Southwest Airlines Baggage Policy

According to Southwest baggage policy, you may bring the following:

• One Free Personal Item that must fit under your front seat.
• Complimentary carry-on bag as per weight and size restrictions of the airlines.
• Sporting goods depend on the regulations and charges that apply.
• Musical apparatuses depend on the regulations and charges that apply.

 Across all flights, your initial two bags are Complimentary, and each subsequent baggage costs just USD 75.

All Southwest customers receive 2 free carry-on bags (1 personal item and 1 carry-on) and 2 free checked bags, plus, under certain circumstances, transportation and You can bring assistive devices, musical instruments and sports equipment.

Southwest Airlines Carry-on Baggage Allowance

One Personal Item to Check-in:

• Maximum size: 46.9 cm x 21.5 cm x 34.2 cm (including handle, pockets, and wheels).
• Maximum weight with no limitations
• To be able to fit beneath your front seat.
• Example: Handbag, suitcase, camera, food box, and laptop.

One Carry-on Bag:

• Maximum size: 60.9 cm x 40.6 cm x 25.4 cm (including handle, pockets, and wheels).
• Maximum weight with no limitations
• To be able to fit in the luggage compartment

Note:  The baggage claim facility will have it available for pickup following the trip. But you can check in strollers and assistive equipment at the jetway or gate.

Checked Baggage Allowance

• Quantity of bags = 2
• Maximum measurements (incl. handles and wheels) 157 cm in length, width, and height.
• Maximum weight per bag 50lb/23kg

Approximately three hours prior to takeoff, passengers can check in their checked bags at the airport terminal ticket desk, curbside for domestic routes exclusively, or at a self-tagging kiosk. Nevertheless, using the Fly By Priority check-in lanes at specific airport terminals allows Business Select customers and Rapid Rewards A-List members to check in their luggage more quickly.

Southwest Airlines Late Check-In Baggage

It would help if you weighed your luggage in by the deadlines listed. If you check in your baggage within 45 minutes of departure, it will be considered a ‘late check-in’ and your baggage may not be delivered to your destination.

Note:

• Any size or weight that is greater than the maximum may result in additional fees.
• One child restraint system for a child who has a ticket or when it’s free, provided there is room.
• Mobility aids and assistive technology for flights with impairments.
• Outerwear or other wearable apparel.
• Food for eating during flight, but in single-use containers.
• Canes used for walking and umbrellas.

Southwest Airlines Sports Equipment Policy

The following items may be carried in lieu of one item in your baggage allowance, subject to Southwest Airlines’ Sporting Goods Baggage Policy, at no additional charge. However, if the sporting equipment weighs more than 50 lbs / 23 kg and has total external dimensions more than 62 inches / 157.4 cm, additional baggage charges (both size and weight) may apply.

Non-motorized Single-seater bicycles

• • Well packed in a bike box with solid sides.
  • Must fit within the stipulated weight and standard dimension restrictions for checked baggage.
  • Pedals and handlebars must be disassembled and wrapped in packing material.
  • Bicycles that are larger than allowed as checked luggage will incur extra fees.

 Golf bag

• • • It must be transported in a sturdy carrying case.
    • Includes shoes, balls, and clubs.
    • A hooded golf bag or a golf bag with a soft carrying case will be shipped as a limited edition.

 Baseball and Softball gear

• • Four bats, one pair of cleats, one helmet, one jersey, one glove, and one set of gloves are all contained in 1 bag.

 Kneeboard or the boogie Archery supplies

• • Consists of one bow, one set of arrows, and one medium-sized target.
  • You need a suitable container that can withstand normal handling without endangering your bow and arrow.

 Shoes and a bowling bag with balls A fishing rod and a tackle box

• • The rod should be placed in a container specifically for cylindrical fishing rods.
  • The container for the fishing rod can be at most 91 inches or have a diameter larger than 3 inches.

 Lacrosse or hockey sticks

• • Multiple sticks should be taped securely or placed in a suitable bag or container.
  • Includes skates, gloves, pads, pants, jerseys, and helmets.
  • Although if packed or taped individually, two bags—one containing a backpack for your hockey or lax equipment and the other for your sticks—will count as one item if you’re replacing a free checked bag.

 Knives, swords, and dress sabers

• • Only checked baggage is allowed.

 Parachutes

• • You can put it in your carry-on or checked baggage.
  • Not allowed on board.

Scuba diving gear

• • Tanks of air must be empty.
  • BCs, regulators, tank belts, weight belts, tank pressure gauges, two fins, masks, snorkels, safety vests, knives, etc. 

Tennis rackets should be brought on board because they often come in soft-sided cases

• • Limited release items will be shipped in a softbox.

