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Southwest Airlines Baggage Information

Checked and Carryon Baggage

Checked Baggage

Video: Tips for Packing Smart

  • Screening and Identification: Checked baggage will be screened and is subject to physical inspection as mandated by the TSA. Customers may be required to present identification. Regulations require name identification on the outside. We recommend placing identification on the inside of baggage, too. Name labels are available at Southwest Airlines ticket counters. Once you've checked your luggage, make sure you receive a separate claim check for each piece of baggage you've checked. Check to make sure that the city shown on the claim check(s) matches your final destination.
  • Please see the TSA's web site for a list of prohibited items.
  • Baggage Allowance: Beginning January 29, 2008, Southwest will allow two (2) checked pieces of baggage per ticketed Customer. Size and weight limitations apply.
  • Excess Baggage: Effective January 29, 2008, you may check a third bag for a charge of $25. Your 4th through 9th bag or item will incur a charge of $50 per piece, and any bag or item thereafter will be $110 per piece.
  • Weight and Size Allowance: Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage. Effective March 1, 2005, overweight items from 51 to 70 pounds will be accepted for a charge of $25.00 per item. Items weighing from 71 to 100 pounds and oversized items in excess of 62 inches but not more than 80 inches (i.e., surfboards, bicycles, vaulting poles) will be accepted for a charge of $50.00 per item. Any item weighing more than 100 pounds must be shipped as Air Cargo. However, Customers cannot use SWA Cargo unless classified as a Known Shipper as defined by the TSA or TSA approved Indirect Air Carriers (IAC). For full details about shipping cargo, visit swacargo.com.
  • Liability: Unless excess value is declared and charges paid at the time of checkin, Southwest Airlines' liability for lost, damaged or delayed baggage is limited to $3,000.00 per fare-paying Customer.
  • Claims: Damaged or lost baggage must be reported, in person, within four hours of Customer's arrival at destination.
  • Conditional Acceptance: Improperly packed and/or fragile items will be conditionally accepted and Southwest will not be responsible for any damage to items that are tagged with Conditional Acceptance.
  • Late Check-In: When checking luggage, allow sufficient time for it to be placed on your flight. Luggage checked less than 30 minutes before scheduled departure at curbside or at the ticket counter will be tagged with a Late Check-In Tag. The following airports now require a 45-minute baggage checkin or the baggage will be considered Late Checked:
    • Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
    • Chicago Midway (MDW)
    • Denver (DEN)
    • Las Vegas (LAS)
    • Los Angeles (LAX)
    • Phoenix (PHX)
    • Orlando (MCO)
    • Washington Dulles (IAD)

    Although every effort will be made to get late checked baggage on your flight, in the event your baggage does not arrive with you at your destination, Southwest will not assume delivery charges to get your baggage to you.

Carryon Baggage

Per TSA regulations, carryon items are limited to one bag plus one smaller, personal-type item.

  • Personal-type items include purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops (case included).
  • Southwest Airlines limits carryon bag dimensions to 10x16x24 inches.
  • All Customers and Employees and their items are subject to a thorough, physical search.
  • The following items are not considered carryon bags or personal-type items and are not counted against the “one-bag plus one personal-type item” limit:
    • A child restraint device for a child who has been ticketed, who has a seat reserved, or for which complimentary, available space exists.
    • Assistive/mobility devices for individuals with a disability. There is no limit to the number of assistive/mobility devices a Customer can bring onboard the aircraft.
    • Outer garments or other wearable articles of clothing.
    • Food for consumption during flight contained in disposable packaging.
    • Walking canes or umbrellas.
  • Please see the TSA's web site for a list of allowable carryon items.

Can I carryon or check these items?

For more information regarding Southwest Airlines Baggage policies, please see the Contract of Carriage.