Southwest Airlines ending its free checked bag policy for many passengers

DALLAS - Southwest Airlines is ending its free checked bags policy for most of its passengers as it looks to boost earnings. 

The Dallas-based airline’s "bags fly free" policy has been a unique offering in the industry as the only major U.S. carrier to give each customer two free checked bags.

Southwest ends its ‘bags fly free’ policy

What we know:

Southwest Airlines announced on Tuesday that only Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and customers traveling via Business Select will receive two free checked bags. Frequent flyer A-List Members, Rapid Rewards credit card holders and other select customers will be allowed one checked bag.

All other customers will be charged for their first and second checked bags, starting on flights booked on or after May 28, 2025.

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What we don't know:

It’s unclear how much Southwest will charge for a checked bag.

Dig deeper:

Last month, Southwest said it was eliminating 1,750 jobs, or 15% of its corporate workforce, in the first major layoffs in the company's 53-year history.

The job cuts, which are scheduled to be mostly completed by the end of June, are part of a plan by the airline to slash costs and transform the company into a "leaner, faster, and more agile organization," Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.

"This decision is unprecedented in our 53-year history, and change requires that we make difficult decisions," Jordan said.

The news this week is one of several changes announced by the carrier in recent months. Last summer, Southwest announced plans to end its open seating policy – breaking a 50-year tradition for the carrier.