's $70–$100 per passenger in checked bag fees that Southwest passengers simply don't pay.

Dollar value of Southwest's free bag policy:

• Single traveler, round trip: saves approximately $70–$100 vs. American/Delta/United
• Couple, round trip: saves approximately $140–$200
• Family of four, round trip: saves approximately $280–$400

This benefit alone can justify choosing Southwest over a slightly cheaper competitor fare on any route Southwest serves.

Southwest Checked Baggage Weight Limits

Weight	Fee
Under 50 lb (23 kg)	Free (up to 2 bags)
51–100 lb (24–45 kg)	$75 per bag (overweight fee)
Over 100 lb (45 kg)	Not accepted

The 50 lb limit is firm. Southwest's 50 lb (approximately 23 kg) weight limit matches the standard US carrier limit. A bag at exactly 50 lb is within limit; a bag at 51 lb incurs the $75 overweight fee.

Note: 50 lb is slightly heavier than the 23 kg limit used on most international routes (23 kg = 50.7 lb, rounding to 50 lb in practice). If you're packing for a Southwest domestic connection to an international flight, pack to 23 kg to be safe on the international leg.

Southwest Checked Baggage Size Limits

• Standard maximum: 62 linear inches (length + width + height combined)
• Oversize fee (over 62 linear inches): $75 per bag
• The 62-inch linear limit is the US domestic standard and applies at Southwest the same as on American, Delta, and United

A typical large checked suitcase measuring 30 × 20 × 10 inches totals 60 inches — just inside the limit. A bag measuring 32 × 22 × 12 inches totals 66 inches and would incur the $75 oversize fee. Check your luggage dimensions before packing if you're using very large suitcases.

Carry-On Policy

Southwest also includes carry-on bags free:

• 1 carry-on bag (fits in overhead bin) — free
• 1 personal item (fits under seat in front) — free
• Together with 2 free checked bags, Southwest passengers can bring more luggage than on virtually any other US carrier without paying extra

Rapid Rewards Status and Southwest Credit Cards

Unlike at other airlines, Southwest's Rapid Rewards program and co-branded credit cards don't add extra checked bag benefits — because there's nothing to add. Every passenger already gets 2 free bags, so the program doesn't offer supplemental bag perks.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card and Rapid Rewards Plus Card offer other benefits (statement credits, Tier Qualifying Points boosts) but do not change the checked bag allowance. Rapid Rewards A-List and A-List Preferred status similarly don't add bag perks beyond the standard 2 free.

Southwest vs. Major US Carriers: Checked Bag Comparison

Policy	Southwest	American	Delta	United
First bag (domestic)	Free	$35	$35	$35
Second bag (domestic)	Free	$45	$45	$45
Weight limit	50 lb	50 lb	50 lb	50 lb
Overweight fee (51–70 lb)	$75	$150	$100	$100
Oversize fee	$75	$150	$200	$200
Free bag via credit card	N/A (already free)	Yes (AAdvantage card)	Yes (Delta card)	Yes (Explorer card)

Two differences stand out beyond the free bag policy:

1. Southwest's overweight fee ($75 for 51–70 lb) is lower than American's ($150) but comparable to Delta and United ($100)
2. Southwest's oversize fee ($75) is substantially lower than Delta or United ($200) — Southwest is the most lenient on oversize fees among the four major US carriers

Musical Instruments and Sports Equipment

Southwest has specific handling for non-standard items:

Musical instruments:

• Small instruments that fit in overhead bins can travel as your carry-on at no charge
• Larger instruments may be checked as luggage; fees and size rules apply

Sports equipment:

• Golf clubs, ski equipment, surfboards, and similar items travel as checked baggage
• Standard $75 oversize and overweight fees apply if the item exceeds 62 inches or 50 lb
• No separate sports equipment surcharge — Southwest treats these as regular checked items subject to standard size and weight limits
• Very large items (large surfboards, full bicycles without breakdown) may exceed size limits; contact Southwest in advance

Southwest's Codeshare Policy

Southwest does not codeshare with other airlines. This matters for baggage purposes:

• Southwest's free bag policy applies only on Southwest-operated flights (WN flight numbers)
• If your itinerary involves Southwest and another carrier, the other carrier's bag fees apply on their segments independently
• Southwest does not through-check bags to or from partner airlines on connecting itineraries that cross carriers

If your trip combines a Southwest domestic segment with an international carrier, you'll check bags separately for each carrier and pay the international carrier's fees on their segment.

No Basic Economy at Southwest

Southwest does not sell a "Basic Economy" tier. All Southwest fares — Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select — include the same 2 free checked bags. The fare differences at Southwest relate to flexibility (change and cancellation policies), boarding group access, and Rapid Rewards point earning, not baggage access.

This is a meaningful consumer protection: you can buy the cheapest available Southwest fare and still get your 2 bags free. On American, Delta, or United, the cheapest fare is typically Basic Economy, which may include a checked bag but at the same price as other Economy fares ($35 for the first bag).

Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy at a Glance

Southwest Airlines includes 2 checked bags free for every passenger on every flight — no elite status, credit card, or fare class requirement. The weight limit is 50 lb per bag; the oversize limit is 62 linear inches. Overweight and oversize bags incur $75 fees, which are lower than most major US carrier equivalents. A third checked bag costs $75. Southwest's policy applies only to Southwest-operated flights and does not extend to partner or codeshare carriers. Southwest is the only major US carrier with universally free checked bags as a baseline policy.