Southwest Airlines Increasing Checked Bag Fees on April 9
Upgraded Points • • business
Key Points:
- Starting April 9, 2026, Southwest Airlines will increase checked bag fees by $10 for the first and second bags on tickets booked from that date, raising the fees to $45 and $55 respectively.
- This change follows Southwest's recent end to its policy of offering two free checked bags for all passengers as of May 28, 2025, aligning with similar fee hikes by other U.S. carriers like JetBlue, United, and Delta.
- Passengers can still access free checked bags by booking Choice Preferred fares, holding Southwest A-List status, using a Southwest Airlines credit card, or being active-duty military members.
- The fee for a third checked bag and charges for overweight or oversized bags will remain unchanged despite the new increases.
- Travelers planning to check luggage on Southwest flights are advised to book before April 9, 2026, to avoid the higher fees.
