Southwest Airlines Baggage Policies & Fees [2024]

If you are confused with the Southwest Airlines Baggage Policies, read this article carefully where you will find the information in an easy manner.

Like other airlines, Southwest also has its own baggage policy for checked baggage, carry-on baggage, dangerous goods, and other items.

As a passenger, you are required to follow all the policies to travel with Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines Baggage Policies

Southwest Airlines is one of the major carriers in the United States that operates flights to over 120 domestic destinations and international routes. The airline has its headquarters in Dallas, Texas, and operates from 11 bases located at different airports across the country.

At present, Southwest operates with Boeing 737 aircraft and is also known as the largest operator of 737 jets in the world.

Every airline across the globe is required to maintain and implement baggage policies for safe travel. 

Southwest Airlines has its own policies for Checked Baggage, Carry-on Baggage, International Travel, Cargo, Human Remains, and so on. 

Southwest Airlines Baggage Allowance

The airline allows two checked baggage per ticket however, there are size and weight limitations.

Let’s find out the policies in detail below.

Policy for Checked Baggage

As per the baggage allowance, passengers opting to fly with Southwest Airlines are allowed to carry checked baggage weighing 50 lbs or less with an overall dimension of 62 inches including Length, Width, and Height (L+W+H).

Passengers have to pay an additional amount if they carry bags exceeding the weight of 50 lbs.

• Up to 50 pounds each
• 62 inches in size (length + width + height)
• Three+ Bags: $125 per bag
• Oversize Bag: $125 per bag (max 80 inches)
• Overweight Bag: $100 per bag (51 – 70 lbs.) OR $125 per bag (71 – 100 lbs.)

Policy for Carry-on Baggage

Passengers can carry one carry-on bag and a personal item on every Southwest Airlines flight. Both the bags have their own size and weight limitations.

The dimension of the Carry-on bag must be 10 in x 16 in x 24 in (L x W x H) and it must fit in the overhead bin of the aircraft. 

One carryon bag

• Goes in the overhead bin
• Size limits: 24” (L) + 16” (W) + 10” (H)
• Examples: roller bag, a small suitcase

One carryon personal item

• Goes under your seat
• Size limits: must fit in the 16.25” (L) x 13.5” (W) x 8” (H)^* space under the seat
• Examples: backpack, purse, laptop bag

Some important things to consider while using a Carry-on Bag.

• If the dimensions of your Carry-on bag exceed the dimensions mentioned above, it will be checked at the gate. With that, you are required to claim your bag at the baggage claim area.

• Passengers must make sure any sharp items like needles, syringes, medical accessories, and so on are properly secured so that no injuries occur while handling.

• If you are carrying a needle or syringe, you are instructed to inform the cabin crew to request a disposal container.

• In addition to a carry-on bag, you can carry a personal item on the Southwest flight that may include laptops, food containers, briefcases, cameras, purses, and others.

• The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you otherwise, you need to keep it in the overhead bin.

• What items are not counted in Carry-on bags or personal items limit?

• Items like outer garments, walking canes, umbrellas, foods with disposable packaging, assistive/mobility devices, and child restraint devices can be carried without limitations and also are not counted against the carry-on bags or personal items.

Important Policies on Carry-on Bags and Personal Items

• You can carry one quarter-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in the Carry-on bag; however, the quantity is limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) per item.

• During the screening process, passengers are required to keep the liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols in a small separated bag.

• Those items resulting in alarms during the screening process will be prohibited in the flight.

• Important items like medications, and infant and child nourishment are exempt from the rules.

• You can carry a total of 20 spare batteries; however, they must be with you on board. 

• You are allowed to carry e-cigarettes on board but cannot be used.

• You can carry only one lighter and it must be kept in your Carry-on Bag.

• Passengers can carry one stroller and one Child Restraint System (CRS) without additional charge. 

Restricted Items on Southwest Airlines Flight

There are various restrictions imposed by Federal Law on passenger flights. Such restrictions are implemented for safe flight operations.

Here are the major items that are flagged as dangerous and prohibited on passenger flights.

• Aerosol Insecticide
• Alcoholic Beverages with over 70% alcohol
• Bang Snaps
• Bear Bangers
• Bear Spray
• Blasting Caps
• Butane
• Chlorine for Pools and Spas
• CO2 Cartridge
• Cooking Spray
• Dynamite
• Engine-powered Equipment with Residual Fuel
• Firecrackers and Fireworks
• Fertilizer
• Fire Extinguishers and Compressed Gas Cylinders
• Flammable Liquid, Gel, or Aerosol Paint
• Flares and Flare Guns
• Fuels, Gas Torches, and Gasoline
• Gun Lighters and Gunpowder
• Hand Grenades and other Explosives

There are some items specified as hazardous material (HAZMAT) however, they can be carried in checked bags with Special Instructions. Some examples include Aerosol Insecticide,  Ammunition, Battery-powered wheelchairs/mobility devices, Camp Stoves, Compressed Air Guns, and much more.

For full details, you can visit the official website of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Southwest Airlines Pet Travel Policy

If you’re traveling on flights operated by Southwest, your sole choice for bringing along your pet is to have them accompany you as a carry-on. Southwest Airlines permits passengers to journey with small, vaccinated domestic pets (specifically cats and dogs) in the cabin for the majority of their flights, excluding international ones.

Customers can purchase Southwest Airlines branded pet carriers for a price of US$58 inclusive of tax at any Southwest Airport Ticket counter or online.

The dimension of the Southwest Airlines branded Pet Carrier is 17in x 9.5in x 10in (L x H x W). If you bring your own pet carrier, it must not exceed the maximum allowed dimension of 18.5in x 8.5in x 13.5in (L x H x W).

Southwest Airlines Baggage Fees 

If your bag is overweight or oversized or exceeds the airlines’ weight and size limitation, you are required to pay additional charges.

CONDITION	ADDITIONAL CHARGE
Items weighing 51 lbs to 100 lbs	$75.00 per item (One-way charge)
Items weighing more than 100 lbs	Must be shipped as Air Cargo (Charges Vary)

Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy for Military

Almost every airline in the United States offers benefits to Military personnel. Those military passengers traveling on active duty or permanent change of stations can benefit from the baggage limits exception.

Military Passengers can carry two-piece baggage for free and no additional charges are applied if bags are oversized and overweight. However, the bags must not exceed 100 lbs weight and have an overall dimensional limitation of 80 inches (L+W+H).

Southwest Airlines Baggage Claim

Mishandling of baggage is a common problem for almost all airlines in the world. Passengers sometimes have to go through hefty procedures to claim their bags after being lost, delayed, or damaged.

In the context of Southwest Airlines, passengers must submit a report in person to the airline’s Baggage Service Office located in the baggage claim area or at the ticket counter if their baggage is mishandled, lost, delayed, or damaged. 

Southwest Airlines Baggage Phone Number

Passengers can also call the Baggage Service officer using the phone number 1-855-234-4654.

After submitting the report, passengers can view the status of their baggage claim by visiting the Nettracer website. You are required to input your Last Name and File ID to log in and see the status of your baggage claim. 

Southwest Airlines Baggage Tracking

If your baggage is lost, delayed, or damaged, you can use the Nettracer application to track the status of your baggage claim. For that, you need to report to the Baggage Service Office and get the File ID.

You can log in to the Nettracer app by using your Last Name and File ID. With that, you can track your baggage claim status.

FAQs on Southwest Airlines Baggage Policies