Guide to Southwest Airlines Carry-On & Baggage Rules

Despite being a low-cost air carrier, Southwest Airlines offers a dedicated carry-on baggage policy to ease passengers. The policy states baggage allowances and tips to prepare your baggage for smooth travel. According to Southwest carry on policy, passengers can bring one personal item and one carry-on on the flight for free.

However, the rules and regulations might vary as per the fare type and route. So, have you booked your tickets with Southwest and are wondering what to pack or what not? Continue scrolling the page and find out everything about the airline’s baggage policy in detail. Read on to learn more.

Southwest Airlines Carry-On Baggage Rules

Here’s a quick rundown of the Southwest Airlines carry on policy. Check out the size and dimensions below and pack your stuff accordingly. Make sure your items don’t exceed the dimensions to avoid any further issues at the airport.

Size & Dimensions

• Southwest Airlines permits a carry on of dimensions 24” (L) X 16” (W) X 10” (H).
• These dimensions include wheels, handles, and attachments to your carry-on.
• Some of the carry-on examples are a roller bag, a small suitcase, a duffel bag, or anything that fits the allowed dimensions.
• Make sure your carry-on luggage fits in the overhead bin.

Weight Limits

• While there’s a specific carry on size on Southwest, there’s no specific weight limit for carry-on bags.
• It means that you can bring one carry-on bag of any weight; however, make sure it fits in the overhead bin and won’t exceed the allowed dimensions.

Personal Item Rules

Now that you know about the Southwest Airlines carry on rules, it’s time to learn about the personal item, so you can make the most of the airline’s allowance.

• Passengers can bring one personal item on the flight.
• There’s no specific dimension of the personal item, but make sure that your personal item fits under the seat in front of you.
• The personal item can be anything, like a backpack, pillow, purse, blanket, small camera, or any other similar thing.

What Counts as a Carry-On (including quirky items)

According to the Southwest Airlines carry on bag policy, the following items can be counted as carry-on. Scroll down the page and find the list below.

• A suitcase
• Duffel bag
• Backpack
• Roller bags
• Large handbags
• Travel tote bags
• Coffee/ Espresso maker
• Desktop computer

Liquids and Prohibited Items

Here’s a quick rundown of the liquids and prohibited items on board, as per the Southwest Airlines carry on baggage policy.

• All liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in containers of 100ml or less, and placed in a single, transparent 1-liter plastic bag.

Prohibited items include the following.

• Aerosol Insecticide
• Air Mattress with a built-in pump
• Airbrush make-up machine
• Alcoholic beverages
• Ammunition
• Axes and Hatchets
• Bang Snaps
• Baseball Bats
• Battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility devices
• BB Guns

Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage Rules

Now that you know about the carry on size of Southwest, it’s time to understand the airline’s checked baggage rules. Learn about the checked baggage size and weight guidelines and pack your bags accordingly.

Standard Checked Bag Size & Weight

• The standard size limit of the checked baggage is 62 inches (L + B + H).
• These dimensions include wheels and handles.
• When packing your checked baggage, make sure it won’t exceed 50 pounds.

Overweight & Oversized Fees

• Anything above 62 inches in size and 50 pounds in weight is considered oversized and overweight baggage.
• Passengers must pay additional charges to bring oversized and overweight baggage.
• Baggage weighing more than 100 pounds must be shipped as Air Cargo.

Here’s the quick information about the oversized and overweight checked baggage fees.

Sports Equipment & Special Items

Still wondering what is allowed in carry-on baggage on Southwest Airlines, especially in terms of sports equipment? Scroll down and find the information below.

• The airline allows one piece of sports equipment to count as one of your two free checked bags.
• Make sure the sports equipment adheres to the standard weight and size limits of 50 pounds and 62 linear inches.
• If your sports equipment exceeds these dimensions, you will be charged a fee.
• Southwest Airlines considers the following as special items, including
• Musical Instruments
• Firearms
• Golf bags
• Skis
• bikes

Bringing Pets Onboard

• The airline accepts small, vaccinated domestic dogs and cats in an appropriate pet carrier in the cabin.
• Make sure the pet carrier fits the dimensions. Southwest Airlines pet carrier measures no more than 17” X 10” X 9.5” and other carriers with maximum dimensions of 18.5” X 13.5” X 9.5”.
• Pet carriers are considered either a personal item or a carry-on, depending on the size.

Baggage Fees and How to Avoid Them

Now that you know about the Southwest Airline carry-on bag policy, let’s check out the baggage fees and some insider tips to avoid them. Let’s have a closer look.

Carry-On vs. Checked Fees

Bundles & Special Promotions

Southwest Airlines offers new fare bundles, including Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra.

• Basic Fare: It is the cost-effective option with a standard assignment at the time of check-in.
• Choice Fare and Choice Preferred Fare: While the carry-on baggage is free in Choice Fare and Choice Preferred Fare, checked bags are chargeable.
• Choice Extra Fare: The fare includes one free carry-on and two free checked bags.

Insider Tips to Save Money

Wondering how to save on Southwest Airlines carry on and checked baggage charging, then read on the following policy guidelines and save dollars.

• The airline allows passengers to bring one personal item and one carry-on item, so make sure you pack your items in the carry-on baggage only.
• Southwest allows Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members to bring luggage for free. So, you can invest in the membership and bring free checked bags and enjoy other perks.
• Passengers can also fly with Choice Extra Fare to bring two free checked bags.
• Besides, you can show an active military ID to bring two free checked bags on board.

Southwest Airlines Baggage Tracking & Tips

How to Track Your Bags

Here’s how to track your bags on Southwest Airlines.

• Go to the Bag Support page of Southwest Airlines.
• Scroll down and click “Track your bag”.
• Enter your First Name and Last Name.
• You can search by Confirmation or Bag Tag.
• Click “Track Bag” to check your real-time bag status.

Tips for Smooth Check-In

• Check in online to avoid long queues at the airport.
• Arrive early at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international ones to allow time for security and unexpected delays.
• Follow the deadlines to avoid any hassle later on.

Common Mistakes Travelers Make

Here’s some of the common mistakes travelers often make when packing their bags.

• Most times passengers don’t read baggage guidelines properly, thus ending up packing more.
• Another mistakes passengers often make is packing restricted items in their carry-on or checked baggage.
• Carrying oversized water bottles and bulky organizers instead of collapsible bottles and small bags.

Conclusion

That’s all about the Southwest carry-on policy. We hope our guide has helped you understand the rules and regulations of the cabin and checked luggage. Make sure your items won’t exceed the allowed dimensions and weight to avoid any hassle at the airport. Also, be mindful that the checked baggage may incur extra charges, so you should check the baggage fee beforehand and pack your stuff accordingly. Still having doubts about Southwest carry-on? Contact our experts at Fareasky and fix your issues in no time.