Southwest AirlinesWN

Southwest Airlines is the largest domestic carrier in the United States by passengers boarded. Operating an all-Boeing 737 fleet of 810 aircraft, Southwest carries over 140 million passengers annually with a point-to-point network (rather than traditional hub-and-spoke).

Southwest built its reputation on the "Bags Fly Free" policy, no change fees, and open seating. However, significant changes are coming in 2025-2026: checked bag fees now apply to most fares (effective May 28, 2025), and assigned seating replaces open boarding (January 27, 2026).

The airline operates independently with no alliance membership, focusing exclusively on the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

IMPORTANT: "Bags Fly Free" Changes (May 28, 2025)

Southwest's famous "Bags Fly Free" policy has ended for most fares. Only Choice Extra (formerly Business Select) and elite members still receive free checked bags.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (free on all fares):

• Dimensions: 16.25" × 13.5" × 8" (41 × 34 × 20 cm)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you

Cabin Bag (free on all fares):

• Dimensions: 24" × 16" × 10" (61 × 41 × 25 cm) including handles/wheels
• No weight limit (must be able to lift yourself)

Fare Type	Personal Item	Cabin Bag
All Fares	✓ Free	✓ Free

Checked Baggage (Flights Booked After May 28, 2025)

Fare Type	1st Bag	2nd Bag	Weight Limit
Basic	$35	$45	50 lbs (23 kg)
Choice	$35	$45	50 lbs (23 kg)
Choice Preferred	$35	$45	50 lbs (23 kg)
Choice Extra	FREE	FREE	50 lbs (23 kg)

Who Still Gets Free Checked Bags:

• Choice Extra fare: 2 free bags
• A-List Preferred members: 2 free bags
• A-List members: 1 free bag
• Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers: 1 free bag (cardholder only)
• Getaways by Southwest customers: 2 free bags

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Category	Fee
Overweight (51-70 lbs / 24-32 kg)	$150
Overweight (71-100 lbs / 33-45 kg)	$200
Oversized (63-80 in / 160-203 cm)	$200
Both overweight AND oversized	$200 (single fee)

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Oversize waived up to 115 in
Skis/snowboards	Standard bag fee	Ski bag + boot bag = 1 item
Surfboard	Standard bag fee	Hawaii residents: free inter-island
Car seat	FREE	Gate-check available
Stroller	FREE	Gate-check available
Wheelchair	FREE	Does not count toward allowance

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at southwest.com/travel-fees.

Seating

Aircraft	Seats	Pitch	Width
Boeing 737-700	143	31"	17.1"
Boeing 737-800	175	32"	17.8"
Boeing 737 MAX 8	175	32"	17.8"

Open Seating (Until January 27, 2026):

• No assigned seats—choose any open seat when boarding
• Boarding position based on check-in time (A, B, C groups)
• Choice Extra gets priority boarding (positions A1-A15)

Assigned Seating (Starting January 27, 2026):

• Southwest will implement assigned seats
• Standard pitch: 31"
• Extra Legroom seats: 34-35" pitch available for purchase

Entertainment & WiFi

Feature	Details
Seatback screens	None—streaming only
Entertainment	FREE via Southwest app (movies, TV, music)
WiFi cost	$8 per device per flight
Free WiFi	A-List Preferred, Choice Extra; ALL Rapid Rewards members FREE starting Oct 24, 2025
Free messaging	iMessage, WhatsApp available without WiFi purchase

Note: Netflix, HBO Max, Zoom, and Teams are blocked due to bandwidth.

Food & Beverage

Item	Details
Soft drinks	Complimentary on all flights
Snacks	Pretzels, cookies on flights 251+ miles; OREO on 1,550+ miles
Alcohol	For purchase ($6); credit card only
Premium drinks	FREE: A-List Preferred (2 per leg), Choice Extra (1 coupon)
Meals	Not available—bring your own food

Booking:

• Book directly on southwest.com—Southwest doesn't sell through OTAs
• Set fare alerts; prices can drop after booking (Southwest honors lower price)
• Basic fare is risky—no changes allowed and only 6-month credit

Check-In:

• Set an alarm for exactly 24 hours before departure
• EarlyBird ($15-25) is worth it for popular flights
• Choice Extra guarantees A1-A15—best if you need specific seats

Maximizing Value:

• Companion Pass is the holy grail—earn through 100 flights or credit card signup bonus
• Southwest credit cards earn toward Companion Pass Qualifying Points
• Rapid Rewards Shopping portal earns bonus points at retailers

At the Airport:

• No seat selection = arrive at gate early to queue for your boarding group
• Families with young children board between A and B groups
• Window and aisle seats go first—middle seats last

Open Seating Strategy (Until Jan 2026):

• A group: Pick any seat; aim for exit row or front
• B group: Windows/aisles near middle or back
• C group: Prepare for middle seats

Common Issues:

• No seatback screens—download Southwest app and content before flight
• No meals—bring your own food for longer flights
• WiFi blocks streaming services (Netflix, etc.)