Southwest Airlines Bag Size Policy

Hey there, fellow traveler! Grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and let's chat about something that's been on my mind lately - Southwest Airlines' bag size policy. I mean, who hasn't struggled with the age-old question: "Will my bag make it through, or will I have to play a real-life game of Tetris at the gate?"

First things first, let's talk carry-ons.

Southwest, being the friendly folks they are, have a pretty straightforward policy. They allow one carry-on bag and one personal item per passenger. Now, you might be thinking, "What's the difference, and how big can these bad boys be?" Well, let me spill the beans.

The carry-on, also known as your main squeeze, should be no larger than 24 inches long, 16 inches high, and 10 inches wide. That's roughly the size of a small suitcase or a large backpack. And hey, if you're struggling to remember, just think of it as the size of a standard carry-on bag on other airlines - Southwest just doesn't charge you extra for it!

Now, your personal item, the sidekick to your main carry-on, can be a purse, a laptop bag, or even a small backpack. It should be no larger than 18.5 inches long, 13.5 inches high, and 8.5 inches wide. That's about the size of a small backpack or a large purse. Easy peasy, right?

But wait, there's more!

You might be wondering, "What if my bag is a smidge too big? Will they make me check it, or will I have to perform some sort of airline baggage limbo?" Well, here's the deal. If your bag doesn't fit in the sizer at the gate, you'll have to check it at the gate for free. No need to break out the sad trombone just yet - at least it's not costing you extra!

And hey, if you're traveling with a pet in a carrier, that counts as your personal item. So, no need to worry about your furry friend taking up extra space. Just make sure their carrier is no larger than 18.5 inches long, 13.5 inches high, and 8.5 inches wide. After all, we want everyone to have a pawsome time, right?

How Big Can Your Carry On Bag Be Southwest at Eric Dunn blog

Now, let's talk checked bags.

Alright, so you've got your carry-ons all sorted out, but you've still got a few more items to check. Southwest has got you covered with their checked bag policy. They allow two checked bags per passenger, with the first two weighing up to 50 pounds each and measuring no more than 62 inches in total linear dimensions. That's roughly the size of a large suitcase or two medium-sized ones.

Now, you might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what if I've got a few extra items to check?" Well, Southwest offers additional checked bag options for a fee. You can check up to 10 bags, with the third bag and any additional bags weighing up to 100 pounds each. But hey, let's not get carried away - we're just trying to keep it real here!

So, what's the bottom line?

Southwest Airlines' bag size policy is pretty straightforward, and it's all about keeping it real. They want you to have a smooth travel experience, so they've made their policy easy to understand and follow. Just remember, one carry-on and one personal item per passenger, and your checked bags should be no more than 62 inches in total linear dimensions and 50 pounds each. And hey, if you've got a few extra items to check, they've got you covered with their additional checked bag options.

So, there you have it, folks! The lowdown on Southwest Airlines' bag size policy. Now, go forth and travel with confidence, knowing that your bags are in good hands. And hey, if you've got any other travel questions, just holler - I'm always here to chat!