Southwest Baggage Allowance

[Cinderella37]

Has anyone run into trouble with the baggage weight allowance on Southwest? We've always flown USAirways and while they have the same size restrictions as Southwest, we've never had a problem. Is Southwest very strict about weight? I need to know if I need cut down on my shoes...

 

[safetymom]

All the airlines are getting tougher on the weight of luggage. They have discovered a new source of revenue.

 

[pirateparrot]

Has anyone run into trouble with the baggage weight allowance on Southwest? We've always flown USAirways and while they have the same size restrictions as Southwest, we've never had a problem. Is Southwest very strict about weight? I need to know if I need cut down on my shoes...

As safetymom said, all of the airlines are cracking down on the per bag weight. I think it has to do with workers compensation. I fly SW a few weeks ago and you could check up to 3 bags of 50 pounds each but there was a $25 and up charge for any bag over 50 pounds.

 

[Lewisc]

There was an article in the NY Times travel section a few weeks ago. Airlines now look at the overweight charges as an additional revenuue stream.

SW still allows 3 bags. You might just pack an extra duffle bag in case your luggage is heavier than you think.

 

[melanie18]

Our bag was 53 lbs when we flew a few weeks ago on Southwest. The ticket agent was nice enough to allow us to cram as much stuff as possible in our smaller suitcase to get us below the 50 lb limit.

 

[poohbear7]

My bag was 54 pounds and the agent asked if I wanted to remove some items to another bag to make it 50 pounds which I did very nice of her.

 

[maryliz]

Did SWA lower the "allowable weight" recently? We went in Jan and I thought it was 70 lbs. I think my one suitcase empty weighed 18 lbs. I know that whatever it was, we were under it because we didn't pay anything extra.

 

[DVC-Don]

Southwest lowered the weight limit this past winter. Check their website for specifics.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

 

[goldcupmom]

SW lowered weight and Dimensions! My daughter is a fencer and her previous allowable case was now going to cost us $100 each way, based on length + width + height. Had to build her a new one.

 

[maryliz]

SW lowered weight and Dimensions! My daughter is a fencer and her previous allowable case was now going to cost us $100 each way, based on length + width + height. Had to build her a new one.

OUCH ... my big suitcase "just" fit the dimensions as long as I didn't stuff anything too bulky in the outside pockets Guess I'll be grateful that we almost always drive. Glad to read this though because I'm flying in the summer and I was just automatically gonna take the suitcase I used in January. Thanks for the info!

Oops ... editing this because I just remembered that we're not flying SWA in August ... we're flying AirTran and they still have the 70lb limit, but only 2 checked bags per person, which is fine with me! WooHoo, I can use my huge suitcase! I'll double-check the dimensions though.

Mary-Liz