Southwest Airlines is one of the major American airlines and is headquartered in Dallas. It carries the most domestic passengers of any airline in the U.S. Southwest only began in 1967, and founder Herb Kelleher insists on remaining in Texas to keep prices lower than competitors. It was the first major U.S. airline to hire a black chief pilot and was one of the first airlines to have its own website (as early as 1995!). In 2004, Fortune listed it among America’s top ten most admired corporations. Southwest also has one of the more generous carry on luggage policies.
Updated October 2019
Southwest Airlines carry on baggage size allowances
Headquarters Country: USA
Website: https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/index.html?int=GSUBNAV-AIR-BAGGAGE-INFO, then click on “carryon baggage” on their chart.
Number of items allowed: 1 plus a personal item
Maximum allowed in imperial: (official)
- H x W x D = 24 x 16 x 10 in
- H x W x D (personal item) = 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in
- Weight = not indicated
Maximum allowed in metric: (converted)
- H x W x D = 61 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm
- H x W x D (personal item) = 47 x 34.3 x 21.6 cm
- Weight = not indicated
Southwest Airlines baggage info
The maximum allowed carry on bag size for Southwest is 24 x 16 x 10 in/61 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm. Southwest’s personal item size is 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in/47 x 34.3 x 21.6 cm. Southwest does not specify weight for carry on baggage and personal items.
Unlike most airlines, Southwest allows 2 checked bags per customer. The maximum weight of checked bags is 50 pounds, and the oversize baggage fee is $75 per item for either over-length or over-weight baggage. Southwest makes an exception for military passengers, who are exempt from the two-bag limit and oversize charges, as long as bags are not over 100 pounds.
Southwest allows customers to check one stroller and one Child Restraint System or car seat per child without charge. This applies to any type of stroller, CRS, or car seat.
Southwest also allows passengers to bring liquids more than 3.4 ounces/100 mL in carry-on luggage, provided they were purchased at a duty-free store and are in secure, tamper-evident bags (STEBs).
Luggage cannot be checked curbside for international travel and must be checked at least 60 minutes prior to departure (75 minutes for Aruba).
Traveling in the USA? Check out these great food tour reviews in Jackson Hole, Atlanta, or Washington, DC.
