Southwest to start charging for bags

[RedHead0186]

Here's some of the other changes on the way. We haven't flown SW as much lately as the benefits of the Jet Blue Credit card and the fact that SW has cut so many non stops out of MHT that we mainly fly JB out of Logan.

• Customers will now earn more points on Business Select® fares.
• Points earned on Wanna Get Away® and Wanna Get Away Plus® fares will decrease.
• Southwest plans to introduce a new Basic fare, offering the lowest prices with fewer benefits.

Flight Credit Policy Changes​

Flight credits issued for tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025, will now have expiration dates of one year or earlier, depending on the fare type.

More Upcoming Changes​

Southwest is also preparing to introduce:

• Assigned seating and extra legroom options.
• Expanded booking availability through Expedia as part of efforts to reach new customers.
• A partnership with Icelandair, which launched on February 13 alongside Southwest’s first-ever scheduled overnight redeye flights.

These changes may impact travel costs and planning decisions for Walt Disney World visitors who rely on Southwest for direct routes to Orlando International Airport.

There is no Wanna Get Away fare anymore. They're changing it to Basic (and severely limiting what you get for fares at that level).

 

[RedHead0186]

These bizarre scheduling changes and redeployments probably have more to do with any financial issues they have moreso than not charging for checked bags and other fees.

I believe some of it may have to do with the Boeing production issues (not getting as many planes/getting them when they were expecting to). A lot of airlines have had to shift routes to accommodate not getting the planes they expected. I'm sure that's not the only reason for SW to do this, but it's probably at least one of the factors.

 

[sam_gordon]

So many people feel entitled to whatever they can get and do not care about being courteous and respectful towards others or following guidelines. They will pack as much as they can in a backpack and a separate 21" rolling bag and shove them up top. People already do this and SWA does not say a word...now add more and more people doing this because they do not want to pay to check their bags. I think @deckdmd 's point was clear.

Then it's up to SW (any airline) to enforce their policies. My point is even if someone checks a bag, they should bring on a carry on. So this shouldn't add a large amount of carry on luggage.

 

[KMP12]

That's going to really change how I use SW. I am always booking flights then checking back to see if the fare went down and if I got a credit. Knowing the credits are only going to be valid for 6 months (mayyyybe a year, though I don't usually book fares at that level) really changes my strategy.

Us too. We typically only fly yearly so the credits would.be worthless.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

Then it's up to SW (any airline) to enforce their policies.

You are correct, but will they? Especially with all of the insanity at airports these days?

Most likely not, so the problem with overhead bin space for all passengers may become an issue.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

They’ve also been trying to crack down on carryons. Having to pay for checked bags is only going to make the carryon situation worse.

And I only ever take a personal item so its not me causing overhead space to be filled but now it will be lol.

 

[RedHead0186]

Then it's up to SW (any airline) to enforce their policies. My point is even if someone checks a bag, they should bring on a carry on. So this shouldn't add a large amount of carry on luggage.

I think it might add a lot more rollaboard carry ons. Yes, people who check a bag may also bring a carry on, but possibly just a backpack that fits under the seat (when I check a bag, that's usually what I do). But now, more people will likely bring rollaboard carry ons and backpacks since those are currently free. I guess we'll see how it shakes out, but I'd expect to see a lot more of the 'larger' carryons (rollaboards) when this goes into effect.

 

[Smugpugmug]

You are correct, but will they? Especially with all of the insanity at airports these days?

Most likely not, so the problem with overhead bin space for all passengers may become an issue.

At least for MCO I've never ever seen it actually enforced. I bring a carry on bag that's smaller than most roller bags and yet I have to compete with people that are packing as if they're going on an expedition to climb Mt. Everest.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

I don’t really care how the airlines charge me, I only care about the bottom line. I compare all the lines and get to the final number including bags, seat choice, extras and get to the final number. Doesn’t matter how I get there.

This thread also reminds me why I only take a carry on with me. Never have to battle anyone for the seat in front of me.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Be aware effective March 25 stricter baggage measurements are being enforced . SW has a picture diagram that includes the handle height and the roller wheels as part of the measurement !
Not sure if you will be stopped at security or at the boarding gate for the measurement inspection.

 

[sam_gordon]

You are correct, but will they? Especially with all of the insanity at airports these days?

