Southwest Airlines has announced that it has changed its baggage policy. Having operated for several years with the Bags Fly Free policy which gave passengers the option to check two bags for free, passengers must now say goodbye to this generous policy.
From now on, passengers traveling on Southwest Airlines routes will have to pay $35 to check their first piece of baggage and $45 to check their second, taking into account size and weight limits.
However, Southwest Airlines’ new revised policy does not include passengers traveling on the Business Select fare or members of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program who have earned A-List Preferred status, who will still be able to travel with two checked bags free of charge.
Similarly, users of the Southwest Visa credit card will continue to check one piece of baggage free of charge across the low cost airline’s entire network.
Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines, explained that “The airline implemented this new baggage policy to secure new revenue.”
Why this change?
“Indeed, this is a purely financial decision: we need to increase our revenue. However, our passengers will continue to benefit from exclusive fares on all our routes,” added B.Jordan.