Southwest Airlines serves 11 Florida airports. When 2 free checked bags deal ends (it's soon)
If a trip sounds pretty good right about now, there's something you should know: Southwest Airlines will stop offering free checked bags.
If getting that perk affects your decision to fly Southwest, you'll need to book your flight soon.
The new bag policy — the first time the airline has charged for checked bags in its 54 year history — is just one of many the company announced earlier this year, including bringing assigned seating and a new priority boarding procedure.
➤ What to know about Southwest Airlines' new fare bundles, from Choice Extra to Basic
Here's what you should know.
Southwest Airlines has not posted on its website how much checked bags will cost, saying, "Our checked bag fees will align with industry standards, and we will share more details as we approach May 28, 2025."
Current checked bag policies at Southwest Airlines are:
Size: 62 inches, measuring length, width and height
Weight: up to 50 pounds each
Prices:
Three+ bags: $150 per bag
Oversize bag: $200 per bag with maximum of 80 inches
Overweight bag:
$150 per bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds or;
$200 per bag weighing 71 to 100 pounds
American for travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands:
1st checked bag: $40, $35 if paid online
2nd checked bag: $45
Delta for domestic flights within the U.S.:
1st checked bag: $35
2nd checked bag: $45
United for domestic flights:
1st checked bag: $40, $35 if paid online at least 24 hours before flight
2nd checked bag: $50; $45 if paid online at least 24 hours before flight
➤ What is the cutoff time for checked baggage? Critical deadlines for major airlines
Southwest will begin charging for checked bags for reservations booked on or after May 28, 2025.
The fees will apply to all tickets booked starting May 28 and applies to Anytime, Wanna Get Away plus and Basic customers.
No charges will be applied for any reservations booked on or before May 27, "regardless of your travel date."
Weight and size limits still apply.
Here's how to continue to get free checked bags (or a bag) if you book a reservation after the May 27 deadline:
Business Select fares will continue to receive two free checked bags.
Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members will receive their first and second checked bags for free.
A-List Members and Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will receive their first checked bag for free.
Hawaii residents traveling between the islands will continue to receive two free checked bags.
Note that checked bag benefits will not apply on flights booked with a partner carrier.
As of May 21, 2025, Southwest said serves 117 airports across 11 countries.
Southwest also serves 11 Florida airports:
Destin/Fort Walton Beach, VPS
Fort Lauderdale, FLL
Fort Myers, RSW
Jacksonville, JAX
Miami, MIA
Orlando, MCO
Panama City Beach, PNS
Pensacola, PNS
Sarasota/Bradenton, SRQ
Tampa, TPA
West Palm Beach, PBI
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Southwest Airlines free checked bags deal in Florida ends soon
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