When Does Southwest Change Its Bag Policy

Alright, let’s talk about Southwest’s bag policy. It’s famously one of the last great freebies in the sky—two checked bags, no charge. But here’s the rub: when does Southwest change its bag policy? It’s a question that pops up every few years, like wondering when your favorite restaurant will raise its prices. The short answer? Rarely—but it does happen, and usually with a lot of notice.

Why the sudden curiosity?

You’ve probably heard rumors. Maybe a friend swore their travel agent said “free bags are ending next month.” Spoiler: that’s almost always false. Southwest has kept the same two-free-bags rule since 2007—ancient history in airline years. Why change something that makes travelers grin like they found a five-dollar bill in a coat pocket?

But here’s the cool part: Southwest loves transparency. When they do tweak the policy—like during the 2020 pandemic when they temporarily suspended change fees—they announce it weeks in advance. Think of it like a favorite band telling you the setlist before the concert. No surprises, just clear info.

When to actually worry

Look for official announcements on their website or email blasts. If you see a headline screaming “Southwest Bags Now Cost Money!” but it’s not on their own blog or press page, ignore it. Airlines change policies for three main reasons: fuel prices skyrocket, a competitor does something drastic, or they’re merging with another airline. Southwest hasn’t done a major merge since AirTran in 2011, and that didn’t kill the free bags.

So, when does change really happen? Usually on January 1st or June 1st, because airlines love tidy calendar dates. But even then, it’s rare. Southwest’s bag policy is basically their signature move—like how In-N-Out won’t drop the Double-Double. You don’t mess with what works.

What about the future?

Let’s get curious: could Southwest ever add a fee for a third bag? Already a thing—they charge for that. But the first two? That’s sacred. Think of it like your grandma’s cookie recipe: she might tweak the sugar amount, but she’d never remove the chocolate chips. Southwest’s chocolate chips are those free checked bags.

Bags No Longer Fly Free: All the Southwest Changes Coming in 2025

And here’s a fun comparison: watching Southwest’s bag policy change is like watching paint dry—except the paint is gold, and it never peels. Other airlines bounce fees around like a ping-pong match. Southwest? They’re the chill friend who always brings extra snacks.

How to stay in the loop

Want to be 100% sure? Book a flight and read the fine print during checkout. Policies are updated there first. Or follow Southwest’s Twitter—yes, they still tweet. If a change is coming, you’ll hear it from them before any news article goes viral.

So relax. Your two free bags aren’t going anywhere soon. The next time someone asks, “When does Southwest change its bag policy?” you can smile and say, “Probably not today, but maybe next year—with a month’s notice.” And isn’t that kind of nice? In a world of surprise fees, Southwest stays a little bit predictable. Like sunshine in July. Or laughter at a bad joke. Pure gold.