Most likely not, so the problem with overhead bin space for all passengers may become an issue.

Other airlines do. Now, will the couple who check a suitcase and do a carry on emergency forgo the checked and each do carry on? Maybe.

 

[RedHead0186]

Be aware effective March 25 stricter baggage measurements are being enforced . SW has a picture diagram that includes the handle height and the roller wheels as part of the measurement !
Not sure if you will be stopped at security or at the boarding gate for the measurement inspection.

Security wouldn't stop you, they don't work for SW and wouldn't be enforcing SW (or any airline's) baggage size restrictions. You would be stopped at the gate for a measurement.

 

[Lewisc]

Then it's up to SW (any airline) to enforce their policies. My point is even if someone checks a bag, they should bring on a carry on. So this shouldn't add a large amount of carry on luggage.

My personal item has my meds, bathing suit and underwear.

A roller bin bag will now replace a checked bag. Maybe I'll check one bag for 2 of us instead of checking 2.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Definitely my fear!

We have CPs for 2025-26, so we're still going to look at SW first for family travel for a little while at least. But I think this will be the end of our relationship with SW...

I was going to use Southwest to get to Disney… might as well reconsider and use a different airline…

 

[sam_gordon]

My personal item has my meds, bathing suit and underwear.

A roller bin bag will now replace a checked bag. Maybe I'll check one bag for 2 of us instead of checking 2.

Will there be more carryons? I'm sure. Will it be a large amount? That I'm doubting. Or at least, it shouldn't be.

 

[Pinnochio]

Having to pay for checked bags is only going to make the carryon situation worse.

for sure....watch and see how long boarding takes now....I'll be switching to a carry-on, which i've never done....oh well!!

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

My point is even if someone checks a bag, they should bring on a carry on. So this shouldn't add a large amount of carry on luggage.

I think you're underestimating the impact.

I know, for my family of 5, on SW we only ever bring personal items that fit under the seat because it's easier to just get all of the bags at baggage claim rather than wrangling kids and carry on rollers. Once you have to go to baggage claim for 2 bags, might as well check the carry on size rollers and make it 4. Not if they're charging for the privilege, though...

 

[Lewisc]

Will there be more carryons? I'm sure. Will it be a large amount? That I'm doubting. Or at least, it shouldn't be.

Free bin bags and paid checked luggage. A huge increase in the number of bin bags.

 

[kylenne]

This thread also reminds me why I only take a carry on with me. Never have to battle anyone for the seat in front of me.

The worst battles during boarding are always over bin space for carry ons though. Airlines that charge for checked bags are the ones where everyone's fighting over bin space, because it's free. At MCO it's especially bad because those fees add up quick for families with kids, which is the core demographic flying in and out of there. People cram their entire lives into carry ons to avoid those fees, cram stuff into everything from pillows to airport shopping bags and all kinds of absurd things thanks to "hacks" on tik toks and youtube videos. They also bring enormous carry ons clearly over the size guidelines. The sneakier ones do this to try and force their bags to get gate checked for free.

The only way to avoid bin drama altogether on airlines with checked bag fees is either to have status or pay for expedited boarding (or game the preboarding system, which I understand is already a huge problem for SW for the open seating), or to only bring a personal item on board with you. For all their myriad issues nobody ever reports these issues with ULCCs because they charge for carry ons. Everyone crams their lives into personal items instead on those airlines, and everyone has equal under seat space, so no bin drama lol.

I don't fly SW because the seating policy stresses me out (I flew it once for work years ago because corporate travel booked us with no choice, and I swore never again), and they don't really fly out of my home airport anyway. But charging for checked bags is absolutely going to make the boarding process with them worse. I disagree that it won't see a large increase in carry ons. Most of the people who fly SW cite the free bags as the main reason, not just more convenient flights etc. All of the foolishness you see on the other airlines out of MCO will be a thing with them now too. Gate agents cracking down will be the only thing that prevents a clownshow imo.

 

[Kwami]

Will there be more carryons? I'm sure. Will it be a large amount? That I'm doubting. Or at least, it shouldn't be.

Do you remember having to worry about bin space when checked bags were free? I don't. When airlines started to charge for checked bags, more customers brought carry-ons and took up more bin space. That's why newer airplanes are designed with larger bins. It's why airlines are able to use priority boarding to get even more money from anxious customers.

It's a real problem.