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Southwest Airlines Baggage Allowance
The exact Southwest Airlines cabin bag size, checked baggage allowance by fare brand and excess baggage fees — copied from the official Southwest Airlines baggage policy and checked on 30 October 2026.
Policy checked: 30 October 2026 · Source: official Southwest Airlines website (link below)
Southwest Airlines baggage allowance at a glance
Cabin: 1 carry-on bag free, max external dimensions 10 x 16 x 24 inches
· Personal item: 1 smaller personal-type item free (e.g. purse, briefcase, laptop case, backpack, small camera), must be stowable under a seat or in an overhead compartment; no dimensions stated on official fees page
Checked (Basic / Choice / Choice Preferred (U.S. mainland, booked/ticketed/changed on or after April 9, 2026)): 1st checked bag $45, 2nd checked bag $55, each way
How Southwest Airlines counts your baggage
Southwest Airlines uses the piece concept: your allowance is counted in bags (pieces), and each piece has its own weight and size limit. Two lighter bags are not automatically the same as one heavier bag — check the per-piece limit in the table below.
Southwest Airlines cabin baggage allowance
| Personal item | 1 smaller personal-type item free (e.g. purse, briefcase, laptop case, backpack, small camera), must be stowable under a seat or in an overhead compartment; no dimensions stated on official fees page |
| Cabin bag | 1 carry-on bag free, max external dimensions 10 x 16 x 24 inches |
| Notes | Carry-on plus one personal item is always free on all fares, per southwest.com. |
Southwest Airlines checked baggage allowance by fare
| Fare / class | Checked baggage allowance |
|---|---|
| Basic / Choice / Choice Preferred (U.S. mainland, booked/ticketed/changed on or after April 9, 2026) | 1st checked bag $45, 2nd checked bag $55, each way |
| Choice Extra | First and second checked bags free |
| A-List Preferred / A-List / Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers | A-List Preferred: two free checked bags; A-List and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers: first checked bag free (cardmember plus up to 8 passengers on same reservation) |
Southwest no longer offers two free checked bags on all fares: bag fees apply to Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares. Standard checked bag limit: up to 50 pounds each and 62 inches (length + width + height), wheels and handles included, per official checked bag policy page.
Excess and extra baggage fees
| Overweight bags | 51-70 pounds: $100; 71-100 pounds: $200, in addition to the standard baggage fee (U.S. mainland) |
| Prepaid online vs airport | Oversized items over 62 inches up to 80 inches: $200 per item plus standard baggage fee; only one $200 charge applies if a piece is both oversized and overweight up to 100 lbs; customer limited to 20 checked pieces per flight |
| Currency | USD |
Special items on Southwest Airlines
Sports equipment
Accepted sporting equipment listed in the Help Center is treated as a standard bag; oversized fees waived for listed equipment, standard excess and overweight fees may apply
Pets
Small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs accepted in cabin in an appropriate carrier; each pet carrier counts as a carry-on or personal item
Frequently asked questions
What is the cabin baggage allowance on Southwest Airlines?
Cabin bag: 1 carry-on bag free, max external dimensions 10 x 16 x 24 inches Personal item: 1 smaller personal-type item free (e.g. purse, briefcase, laptop case, backpack, small camera), must be stowable under a seat or in an overhead compartment; no dimensions stated on official fees page Carry-on plus one personal item is always free on all fares, per southwest.com.
How much checked baggage is included on Southwest Airlines?
Basic / Choice / Choice Preferred (U.S. mainland, booked/ticketed/changed on or after April 9, 2026): 1st checked bag $45, 2nd checked bag $55, each way; Choice Extra: First and second checked bags free; A-List Preferred / A-List / Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers: A-List Preferred: two free checked bags; A-List and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers: first checked bag free (cardmember plus up to 8 passengers on same reservation) Southwest no longer offers two free checked bags on all fares: bag fees apply to Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares. Standard checked bag limit: up to 50 pounds each and 62 inches (length + width + height), wheels and handles included, per official checked bag policy page.
What happens if my bag is overweight on Southwest Airlines?
51-70 pounds: $100; 71-100 pounds: $200, in addition to the standard baggage fee (U.S. mainland)
Is it cheaper to buy extra baggage online with Southwest Airlines?
Oversized items over 62 inches up to 80 inches: $200 per item plus standard baggage fee; only one $200 charge applies if a piece is both oversized and overweight up to 100 lbs; customer limited to 20 checked pieces per flight
Policy checked: 30 October 2026. Airlines change allowances and fees — confirm on the official page before you travel.