Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy

Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy Information

Southwest airline's baggage policy is very simple as compared to any other airline.

• The first two bags are free from payment.
• For additional bags, at 75 USD each.

Southwest carry-on policy:

Here are Southwest's carry-on policies:

1. Airlines permitted 2 checked bags with a dimension of 50*62 inches.
   • One personal bag (which can come under the seat) with a dimension of 46.9cm x 21.5cm x 34.2cm. There is no maximum weight restriction.
   • One carry-on bag (weight restriction is there) with the bag dimensions 24in x 16in x 10in. This bag must be fitted on over the seat carrier bin.
2. Passengers can carry any musical instrument (Fare is applicable as per the rules and regulations) Passengers can carry any sports equipment with a weight of 50 pounds(fare is applicable as per rules and regulations)

Note: A passenger has a limit to checked baggage per flight of 20 items. It includes free checked baggage, but extra or overweight baggage charges may apply.

Southwest Checked on Policy

Here is Southwest Checked on policy 

As per Southwest Airlines' check-in baggage policy, one individual passenger can carry 2 bags free of charge without worrying about the class of seat.

• The Bag’s Dimension (62 linear inches/157 cm per bag). This is the maximum and this dimension includes the bag’s handle and wheels. The maximum weight can be up to 23 kg.
• For domestic flights, all bags can be checked at the Southwest airport ticket counter.
• A-list members can accelerate their baggage check process by using a fly-by priority check-in line, but this service is only available at selected airports.

Southwest airline’s Late check-in baggage policy  

For every airline, there is a specific time when the passenger or traveler has to report to the airport within 45 minutes before the departure of the flight. If the passenger is unable to report within the specific time, then there is a southwest airlines late check-in policy for those. In this policy, the baggage of the passenger will not accompany him to the destination.

Note:

• Any bag which is beyond the limitation (concerning weight and size) will be liable to pay extra for that.
• Items that are not considered carry-on or personal items.
• The mobile device of the disabled person.
• Outer garments
• Wearable garments
• Food for in-flight consumption, but must be disposable.
• Umbrella and walking support for handicapped persons.

Self-tagging of the luggage

This is the process that speeds up the process by allowing the traveler to tag and print their bag. Southwest’s self-tag kiosks are available inside the selected airports at the ticket counter and give the privilege to do

• Self-check-in
• Boarding pass printing
• Updating in the business select
• Updation in the ticket reservation
• Self-printing and tagging of the personal luggage

Steps to follow while doing Self tagging

1. Go to the ticket counter,
2. find the self-tagging Kiosk Get your reservation
3. Steps must be followed, which are displayed on the screen. 
   • A select number of bags that a passenger will check.
   • Luggage must be tagged
   • Peel the white paper, which is exactly at the back of the sticker.
   • Place the sticker in between the bag’s handle and join both edges of the sticker.
4. Drop out the self-tagging baggage at the bag drop location.
5. The self-tagging can be done for:
   • Minor who is not associated with any adult’s company.
   • For international flights
   • For Group bookings

Charges for excess baggage:- Oversized and overweight baggage charges are applied by Southwest Airlines.

• As per Southwest Airlines, anything beyond 2 bags is considered excess baggage.
• The weight and the dimension of the bags must not be over 62in/157.4cm and 50lb/23kg.

Excess Baggage charges:- From the third bag onward, per bag 75 USD is applicable. But the weight and dimension of the bag must be under 62in/157.4cm and 50lb/23kg.

Overweight Baggage Charges:- If any bag weighing between 50–100lb (24–46kg) then Southwest Airlines must charge 75 USD per bag. Additionally, if the bag’s weight is 100lb/46kg, then that particular bag is shipped as cargo.

Oversized Baggage Charges: - The oversized bag cost 75 USD. But the bag size must be between 62 – 80in (157.4 to 203.2cm), if the size goes beyond the restrictions, then that particular bag is not going to be accepted.

Way to pay the baggage fees for the Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines does not allow you to pay online for any baggage fees. This means that if any traveler wants to pay for the bags, they must pay at the ticket counter.

If the bag is Lost/Delayed: If any checked baggage is lost or delayed then the traveler has to:

1. Go to the Southwest Airlines Baggage Service Office, which is near about ticket counter.
2. Within 4 hours of arrival, you have to file the complaint.
3. When the complaint is made:
   • The agent of baggage service will hand over the complaint receipt to the traveler who filed the complaint.
   • Continuous notification regarding the status of the complaint will be received.
   • Travelers can get the latest update for their complaints by directly calling the customer service agent.

If the bag is damaged on airlines:  at the point of arrival if the traveler finds out that his bag is damaged then:

• Report to the agent sitting in the Southwest Airlines Baggage Service Office and make sure that the complaint is filed within 4 hours of arrival.
• Showcase the damage to the agent so that he can find out how much damage is there. (The damage is not included any minor scratches, dents, or cuts)

The amount offered by Southwest Airlines lost/ damaged bags:-

• On domestic iternary 3500 USD per traveler.
• Special Drawing Rights for checked and unchecked baggage per traveler are applicable.