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Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy

Southwest Airlines is the biggest low-priced carrier in the world and the main American airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas. It consists of the maximum number of domestic passengers. With the growing numbers of customers, they make their policies flexible and understandable. If you talk about the baggage policy of Southwest airlines, they provide a number of extended services with flexibility. To know more about Southwest baggage policy read all along to the end of this page.

If you come here for the Southwest Airlines reservation & booking, you can just visit our homepage or you can also dial our toll-free number +1-800-831-1547 to get a solution to your problem. However, if you are interested in getting baggage information about Southwest Airlines, read this article.

Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage Policy

For the checked bag policy maximum weight allowed is 23 kilograms or 50 pounds and the maximum linear dimensions are 9158 centimeters or 62 inches (size limit). The only airline that provides two free checked bags is Southwest Airlines and for third plus bags, $75 will be charged.

Southwest Airlines baggage policy includes the following rules

  • 1 personal item – Free
  • 1 carry-on item – Free
  • Checked baggage if more than 2 bags then you have to pay $75. Applicable costs according to bag quantity.
  • Overweight and Oversized bags – Applicable costs according to bag depending on weight and size. Overweight and oversized bags that cost around $75 will be charged.
  • Sports equipment – Certain items may have relevant charges.
  • If you checked baggage for an international flight then you have to go to the ticket counter because curb-side check-in and checked baggage are not allowed for international flights.

Southwest Airlines Carry-On Baggage  policy

It allows 1 personal item like a purse, laptop bag, and briefcase and only 1 carry-on bag fee is free for each passenger.
Following size and weight, the restriction should not be exceeded in carry-on baggage:

  • Including handles and wheels, the bag should be within 127 centimeters or 50 linear inches 
  • Fit below the seat in front of you or within the overhead bin.
  • The size limit of a carry-on bag is 24″(L)x16″(W)x10″(H). Examples roller bag, suitcase
  • The size limit of the carry-on personal items is 16.5″(L)x13.5″(W)x8″(H). Example backpack, purse, laptop bag

Lap-Little one carry-on policy:

In addition to an adult’s carry-on baggage allowance, no carry-on item is permitted.

Stroller Check Policy:

Customers with children are allowed one stroller and the car seat to be checked at the gate or ticket counter without any fee.

Southwest Airlines Hold Luggage Policy

The details of the hold luggage policy of Southwest Airlines are the following:

  • 23 kilograms or 50 pounds maximum weight is allowed.
  • 157 centimeters or 62 inches are the maximum dimensions allowed.
  • The maximum bags allowed is 2 bags standard up to 10 bags. 

Southwest Airlines Baggage fees

Details of Southwest baggage size, weight, and fees are given below in the tabular form:

Baggage CategoryMax Size(L+B+H)Max WeightFee
First checked bag62 inches50 lb$0
Second checked bag62 inches50 lb$0
Third+ checked bags62 inches50 lb$75
Overweight bags62 inches51 to 99  lb+$75
Oversized  bags63 to 80 inches50 lb+$75

Sports Equipment Fees in Southwest baggage rules

Southwest Airlines will be accepted sports equipment with size and baggage weight limits like skis, hockey, golf bags, lacrosse equipment, and fishing equipment and count as one checked bag and associated fees will be applied. You must always know about the airline’s cancellation policy and flight change policy before booking a flight ticket with any particular airline because these policies are something that can give you huge benefits in times if you know how to use them and what are your rights over the canceled tickets.

Southwest Musical Instrument Policy

Musical instruments are also permitted in Southwest airlines if they fit under the seat or within the overhead. If you want to take a larger instrument with you then you have to purchase a seat for it.

Bringing Pets on Board in Southwest Airlines

Southwest airlines allowed to be carried small domestic cats and dogs into the cabin, not more than 8.5 inches high * 18.5 inches long * 133.5 inches wide or 21.59*46.99*34.99 centimeters. For each pet carrier, $95 will be charged one way.

Southwest Airlines Late check-in Policy

Allow sufficient time for it to be placed on your flight when checking baggage. Before less than 45 minutes baggage checked at the ticket counter for scheduled departure will be tagged with a Late Check-In tag.

Restricted and Non-restricted Items

Many common items are restricted in Southwest airlines by the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration. A list of restricted items is given below:

  • Alcoholic Beverages are allowed in both checked bags and carry-on bags but with some restrictions. In carry-on bags, you can only take 100 ml of alcohol is allowed.
  • Alcoholic beverages of more than 70 percent of alcohol are not allowed.
  • Antlers are allowed in southwest airlines but they must be fittable under the seat and in the overhead locker.
  • Artificial skeleton bones are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags.
  • Axes and Hatches are only allowed in Checked bags not allowed in carry-on bags.
  • Arc lighters, electronic lighters, and e-lighters are not allowed in southwest airlines.
  • An airbrush makeup machine is allowed in southwest airlines.
  • A baby carrier is allowed in both carry-on bags and checked bags.
  • Basketballs, baseballs, and soccer balls are also allowed in both checked bags and carry-on bags.
  • Sharp objects like box cutters, corkscrews with a blade, darts, kirpans, ice packs, and soo on are not allowed in carry-on bags but allowed in checked bags.
  • Knowing more about when is the right time to book a southwest airlines will help you in getting tickets at the right time when there is more availability and less amount to pay.

What if my Bag is found damaged or lost

Hopefully, it never happens to any customers but be careful about this mishap. Because Southwest Airlines is not taking any responsibility for any small dents and scratches even loss of money, jewelry, camera if couldn’t find your bag at the airport after landing.

For the international itinerary, Southwest’s liability is limited to 1288 SDR(special drawing rights) for each passenger. In case you lost your baggage then southwest is limited to pay not more than $3,800 if the loss is determined by their executive found real.

After landing if you didn’t find your bag then immediately contact the baggage claim area or the ticket counter at the airport within four hours of the landing.

Exclusions and Waivers

Free 3+bags with no charge for overweight and oversized bags for Military traveling on duty or for changing your station permanently.
In substitution with one of the free bags, some sporting items are also free with a maximum weight and size of  50 pounds or 60 inches. If the maximum weight and size of the items will increase then overweight and oversized charges may apply.
A list of Special sporting items are given below:

  • Bowing bag
  • Softball/ baseball equipment
  • Archery equipment
  • Skateboard
  • Scuba equipment
    • Air tanks must be empty
  • Water ski equipment
    • Excess weight and size charges may apply.
  • Kiteboard

Checked Bag in Southwest Airlines with Credit Cards

If you have credit cards, and you want to have the checked bag fee waived then you have four credit card options on Southwest Airlines. Details of credit card options are given in the tabular form:

  • Unlike Spirit Airlines, Southwest has a beneficial checked bag policy that allows two luggage consistent with the person. If you take a huge ride and want additional checked luggage, you could use one of the cards underneath to offset the cost.
  • Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card:  This no annual price card comes with a 20,000-mile welcome bonus (worth $200) when you spend $1,000 inside the first 3 months. When you operate your card for tour purchases (e.G. bags fees), use your miles to repay all, or components of, your statement! This is why we adore this card.
  • Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card: With a larger 50,000 welcome bonus (worth $500), it is a “large brother” card to VentureOne®  while you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months.

For Help

Contact number
1-800-435-9792

Write To
Southwest Airlines
P.O. Box 36647-1CR
Dallas, Texas 75235

In case of having any queries related to Southwest Airlines baggage policy fees & rules, you must feel free to contact Treknova for more assistance. We are always available to answer your problems and questions 24*7 at our toll-free number +1-800-831-1547. Or you can buy their services directly from us, simply go to our homepage treknova.com.

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