Southwest Airlines announced on Tuesday that it would start charging for checked bags, ending another longtime policy that had set it apart from other airlines as it seeks to boost revenues and cut costs.
The airline will begin charging for the first and second checked bag beginning on May 28, Southwest announced Tuesday. However, members of its A-List loyalty program or those traveling on a business fare will be exempt from the fees. In addition, Southwest will credit one checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers.
“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,” President and CEO Bob Jordan said.
They are also putting expiration dates on its flight credits, a practice it eliminated during the pandemic.
Southwest did not immediately reveal what it would charge customers for their checked luggage. A Southwest spokesperson told HuffPost, “Airlines are not permitted to speak in specific terms about future pricing, fares, fees.”
Southwest was the last major U.S. carrier to allow free checked bags for all passengers. It had held the policy since its founding more than 50 years ago.
