Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage: Free Bags, Fees & Limits

Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage: The Big Picture

Southwest Airlines is the last major U.S. carrier to offer two free checked bags per passenger on every fare. While competitors charge $35–$40 for a first checked bag, Southwest includes two bags at no extra cost — a policy that has become a genuine competitive differentiator and a major reason many travelers pick Southwest over lower-advertised-fare rivals.

Understanding exactly what "free" covers — and where additional charges kick in — helps you avoid surprises at the ticket counter.

How Many Free Bags Does Southwest Allow?

Every ticketed passenger on Southwest — regardless of fare type, route, or loyalty status — receives two free checked bags. There are no fare-class exceptions. Whether you book the base Wanna Get Away fare or the premium Business Select fare, your two checked bags are included.

This applies to:

All domestic U.S. routes
U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands)
International routes operated by Southwest

Rapid Rewards elite tiers (A-List and A-List Preferred) do not provide additional free bag allowances because the two-free-bag benefit already applies universally. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card and other Southwest co-branded cards do not add checked bag benefits either — they're not needed.

Weight Limit: 50 lbs (23 kg) Per Bag

Each of your two free checked bags must weigh 50 lbs (23 kg) or less. This is consistent with the standard U.S. domestic weight limit used by most carriers.

If a bag weighs more than 50 lbs, it is considered overweight and incurs additional fees. Southwest does not accept bags weighing more than 100 lbs (45 kg) under any circumstances — items that heavy must travel as cargo.

Overweight fee schedule:

Weight	Fee Per Bag
51–100 lbs (23–45 kg)	$75 each way
Over 100 lbs (45+ kg)	Not accepted as checked baggage

If you're packing dense items — books, shoes, sports gear, camera equipment — weigh your bag at home before heading to the airport. A luggage scale costs under $15 and pays for itself the first time it saves you a $75 overweight charge.

Size Limit: 62 Linear Inches

Southwest's checked baggage size limit is 62 linear inches (length + width + height combined). For a standard rolling suitcase, this corresponds roughly to a large checked bag — typically 27–29 inches tall.

To calculate your bag's linear inches: measure length, width, and depth (including wheels and handles), then add the three numbers together. A 28" × 19" × 10" bag = 57 linear inches, well within the limit.

Oversized fee:

Size	Fee Per Bag
Over 62 linear inches	$75 each way

A bag can trigger both the overweight and oversize fee simultaneously if it exceeds both limits, resulting in a $150 charge for that single bag.

Bags 3 and Beyond: Additional Bag Fees

After the first two free bags, each additional bag costs $75 per bag, each way. This applies uniformly regardless of fare class or Rapid Rewards status.

Most travelers won't hit this limit, but extended-stay travelers, families checking sports equipment, or people relocating may need to plan accordingly. For moves or large shipments, Southwest Cargo is a separate option worth exploring.

Oversized and Overweight Items: Combined Rules

Southwest consolidates oversized and overweight items under a flat $75 fee structure. Here is the complete picture:

Bags 1–2: Free if within 50 lbs and 62 linear inches
Bags 1–2 that are overweight OR oversize: $75 per bag, per way
Bags 1–2 that are both overweight AND oversize: $150 per bag, per way (both fees apply)
Bags 3 and beyond: $75 per bag, per way (plus overweight/oversize fees if applicable)

Sports Equipment Policy

Southwest accepts a wide range of sporting goods as checked baggage. Most items count as one of your two free checked bags (subject to weight and size limits) or are charged the standard additional-bag fee if you've already used your two free bags.

Golf Equipment

Golf bags are accepted as standard checked baggage. Southwest recommends a hard-sided golf travel case for protection. Golf bags must be within the 50 lb / 62 linear inch limits; those exceeding these limits incur the $75 overweight or oversize fee.

Skiing and Snowboarding Equipment

Ski and snowboard bags — including skis/poles or a snowboard — count as one checked bag. They're subject to normal weight and size limits. Most ski bags exceed 62 linear inches, triggering the $75 oversize fee. Hard-sided ski cases are heavier; soft bags may help stay under the 50 lb threshold.

