Say It Ain’t So!? Social Media Pops OFF After Southwest Airlines Cancels Free Checked Bags Policy

Chile! Southwest Airlines had social media users scrambling for answers on Tuesday (March 11) after switching up their checked bags policy. For 54 years, the company has allowed ALL passengers to fly with two bags free. Well, the company opted to kick tradition to the curb! In just a few weeks, free baggage will no longer be a perk for everyone, just for a select few.

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Southwest Reveals New Checked Bags Policy

As mentioned, Southwest Airlines will soon begin charging customers a fee to check bags. But get into this! Last fall, company executives said that Southwest’s free checked bags policy helps it stand out compared to other budget airlines. Additionally, Southwest has spent years and millions on advertising campaigns promoting the policy. All other leading U.S. airlines charge for checked luggage. But, Wall Street has long argued that Southwest was leaving money behind.

Not in 2025, though! It will be slashing the travel perk for most of its customers, beginning with tickets booked on May 28 and after. Southwest said Tuesday that it would continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List preferred members and customers traveling on Business Select fares. A-List members and other select customers will get one free checked bag. Passengers with Rapid Rewards credit cards will also receive a credit for one checked bag.

People who don’t qualify for those categories will be charged to check bags. When the policy change takes effect, the airline said it would also roll out a new, basic fare on its lowest-priced tickets.

Why This Is Happening & Other Pending Changes

In September 2024, Southwest Airlines estimated that charging bag fees would bring in about $1.5 billion a year. However, they also admitted that cutting the policy would cost $1.8 billion in lost business from customers who chose to fly its airlines because of its free baggage allowance.

“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect,” CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.

So, why is this happening? Southwest has struggled recently and is under pressure from activist investors to boost profits and revenue. In October, the airline reached a truce with hedge fund Elliott Investment Management to avoid a proxy fight. Still, Elliott won several seats on the company board.

Less than a year ago, the Dallas-based airline announced it was ending another tradition. After more than 50 years, 2025 is the company’s last year using an open-boarding system. Southwest expects to begin operating flights with passengers in assigned seats next year.

Despite the shocking checked bags switch-up, Southwest’s stock rose more than 9% Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, the company’s employment is likely to trend downward soon. The airline announced last month that it was eliminating 1,750 jobs or 15% of its corporate workforce. This will mark the first major layoffs in the company’s entire history. CEO Jordan said in February that the job cuts are part of a plan to cut costs and transform the company into a “leaner, faster, and more agile organization.”

Social Media Is In SHAMBLES Over Airlines Switch-Up

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Associated Press staff Michelle Chapman and Melissa Perez Winder contributed to this report.