Waterskiing gear

• • Must be in a bag accepted by Southwest Airlines. 
  • Charges for extra size won’t be levied, although they might be for excess weight.

Skateboard

• • Used in place of checked baggage or carry-on baggage.If it fits under the chair in front of you, it should be put in a bag or covered. 

Snow Ski Gear

• • Includes at least one pair of skis or snowboards, one snowboard, a set of poles, and a couple of ski or snowboard boots in a bag that Southwest Airlines will accept.
  • All Snow ski gear will not be subject to excess size fees. However, there may be a weight fee.

Surfboard

• • When travelling inside the state of Hawaii, it can take the place of 1 checked luggage.
  • Fins and keels must be removed and packed in carry-on or checked baggage.
  • There are no length or width restrictions. However, if the weight exceeds 50 lbs, an excess charge of $75 will apply.
  • Objects are transportable with limited liability.

Special Sports Equipment

Per Southwest baggage policy, essential sports equipment is only permitted as checked baggage for an additional charge of $75.

• Non-motorized bicycles with total measurements (L + W + H) greater than 62 inches and put in a hard-sided container or bicycle box.
• Surfboard
  • For surfboards exceeding the permitted weight for flights outside Hawaii or flights within Hawaii.
  • Fins and keels in carry-on or checked baggage must be removed and packed.
  • The object is transportable with a limited release of liability.
• Board for windsurfing
  • Keel removal and storage in a checked bag are requirements.
  • No matter how many spears are in the bag, they must all be packed in one container.
• Kayak
• Keels and fins for a kiteboard.

How to Pay Baggage Fee on Southwest Airlines

You are unable to prepay your luggage cost online with Southwest Airlines. It follows that you must pay for your bags at the ticket desk at your nearest airport.

Southwest Airlines Musical Instruments Policy

Booking Southwest Airlines allows passengers to bring musical instruments onboard as carry-on or ticketed luggage.

Musical instruments for carry-on-

Southwest Airlines allows musical instruments and cases as carry-on baggage. If your musical instrument exceeds the carry-on baggage allowance of 10″ x 16″ x 24″, you may bring it onboard as long as it fits in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.

You can bring your musical instrument inside the cabin by buying a seat for it if it cannot fit in the overhead compartment or beneath a seat. Nevertheless, you must meet the following requirements:

• If the instrument fits comfortably in the chair without obstructing the aircraft sign, use seat belts to secure it properly.
• Since there are no passengers in that row closer to the window than the instrument, it will be placed in the first row.
• When you book a seat and buy a ticket (for no more than the cost of a child’s fare).

Instruments checked-

You can check one piece of complimentary checked luggage with Southwest, which includes your musical instrument.

• The total linear dimensions, including the case or covering, are greater than 150 inches (381cm)
• The combined weight, including the case or covering, exceeds 165 lbs (74.8kg).

Oversized/Large Musical Instruments and Equipment

According to Southwest baggage policy, customers are responsible for paying oversize or overweight fees if:

• Your musical instrument’s linear measurements, including the case or covering, range from 62 to 150 inches (157.4–381cm).

What should I do if my package is lost or delayed?

• Inform the Southwest Airlines Baggage Service Office in person.

Upon the filing of a missing or delayed baggage report:

• A baggage service representative will compile an account and provide you with a receipt.
• You’ll get regular updates on the whereabouts of your luggage.
• To check on the status, you can also call Southwest Airlines.

Notice: You have four hours from your arrival to submit your complaint.

How to Check Your Missing Baggage Report on Southwest Airlines

To find out if your missing or damaged bag has been located:

• Contact their Delayed or Damaged Baggage Assistance immediately.
• Download a document to pursue your claim from the Southwest Airlines Baggage Claim Online Portal if the local Baggage Service Office is unable to find your bag within five days.

What should I do if my luggage is damaged on Southwest Airlines?

• Within four hours of arriving, inform the Southwest Airlines Baggage Service Office in person.
• Present your compromised luggage to a luggage service representative so they can evaluate the condition and accountability.

Special cases:

Southwest does not cover carry-on baggage brought into the passenger cabin or items placed in overstuffed bags, as well as small flaws like scratches, minor dents and scratches, dust marks, etc.

Southwest Airlines Liability for Lost and Damaged Bags

According to Southwest Airlines baggage policy, only the following parties are liable for missing, compromised, and postponed bags:

On domestic itineraries, the cost per booked person is USD 3,500.

Read Also: Southwest Airlines Reservations | Southwest Airlines Cancellations Policy | Southwest Airlines Change Flight Policy | Southwest Airlines Manage Booking

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