Carry-on Dimensions for Southwest: Complete Baggage Policy 2026

Southwest Airlines offers a budget-friendly baggage policy to its customers. Despite being a low-cost carrier, the airline allows travellers to bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item for free onboard. The acceptable dimensions of these carry-ons should be 24 x 16 x 10.

The Choice Extra Fare members can bring complimentary checked bags on the flight as well. Also, to enhance savings on bags, passengers can enroll in Rapid Rewards. Despite Southwest having ended its ‘Bags Fly Free’ policy in 2026, the new rules remain economical. 

What are the Carry-on Dimensions for Southwest Airlines?

Above all, travellers must know that passengers are allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard. In addition, these rules apply to domestic as well as transcontinental flights. The important guidelines attached to this are as follows: 

• Primarily, the carry-on bag size for Southwest is accurately 24 (length) × 16 (width) × 10 (height).
• This size limit must be maintained by the passengers so that the bags can be loaded in the overhead bins. 
• Most importantly, these dimensions are inclusive of the wheels and handles of the luggage.
• However, there is no weight limit imposed on the carry-on bags boarded on Southwest flights.
• Also, the pet parents must be aware that their pet carriers will be considered either as carry-on or a personal item.
• Equally important, for travellers accompanied by children, can bring an FAA-approved car restraint seat in the cabin without cost.
• Additionally, if the musical instruments align with the carry-on size limits. Then passengers can bring them on board as a complimentary carry-on.
• Although if its weight is more than 165 pounds, or it doesn’t fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. 
• Hence, in such cases, an extra seat has to be purchased in the cabin.

A Reddit user wrote, “I love Southwest, but carry-on is a free-for-all. If you can stuff it in, you’re fine.”

What are the Oversized Carry-On Rules for Southwest Airlines?

Importantly, oversized carry-on luggage is subject to extra charges depending on the equipment type. Also, the overweight guidelines of the carrier are presented below: 

The fees for oversized and overweight baggage differ for inter-island Hawaii travel. 

What is Southwest Airlines’ Personal Items Policy?

As mentioned above, Southwest Airlines allows a free personal item in the dedicated cabin. So, travellers must ensure that this item fits under the seat. Generally, passengers are advised to keep their cash and expensive possessions in that bag. Some of the examples are as follows:

• Purses
• Sling Bags
• Briefcase
• Cross-body Bags
• Laptop case
• Backpack
• Small Camera
• Cash
• Expensive Items such as jewellery

All these commodities are considered personal items. Although items such as neck pillows are not counted as part of the carry-on limit.

Further, to know more, travellers can explore ‘Do Airlines Prefer Soft or Hard Luggage on Flights?’. 

Southwest Airlines’ Checked Baggage Policy

Accordingly, Southwest Airlines has ended its ‘Bags Fly Free’ policy after 9th of April, 2026. Therefore, the revised rates for all three checked luggage based on fare type are as follows: 

Whereas, the travellers who are travelling to Hawaii inter-island have to pay the following fees for their bags.

Further, the Rapid Rewards members are supposed to pay the following amount for their checked bags.

• Primarily, Southwest Airlines allows Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members to check two bags free of charge. The airline also extends this benefit to up to eight other members traveling on the same reservation.
• Secondly, Southwest Airlines offers the first checked bag free of charge to Rapid Rewards A-List Members and up to eight passengers traveling with them on the same reservation
• Although for the 2nd bag, all the travellers have to pay $35.
• Likewise, Southwest Airlines allows Rapid Rewards Credit Card members and up to eight other passengers traveling on the same reservation to check their first bag free of charge.
• However, Southwest Airlines charges $55 for the second checked bag.

The Rapid Rewards travellers who are visiting anywhere within the Hawaiian Islands have to pay this amount.

• Primarily, Southwest Airlines offers two complimentary checked bags to non-Hawaiian residents who are Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members, along with eight other eligible member categories.
• While the third bag will cost $50 each member.
• Accordingly, Southwest Airlines offers the first checked bag free of charge to non-Hawaiian residents who are Rapid Rewards A-List Members.
• Similarly, the 8 other members who are part of this reservation are eligible for this facility.
• Whereas for the 2nd and 3rd checked bags, it costs $15 and $50, respectively.

Equally important, the Active Duty Personnel can bring 2 checked bags on Southwest Airlines flights.

Moreover, passengers who have enrolled in the Getaways by Southwest vacation package. They can enjoy the amenity of carrying 2 checked bags for free, coupled with complimentary carry-on and personal item.

Additionally, travellers can also explore the detailed procedure if their luggage has been damaged in-flight.

Southwest Airlines Baggage Restrictions 

Accordingly, Southwest Airlines prohibits several items in carry-on baggage, checked baggage, or both. Therefore, the airline lists all such restricted items below.

Carry-on Bags

Primarily, passengers cannot keep these items in their carry-on baggage on Southwest flights. However, they can place some of these items in their checked luggage.

• Aerosol Insecticide
• Alcohol Beverages over 140 prof
• Arms and Ammunition
• Axes
• Baseball Bats
• Special battery-powered wheelchairs
• Guns
• Box Cutters
• Brass Knuckles
• Cattle Prods
• Chlorine for Pools
• CO2 Cartridges
• Cricket Bats
• Sprays
• Darts
• Dynamite
• Explosives
• Fertilisers
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (Banned in the United States of America)

Checked Baggage

Alternatively, this section highlights all the items that passengers cannot place in checked luggage. However, passengers can carry some of these items in their carry-on baggage.

• Lithium Batteries
• Portable Charges
• Power Banks
• E Cigarettes
• Lighters
• Recalled, damaged, or defective batteries
• Strike anywhere matches
• Torch lighters using butane or propane
• Lighter fluid
• Fire Starters (Liquid, Gel, and Solid)
• Alcoholic beverages over 140 proofs
• Bear spray
• Butane curling irons
• Chlorine for pools
• Dynamite
• Firecrackers
• Gasoline
• Gun Powder
• Live Coral
• Weather Barometer

Conclusion

To conclude, the Southwest Airlines baggage policies are quite generous for U.S. travellers. From allowing complimentary carry-on as well as a personal item. Southwest Airlines allows several categories of passengers and Rapid Rewards Members to check up to two bags free of charge. The airline also provides the list of prohibited items above.

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