Those Two Free Checked Bags Will Now Cost You $160 on a Southwest Round-Trip Flight

Southwest Reveals New Checked Bag Fees

After more than 50 years, Southwest Airlines’ “bags fly free” is no more. As of yesterday, guests who book Southwest flights will have to pay for bags unless they have a Southwest card or A-List status.

Southwest has posted the pricing for checked bags on its website with the first checked bag costing $35, and a second checked bag $45. So those two checked bags that were previously free, will cost you $160 on a round-trip flights. The new policy only applies to flights booked and ticketed and/or changed on or after May 28, 2025.

Southwest notes that if a Companion Pass Member qualifies for one or two free checked bags (based, for example, on tier status or the type of fare purchased), the benefit will apply to their Companion.

Southwest Bag Fees

For travel booked and ticketed and/or changed on or after May 28, 2025, the following fees apply:

For interisland Hawaii travel booked and ticketed and/or changed on or after May 28, 2025, the following fees apply:

For travel booked and ticketed before May 28, 2025, you still get two checked bags for free: