Southwest Airlines will start charging for checked bags on tickets purchased on or after 5/28/25

[jwalk03]

The first change that was announced, well before the bag fee, was assigned seating. The date I remember given for this change was on flights booked after May. So maybe it will only apply to those flights booked after that date. I would hope there would also be a date when flights would start with assigned seats.

Assigned Seating has always been listed as starting in early 2026. So the tickets that will offer assigned seating will go on sale in late 2025.

 

[GT75]

The curative properties of air travel on a Southwest flight are a well-documented and real phenomenon. Something about flying Southwest just causes people to no longer need a wheelchair after a few hours on the plane. Southwest really should be marketing themselves as a cure for disabilities.

I broke my leg while skiing last week. Yesterday, we flew home via SW. I like SW's current policy to handle my situation (it was nice to board first and get that first bulkhead seat). I was certainly hoping for a cure on the flight, but unfortunately, that didn't occur. I was non-load bearing on one leg before the flight and non-load bearing after the flight.

I assume that the policy on other airlines (and SW after open seating is gone) is that you will get the seat that you are assigned for a situation such as mine.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

was certainly hoping for a cure on the flight, but unfortunately, that didn't occur.

Bizarre! My experience watching the load and unload process is that flying on Southwest is almost 95 percent effective at curing mobility problems. I am sorry that it didn't work for you.

 

[Luanne]

Yes, assigned seating was the first change announced, but they didn't really specify a date at the time. You seem to be mixing up the different announcements and dates. The May date came with the recent announcement about baggage fees. . With assigned seating they are also adding premium economy seating which requires a reconfiguration of seats in the cabin. This is from the Southwest FAQ regarding assigned seating.

View attachment 108464

I'm not mixing up dates, just confused as I feel their roll out has been confusing. I'm not planning on flying SW any longer, unless I have to, but I do have some flight credits and miles to use, so maybe I will.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I broke my leg while skiing last week. Yesterday, we flew home via SW. I like SW's current policy to handle my situation (it was nice to board first and get that first bulkhead seat). I was certainly hoping for a cure on the flight, but unfortunately, that didn't occur. I was non-load bearing on one leg before the flight and non-load bearing after the flight.

I assume that the policy on other airlines (and SW after open seating is gone) is that you will get the seat that you are assigned for a situation such as mine.

On Alaska, some seats are reserved for disability, generally the aisle seats just behind bulkhead. Whem someone reserves one of those seats, they are advised that a bump is possible.

I believe bump decisions are made by gate agents, So, to be put in one of those seats a gate agent has to agree that reseating is warranted. Once I got moved from 6C to 6B to accommodate someone with broken ribs.

 

[GT75]

On Alaska, some seats are reserved for disability, generally the aisle seats just behind bulkhead.

Thanks for that. I searched another airline (Delta) and they have a similar policy (according to AI, so we know that is true ). Nice to know but I am hopefully not planning on using that policy again.

 

[JohnnyO]

Southwest Airlines sounds the alarm on big problems ahead​

The airline no longer seems interested in its former branding as being different than other carriers.

https://www.thestreet.com/travel/southwest-airlines-shares-more-bad-news-with-passengers-#comments

 

[Patri]

They could have just started with one free checked bag. Two is excessive for most travelers. Now SW is no different than any other airline. The only reason to choose any carrier is price.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I have a lot of credits with SW Airline. I have points and money credits. We don't fly as much as we used to, we have been driving mostly. When we see a first class seat on United for only $100 each way over SW, we tend to book those instead. Happened with our trip to FL late May. I saw some great prices for United first class compared to SW's and chose the legroom and the comfort of first class over SW. It's not just SW's seats, it's about the noise on those flights, and the rude people that we have experienced.

On a flight to Tampa, our grandkids were with us, and the kids in front of us were standing on the seats, facing toward us, they were yelling and acting like they were on a playground. My granddaughter was 7 and was trying to watch a movie. It was quite distracting. I had a headache by the time we got to the airport Marriott for the night. It was late. I was hoping to get some reading in, but no, those kids were wild. The older teen didn't seem to be able to do anything with the kids.

