© Mark Hoffman via Imagn Content Services, LLC
(Dallas, TX) — Southwest Airlines is ending their popular “bags fly free” promotion. The Texas-based carrier says the move was made to “drive revenue growth.”
It’s an about face for Southwest CEO Bob Jordan, who said back in September that having no bag fees was a “huge consumer advantage.” Southwest is also set to end “open seating” in the first half of 2026.
Southwest was the only major U.S. carrier that allowed customers to check two bags at no cost, a strategy that company executives have said differentiates it from rivals.
But the policy change, which would take effect on May 28th, runs the risk of driving away customers.
Under the new policy, the airline will continue to offer two free checked bags to loyal customers with the highest status, A-List Preferred, and passengers who pay the most premium fare.
Customers with lower loyalty status, A-List, will get one free checked bag. The carrier will credit one checked bag for passengers who hold its co-branded credit card.
Those who do not qualify for its free bag options will be charged for their first and second checked bags.
