Sports Equipment
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The following items may be checked at no charge (unless a charge is specified), and will count toward the two-piece free baggage allowance for each fare-paying passenger. Overweight and/or oversize charges may apply.
Tennis racquets should be properly protected to prevent damage. If a racquet is not properly covered, it will be conditionally accepted. Southwest assumes no liability for damage sustained during transport.
Skateboards are allowed as carryons. If the skateboard fits under the seat, it does not need to be in a bag or covered, but it does have to be stowed with the wheels up so that it doesn't roll. If stowed in an overhead bin, a skateboard must be stowed with the wheels up and needs to be in a bag or have the wheels covered (trash bag is acceptable) so as not to damage other articles.
Golf clubs in a hooded or soft-sided golf bag are conditionally accepted. Golf clubs that are transported in a hard, plastic travel case should be tagged with a regular tag. Golf equipment includes golf clubs, golf balls, and golf shoes, contained in one bag.
Bowling balls may be accepted as checked or carryon baggage in an appropriate bowling bag, which has a metal frame specifically designed for transporting bowling balls. Any bowling ball that is not packed in an appropriate bowling ball bag will be conditionally accepted. Bowling balls carried onboard must be stowed underneath the seat only.
SCUBA equipment is conditionally accepted as checked baggage provided the SCUBA tank is verifiably empty and the valves are removed at the time of acceptance. SCUBA equipment includes masks, flippers, and a tank.
Fishing rods and tackle boxes will be accepted as checked or carryon baggage provided the carryon rod fits securely in the overhead bin when enclosed in a cylindrical fishing rod container. A container may be purchased from Southwest Airlines for $10.00. When checking rods, containers may measure three inches in diameter and up to 91 inches in length. Fishing equipment includes a fishing rod and a fishing tackle box.
Archery equipment is conditionally accepted only as checked baggage provided the bow and arrows are in a suitable case or container. Average size targets are also acceptable. Archery equipment includes bow, arrows, and average size target.
Knives, dress sabers and swords are allowed in checked baggage only.
Snow or water skis are accepted when enclosed in a suitable container. Southwest Airlines provides free plastic bags for ski equipment. These bags are used to prevent the various components of ski equipment from becoming separated. The skis will be conditionally accepted unless they are being transported in a hard, plastic case or standard ski bag. Snow ski equipment consists of one pair each of skis, ski poles, and boots. Water-ski equipment includes one pair of skis and one life preserver or vest. Snowboard equipment includes one snowboard and one pair of boots.
When substituting ski equipment for a free bag, Southwest Airlines allows up to two bags (containing one set of snow skis, ski poles, and ski boots) to count as one item, even if they are packed and tagged separately. (overweight charges may still apply.)
Parachutes are allowed in checked or carryon baggage, but may not be worn in flight.
Hockey and Lacrosse sticks will be accepted as checked baggage but will count toward the sporting goods free allowance.
Surfboards will be transported as checked baggage for a fixed charge of $50.00 each way. Keels and fins must be removed and placed in carryon or checked baggage.
Boogieboards/wakeboards may be checked in substitution of one piece of the free baggage allowance for each fare-paying Customer at no charge on a one-for one basis. Overweight charges may apply.
Windsurfing/sail boards may be transported as checked baggage for a fixed charge of $50.00 each way. They must be transported with keel removed and placed in checked baggage to prevent damage to the sail, boom, and other baggage.
Vaulting poles may be transported as checked baggage for a fixed charge of $50.00 each way. Rigid covers or containers cannot be used to transport them.
Non-motorized Bicycles, including Bike Friday and Co-Pilot, will be accepted in substitution of a free piece of checked baggage at no additional charge provided the bicycle is properly packaged and the box containing the bicycle fits within the 62-inch sizing limit and weighs 50 lbs or less . (Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage). The handlebars, kickstand, and pedals must be removed and placed inside the box. A $50.00 each-way charge applies to bicycles that dont meet the above criteria. Bicycles packaged in a cardboard box or soft-sided case will be transported as a conditionally accepted item.
Life rafts may be transported as checked baggage for a $50.00 charge. If the life raft meets the carryon sizing criteria it may be carried onboard, but will count as a carryon bag. Cartridges associated with a self-inflating life raft must be removed and are not allowed on Southwest.
Self-inflating life vests with two small gas cylinders (cartridges) and two small spare cylinders are allowed in checked baggage.
