2 days ago
Southwest Airlines Breaks Silence on Major Problem After Ending Free Bags
Just before the start of summer, Southwest Airlines instituted its new bag policy, which was previously announced in March.
"For reservations booked and ticketed or changed on or after May 28, 2025, checked baggage fees will apply. We will offer two free checked bags to our Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select Customers, and one free checked bag to A-List Members and other select Customers. Southwest will credit the first checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers," the airline said in a statement at the time.
Major Problem Emerges for Southwest After Ending Free Bags
Immediately after ending free bags, Southwest ran into a problem of its own making. With travelers being forced to shell out at least $35 per checked bag, they instead began bringing a carry-on.
"We're seeing Southwest Airlines gate agents require checking bags early, when there's still plenty of overhead bin space left. They've given up the advantage of not having to gate check bags, right at the same time they're facing a lot of pressure to reduce the amount of time it takes to board so that planes spend less time on the ground and more time in the air generating revenue," travel insider View From the Wing wrote.
"One of the unintended consequences of customer-unfriendly changes at Southwest is that now there's a good chance you won't be able to bring your carry-on bag onboard. And there's a good chance you'll have your carry-on confiscated even when there's still space for it."
Southwest Breaks Silence on Gate-Checking Bags
Earlier this month during its recent earnings call, Chief Operating Officer Andrew M. Watterson revealed Southwest used a "machine learning tool" that actually "predicts the number of gate-check bags needed for each flight."
Watterson confirmed Southwest is actively gate-checking bags before it needs to in order to keep travelers flowing onto the aircraft instead of getting to the back of the plane and learning there's no more Airlines Breaks Silence on Major Problem After Ending Free Bags first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 10, 2025
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