Bicycles

Bicycles are accepted if boxed in a hard-sided case or cardboard bicycle box. The bike must be properly packaged with handlebars turned parallel to the frame and pedals removed. Each bicycle counts as one bag:

Within 62 linear inches: subject to normal bag fees
Over 62 linear inches: $75 oversize fee applies
Bicycle in standard cardboard bike box: typically exceeds 62 linear inches, so the oversize fee applies in most cases

Surfboards and Paddleboards

Surfboards and paddleboards are accepted at a flat $75 fee per board, per way, regardless of your two free bag allowance. They count as an additional bag and must be packaged in a padded board bag.

Firearms

Southwest accepts unloaded firearms in locked, hard-sided cases as checked baggage. Passengers must declare firearms at the ticket counter. Ammunition must be in manufacturer's original packaging or hard-sided containers and securely packed. All FAA and TSA regulations apply.

Items Southwest Does Not Accept as Checked Baggage

Lithium battery-powered devices exceeding airline limits (must be carried on)
Hoverboards and self-balancing scooters
Gasoline-powered equipment with residual fuel
Any single item exceeding 100 lbs (45 kg)
Hazardous materials (per FAA regulations)

Southwest vs. Competitors: Checked Bag Cost Comparison

Southwest's two-free-bags policy makes it the clear winner on baggage costs for most leisure travelers.

Airline	First Bag	Second Bag
Southwest Airlines	Free	Free
American Airlines	$35 (basic economy: $40)	$45
Delta Air Lines	$35	$45
United Airlines	$35	$45
JetBlue (Blue fare)	$35	$45
Alaska Airlines	$35	$45
Spirit Airlines	$42–$79 (varies)	$42–$79 (varies)

On a round-trip flight where both travelers check two bags, Southwest's policy saves a family approximately $280–$360 compared to legacy carrier bag fees. That can offset a fare premium and still come out ahead on total trip cost.

Tips for Checking Bags on Southwest

Weigh at home. Use a handheld luggage scale before leaving. The 50 lb limit catches travelers off-guard when shoes, books, and souvenirs accumulate.

Check bag dimensions. Large suitcases marketed as "27-inch" or "29-inch" often have wheels and handles that push the total over 62 linear inches. Measure the whole bag, not just the shell.

Check in online. Southwest's boarding position system (A, B, C groups) doesn't affect checked bags, but early check-in (24 hours before departure) gets you a better boarding position for your carry-on overhead bin space if you're bringing a cabin bag too.

EarlyBird Check-In. If you purchase EarlyBird Check-In ($15–$25 per leg), Southwest auto-checks you in 36 hours before departure. This doesn't affect your checked bags, but it helps with overhead bin boarding.

Southwest mobile app. Track your bag via the app using Southwest's baggage tracking feature, available at select airports. You can also receive gate and flight alerts that include baggage carousel information upon arrival.

Rapid Rewards and Checked Bag Benefits

Southwest's Rapid Rewards loyalty program doesn't layer extra bag benefits onto the two-free-bag policy because all passengers already receive two bags free. However, elite status affects other parts of the travel experience:

A-List: Priority check-in lane, priority security lane (at select airports), bonus points
A-List Preferred: Same as A-List plus complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi and bonus points

Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards (Chase-issued) earn points but do not unlock additional bag benefits — again, because the free-bag policy is universal.

Bottom Line

Southwest Airlines' checked baggage policy is the simplest and most generous among major U.S. carriers: two bags free, 50 lbs each, 62 linear inches each. Overweight and oversized fees are $75 per qualifying bag. Sports equipment follows standard bag rules with a few item-specific exceptions (surfboards are $75 flat).

For travelers who regularly check bags, this policy is worth factoring into fare comparisons — two bags per traveler, round trip, can represent several hundred dollars in savings over airlines that charge per bag.