Southwest Airways is altering certainly one of its insurance policies after eradicating its open-seating choice. Now, the corporate is eliminating its extensively favored perk: free checked luggage. The transfer comes amid a altering financial panorama for all airline firms, as many have upped costs and switched their respective insurance policies on checked luggage and seat upgrades.
Beneath, be taught all about Southwest Airways’ current coverage adjustments.
Does Southwest Enable Free Checked Luggage?
Till Might 28, 2025, Southwest Airways will permit free checked luggage. The airline will start charging every buyer’s first and second checked bag apart from A-list loyalty program members or these touring on a enterprise fare, per CNN.
For many years, Southwest’s staple has been the promise of free checked baggage. Even when opponents elevated their costs on luggage, the airline remained agency on its coverage — till now.
Why Did Southwest Change Its Baggage Coverage?
Southwest’s CEO, Bob Jordan, cited “profitability” as the rationale behind the checked baggage fare change. In accordance with an announcement from a press launch, Jordan mentioned, “We’ve got great alternative to satisfy present and future buyer wants, appeal to new buyer segments we don’t compete for at present, and return to the degrees of profitability that each we and our shareholders anticipate.”
Does Any Airline Enable Free Checked Luggage?
No different U.S. airline permits free checked luggage for all clients. Some firms provide free checked baggage for sure clients, equivalent to rewards program members.
How A lot Does a Southwest Airline Checked Bag Value?
Per CNN, Southwest Airways didn’t specify how a lot it’ll value to examine a bag beginning in Might 2025. The corporate additionally didn’t specify when it could take away its open-seating coverage. Nevertheless, in July 2024, Southwest introduced that it could transition to an assigned-seating format for passengers.
“The analysis is obvious and signifies that 80% of Southwest clients, and 86% of potential clients, favor an assigned seat,” Southwest mentioned in an announcement on the time. “By shifting to an assigned seating mannequin, Southwest expects to broaden its enchantment and appeal to extra flying from its present and future clients.”
