Southwest’s new seating and bag fees: smart travel guide

Southwest bag fees have changed the way many travelers think about packing and booking. Effective May 28, 2025, Southwest began charging most customers for checked bags on tickets booked or changed on or after that date, marking a major shift from the airline’s longstanding free-bag policy.

These moves are part of a broader reimagining of Southwest’s product and revenue model, which also includes assigned seating, new fare bundles, and updated Rapid Rewards earning rules. This smart travel guide walks through what changed, who keeps free bags, how seating will work, and practical tips to reduce or avoid fees.

What changed and important dates to remember

Checked-bag fees apply to tickets booked or changed on or after May 28, 2025, so bookings before that date retained the older free-bag terms if honored by the ticketing rules. Carry-on policy remained unchanged: every passenger continues to be allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item at no charge, within size limits.

Assigned seating will be introduced in phases. Southwest began selling seat selection on July 29, 2025 for flights operating January 27, 2026 and beyond, and assigned seating replaces open seating for flights on or after January 27, 2026. The company also announced the new boarding structure that replaces A/B/C numbered positions with Groups 1 and 8 and introduces seat categories.

Southwest framed the changes as a way to offer choice and capture new customers. As Tony Roach, EVP Customer & Brand, said, ‘With new choices like seat selection and Extra Legroom, our enhanced fare bundles let Customers customize their trip…’ The airline’s CEO also noted financial motives tied to profitability and growth of customer segments.

Checked bag fees and surcharges: exact prices

Southwest now charges $35 one-way for the first checked bag and $45 one-way for the second checked bag for most customers. These straightforward per-segment fees make it easy to estimate costs for round trips or multi-segment itineraries.

Third-and-beyond checked bags carry a $150 fee per piece, so consolidating luggage can produce significant savings. Overweight and oversized surcharges are steep: overweight bags 51, 70 lbs add $100, 71, 100 lbs add $200, and oversized dimensions (e.g., 63″ to 80″) add $200 plus the applicable standard bag fee.

Aside from checked-bag costs, Southwest also publishes a range of other ancillary fees to watch , EarlyBird Check-In, Upgraded Boarding, pet carrier fees, and paid seat upgrades , which can add to the total cost of travel depending on the choices you make.

Who keeps free bags and how to qualify

Some customers retain complimentary checked bags under the new rules. Choice Extra fare (formerly Business Select) and A-List Preferred members continue to receive two free checked bags. A-List members receive one free checked bag. Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers can receive a credit for the first checked bag if they add their cardmember number at booking.

Active-duty military travelers also remain exempt from the checked-bag charges per Southwest’s published exceptions. If you rely on free checked bags, verify your fare class, elite status, or card benefits when booking to avoid surprises at check-in.

When in doubt, check the airline’s ‘Optional Travel Charges’ and fare rules on southwest.com or your booking confirmation to confirm which exceptions apply to your itinerary and whether your specific booking retains older free-bag terms.

Assigned seating, seat categories, and pricing for upgrades

Southwest replaced its long-standing open-seating model with assigned seating effective for flights on/after January 27, 2026, with seat selection available for sale starting July 29, 2025. The new cabin choices are Standard, Preferred, and Extra-Legroom seats, giving travelers more control over where they sit.

The airline also listed a wide range for paid seat upgrades: prices will range from $4 to $250 per segment for flights departing on or after January 27, 2026. That range reflects variability by route, demand, and seat type; low-cost upgrades may be available on some flights while premium seats will be priced higher.

The boarding structure is changing too: Southwest is removing the old A/B/C numbered positions, introducing Groups 1 and 8, and removing gate stanchions. These operational adjustments are intended to align boarding with assigned seating and simplified gate flows.

Fare bundles, Rapid Rewards changes, and company rationale

On May 28, 2025, Southwest launched a new Basic fare (replacing Wanna Get Away). Additional fare bundles , Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra , were rebranded and set to be available for booking in Q3 2025 as assigned and premium seating options were added. These bundles let travelers trade price for included amenities like checked bags or seat choices.

Southwest also moved to price-based Rapid Rewards accrual, tying points earned to ticket price rather than distance flown. The reimagined loyalty program adds seat and boarding benefits for A-List and A-List Preferred members in recognition of the new seating choices and revenue model.

Company leadership has been explicit about the goals: management argued the initiatives help meet customer needs, attract new customer segments, and return the airline to targeted profitability. Early investor materials estimated bag fees could generate roughly $1.0, $1.5 billion, and later company reports indicated the bag fees launched with financial benefits exceeding expectations in Q2 2025.

Operational and airport changes you will notice

To support the new mix of carry-on and checked bags and assigned seating, Southwest is installing larger over bins to accommodate more or bigger carry-ons and issuing mobile bag-tag printers to agents to speed check-in and bag processing. These physical changes aim to reduce bottlenecks and improve gate flow.

The removal of gate stanchions and the new boarding group structure will change the gate experience. Travelers who previously relied on lining up early in a numbered boarding order will now see gate areas reorganized around assigned seating and group boarding expectations.

Expect signage updates, staff training, and transitional hiccups as the airline and airports implement these changes. If you rely on quick gate boarding or specific cabin layouts, plan extra time and check airport instructions for your flight during the rollout period.

Smart packing and booking tips to minimize fees

If you want to avoid or reduce Southwest bag fees, consider these practical steps: travel with only one carry-on and one personal item (both still free), consolidate items to avoid a third bag surcharge, and avoid overweight or oversized pieces to skip steep surcharges. For many travelers, smart packing beats paying third-bag and overweight penalties.

Use fare and status levers: book Choice Extra or a fare that includes checked bags, keep or achieve A-List/A-List Preferred status if possible, or add your Rapid Rewards credit card number at booking to receive the cardmember first-bag credit. For flights booked before May 28, 2025 and honored under old rules, review your ticketing details , some legacy bookings retained free-bag benefits.

Shop seat prices for paid upgrades when convenient; with upgrades ranging from $4 to $250 per segment, low-cost opportunities may appear that are cheaper than buying an extra checked bag. Always compare the total out-of-pocket cost of a higher fare with included bags versus paying à la carte fees.

Ancillary fees to watch and where to confirm final rules

Beyond checked bags and seat upgrades, Southwest’s optional charges include items like EarlyBird Check-In (priced roughly from $15 to $99 depending on the booking window and flight), Upgraded Boarding (historically $30 to $149 through Jan 26, 2026 in transitional offers), and pet carrier fees (about $125 one-way for mainland travel). These optional items can add up quickly when combined.

Because rules, effective dates, and fee amounts can vary by route, fare class, or change over time, always confirm the latest charges before booking. Southwest’s ‘Optional Travel Charges’ and the assigned-seating pages list the current fee tables, exceptions, and effective dates.

In short, verify your fare bundle, add any loyalty or card numbers at booking, and check southwest.com/Help or official press releases for the most up-to-date guidance that applies to your itinerary.

Southwest’s shift to bag fees and assigned seating closes a distinct chapter in the airline’s history and opens new opportunities to choose , and pay for , the exact travel experience you want. For budget-conscious travelers, the key is to plan a, pack smart, and use status or card benefits where available to avoid unnecessary charges.

For frequent flyers and those who value specific seats or extra legroom, the new fare bundles and paid seat options allow customization at varying price points. Whatever your priorities, check the airline’s official pages for the latest rules, compare total trip costs across fare types, and factor ancillary fees into your travel budgeting to make the smartest choices for your next Southwest trip.