Guide On Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy

Southwest Airlines is one of the low-cost airlines that is loved a lot for the kind of services they provide to their passengers at a very low cost. Passengers all go carefree on Southwest Airlines flights because they know the airline knows the best of the passengers. But, at the end of the day, we are passengers. We have got our own things to worry about, so worrying regarding your baggage on Southwest is okay; if you won't worry about your baggage, your pet, or your children, then how would the airlines put these problems on priority and draft policies like this airline have a Southwest Pet policy, or Southwest Minor policy for instance.

However, you can stop worrying now because you have finally found your shoulder on whom you can rely; we, together, are going to uncover the entire baggage policy of Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy

There are three kinds of baggage that are allowed by the airlines; 1 Personal Carry-on item, 1 Carry-On Bag, and 2 Checked Bags.

Personal Carry-on Item

Personal Carry-on items can be a purse, briefcase, camera, food container, laptop, with case. The max size for your personal carry-on item can be 18.5in x 8.5in x 13.5in with no restrictions on weight, provided it fits under the passenger's front seat.

Carry-On Item

You can also carry one of the carry-on baggage with you inside the flight with a maximum size of 24in x 16in x 10in, including handles and wheels. However, there are no restrictions on weight, but the bag must fit in the overhead bin.

Note: Per the Baggage Policy, any carry-on baggage exceeding the specified dimension will be checked in at the gate. The passengers can claim their baggage at the baggage claim area after the flight.

Checked Baggage Allowance

• As per the baggage policy, the checked baggage allowance for the passenger is 2 free baggage, irrespective of the class you travel in.
• The maximum dimension of the baggage, including handles and wheel, should be 62 linear inches, and the maximum weight should be 50 lb.
• The baggage is checked in at the airport's ticket counter or the self-tagging kiosk service at least 3 hours before departure.
• Business Select Passengers, and Rapid Reward A-List members can check in their luggage faster using the Fly by Priority airport check-in lanes.

Late check-in Baggage

The passengers must check in their bags within the specific time of Southwest flights. When they check in the baggage late (within 45 minutes from departure or within), it would be considered a Late check-in, and the baggage may not land with you at the destination.

Excess Baggage Fees

Southwest Airlines charges excess baggage free of approximately USD 75/bag per way for each additional bag that you carry, provided the linear dimension not exceeding 62 linear dimensions and the weight not exceeding 50 lbs.

Overweight Baggage fees

When the weight of your baggage goes above 50 lbs but stays between 50lb -100lb, it would be charged as with an overweight baggage fee, USD 75/bag. And bags exceeding 100lb are to be shipped as cargo.

Oversized baggage fees

And, when the size of the baggage is between 62 - 80 inches, you will be again charged USD 75/bag, and bags exceeding 80 inches are not accepted by the airlines.

Southwest Airlines Military Baggage Allowance

The airline does provide an advantage to the active-duty or on-transfer U.S. military personnel with the 2-piece checked baggage limit; the maximum weight per bag can get 100lb, and the maximum size can get 80 linear inches.

Southwest Airlines on Music Equipment.

You can easily carry your music equipment with you as a carry-on and checked baggage. Below are the major points associated with the same.

Carry-On Musical Instrument

When trying to take a musical instrument as carry-on baggage, the only requirement is for your musical instrument to fit in the overhead bin or under your front seat, even if the size of your instrument exceeds the permissible size for carry-on items, that is, (10 inches * 16 inches * 24 inches).

Checked Musical Instrument

You can check in your musical instrument against 1 piece of your free checked baggage allowance. But you are only allowed to check in when the combined dimension is 150 inches, and the total weight is 165 lb.

Conclusion

This is for the entire Southwest Airlines Baggage policy that covers all the main points and agreements of baggage at the airlines. However, if you still have any concerns, you can contact us @ +1-571-989-4175. We would be more than happy to help you with any query associated with Southwest Airlines, be it Southwest Airlines reservation or cancelation, or modification. And the best part is we are available at any time of the day to assist you.

Also, read our blog - Southwest Cancelation Policy