Southwest's Bag Fees in 2026: What Changed, Who's Still Exempt
For decades, 'bags fly free' was Southwest's whole identity. That's no longer true for most passengers. Here's where things actually stand.
The base fares now charge like everyone else.Southwest's Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares pay $45 for a first checked bag and $55 for a second, the same rate American, Delta, and United charge. That's not even the original post-change rate: Southwest raised it again in April 2026, up from $35/$45.
Two ways to still fly free: a fare tier or status. Book the Choice Extra fare, or hold A-List Preferred frequent-flyer status, and you still get two checked bags free. Everyone else pays.
Carry-on is the one thing that didn't change. Every fare, including the cheapest Basic, still includes a free carry-on bag. That part of the old reputation holds up - but it's now the only part. Basic otherwise behaves like basic economy elsewhere: no free checked bag, last boarding group, no seat selection, and no same-day change or standby without A-List status.
Sourced from Southwest's own published fee page, verified 2026-07-19.
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