 

[sponger76]

It's not just SW's seats, it's about the noise on those flights, and the rude people that we have experienced.

I fly on United all the time, and very seldom on Southwest. But to be fair, there are rude/misbehaving passengers on United too, even in First.

 

[x3 skier]

Let my Southwest credit card expire today. Nearest Southwest Airports are hour+ drive away vs 30 Minutes to AA, UA and Delta served airport. Enjoyes the service as it was but no need to waste more time to fly "Just another Airline". I'll use up existing points and credits and then Bye Bye.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

If I purchase a ticket now prior to the May deadline for a flight in Jan 2026 do I still get 2 free bags?

1 free bag policy usually works except when hauling ski gear. If not I may switch to United so we get 2 free bags for skiing.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I fly on United all the time, and very seldom on Southwest. But to be fair, there are rude/misbehaving passengers on United too, even in First.

Never have I experienced kids in any first class cabin that were naughty and jumping on seats. We fly first class a lot , always to the islands, sometimes to NYC or Orlando. We are are happy to have those quieter flights.

Our recent Southwest experience was very pleasant.

I have no idea what these changes will mean for our trips, but I do know that we will need to use flight credits and points that we have, and that will take a long time. I still have the SW credit card for free bags.

 

[Luanne]

Never have I experienced kids in any first class cabin that were naughty and jumping on seats. We fly first class a lot , always to the islands, sometimes to NYC or Orlando. We are are happy to have those quieter flights.

Our recent Southwest experience was very pleasant.

I have no idea what these changes will mean for our trips, but I do know that we will need to use flight credits and points that we have, and that will take a long time. I still have the SW credit card for free bags.

The SW credit card will get you one free bag, not the two you get currently.

I plan on using up the credits and miles I have with SW if it makes sense to do so. If it would end up costing me more money I'll use another carrier. And I plan on cancelling my Chase SW card when the renewal date comes up.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Companion is still best deal. We have it until end 2026. We have lots of points and gift cards to burn. Will price out but companion even with higher price usually pencils out better

Will use other carriers to get nonstops eg Cabo and 2 bags for skiing and moving kids to college (pretty much past that now). It was awesome while it lasted

 

[sponger76]

Never have I experienced kids in any first class cabin that were naughty and jumping on seats. We fly first class a lot , always to the islands, sometimes to NYC or Orlando. We are are happy to have those quieter flights.

Our recent Southwest experience was very pleasant.

I have no idea what these changes will mean for our trips, but I do know that we will need to use flight credits and points that we have, and that will take a long time. I still have the SW credit card for free bags.

I've been in First, on United, and have had kids kicking the back of my seat, and not just on one occasion. Rude seat mates on occasion, including watching videos on their tablets without headphones, taking off shoes/socks and putting their feet up, etc. As with nice people, obnoxious people exist in all walks of life and patronize a range of businesses within any given industry.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I've been in First, on United, and have had kids kicking the back of my seat, and not just on one occasion. Rude seat mates on occasion, including watching videos on their tablets without headphones, taking off shoes/socks and putting their feet up, etc. As with nice people, obnoxious people exist in all walks of life and patronize a range of businesses within any given industry.

True there are obnoxious people in all walks of life.

 

[PigsDad]

If I purchase a ticket now prior to the May deadline for a flight in Jan 2026 do I still get 2 free bags?

My understanding is yes, if purchased before the May deadline, you will still get 2 bags free.

Kurt

 

[Sugarcubesea]

They could have just started with one free checked bag. Two is excessive for most travelers. Now SW is no different than any other airline. The only reason to choose any carrier is price.

I so agree, I have used Southwest a lot in the past but without the free luggage, I'm not willing to use them going forward. From my airport, they have no direct flights to any of the locations I fly to, so now their price if its just a bit lower, I will use Delta or American where my CC allows me free luggage.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The SW credit card will get you one free bag, not the two you get currently.

I plan on using up the credits and miles I have with SW if it makes sense to do so. If it would end up costing me more money I'll use another carrier. And I plan on cancelling my Chase SW card when the renewal date comes up.

I believe it's one bag per passenger. That works for us.