Say It Ain’t So!? Social Media Pops OFF After Southwest Airlines Ends Free Checked Bags Policy

Chile! Southwest Airlines had social media users scrambling for answers on Tuesday (March 11) after switching up their checked bags policy. For 54 years, the company has allowed ALL passengers to fly with two bags free. Well, the company opted to kick tradition to the curb! In just a few weeks, free baggage will no longer be a perk for everyone, just for a select few.

RELATED:  Man Complains About Crying Child On Southwest Flight: “Did That MF Pay Extra To Yell?”

Southwest Reveals New Checked Bags Policy

As mentioned, Southwest Airlines will soon begin charging customers a fee to check bags. But get into this! Last fall, company executives said that Southwest’s free checked bags policy helps it stand out compared to other budget airlines. Additionally, Southwest has spent years and millions on advertising campaigns promoting the policy. All other leading U.S. airlines charge for checked luggage. But, Wall Street has long argued that Southwest was leaving money behind.

Not in 2025, though! It will be slashing the travel perk for most of its customers, beginning with tickets booked on May 28 and after. Southwest said Tuesday that it would continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List preferred members and customers traveling on Business Select fares. A-List members and other select customers will get one free checked bag. Passengers with Rapid Rewards credit cards will also receive a credit for one checked bag.

People who don’t qualify for those categories will be charged to check bags. When the policy change takes effect, the airline said it would also roll out a new, basic fare on its lowest-priced tickets.

Why This Is Happening & Other Pending Changes

In September 2024, Southwest Airlines estimated that charging bag fees would bring in about $1.5 billion a year. However, they also admitted that cutting the policy would cost $1.8 billion in lost business from customers who chose to fly its airlines because of its free baggage allowance.

“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,” CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.

So, why is this happening? Southwest has struggled recently and is under pressure from activist investors to boost profits and revenue. In October, the airline reached a truce with hedge fund Elliott Investment Management to avoid a proxy fight. Still, Elliott won several seats on the company board.

Less than a year ago, the Dallas-based airline announced it was ending another tradition. After more than 50 years, 2025 is the company’s last year using an open-boarding system. Southwest expects to begin operating flights with passengers in assigned seats next year.

Despite the shocking checked bags switch-up, Southwest’s stock rose more than 9% Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, the company’s employment is likely to trend downward soon. The airline announced last month that it was eliminating 1,750 jobs or 15% of its corporate workforce. This will mark the first major layoffs in the company’s entire history. CEO Jordan said in February that the job cuts are part of a plan to cut costs and transform the company into a “leaner, faster, and more agile organization.”

Social Media Is In SHAMBLES Over Airlines Switch-Up

As mentioned, Southwest gagged social media users with their new checked bags policy. On X (formally Twitter), the reactions were spicy, to say the least! Keep scrolling to see how the internet streets are reacting to Southwest dropping its most-enticing travel perk.

If Southwest Airlines had assembled a focus group and asked them “what’s the stupidest thing that we could do to ruin our company,” this is what they would have come up with. pic.twitter.com/sKHM2sFRK3

— Doug Gladden (@DougtheLawyer) March 11, 2025

There’s literally no reason to fly southwest now. The bags were literally the only advantage they had

— Stella’s Brother (@MaggDaddy) March 11, 2025

That was a nasty move for Southwest Airlines. They even could have dropped the free bag allowance down to 1 . But snatching both free checked bags is just greed.

— KDub (@AsToldByKristen) March 11, 2025

baby who is southwest trying to impress???? no sky lounge, no tvs, 90 percent of flights don’t have outlets but you think it’s okay to charge for bags after almost 60 years? I let yall slide with that assigned seat policy but now this? get your shit together.

— TB (@TevonBlair) March 11, 2025

Southwest letting you check 2 bags for free was the ONLY thing keeping them in business. If I gotta pay for BOTH bags now AND you cost just as much as a BETTER airline, why wouldn’t I go with them instead? Their pockets are about to HURT!! This won’t last long pic.twitter.com/mwSBOe9Bra

— The Real Destiny Marilyn (@sweet_novacanee) March 11, 2025

Southwest cancels bags fly free means they don’t know their customers. pic.twitter.com/cMCmonn0yJ

— Kevín (@KevOnStage) March 11, 2025

Unless no other carrier has a non-stop flight to where I need to go, there’s 0 reason to fly southwest going forward.

Delta, American, Alaska, etc all have similar pricing, and are better airlines after these changes.

— Matthew Gaylor (@MatthewGaylor) March 11, 2025

“If bags don’t fly free, I don’t fly with thee”
Sorry Southwest, all my golf trips will go elsewhere now. Big mistake y’all are making.@SouthwestAir

— Chris (@AR_aces23) March 11, 2025

May whoever decided to RUIN Southwest Airlines be immediately fired and NEVER allowed to touch the company again pic.twitter.com/s9HfQ7ms3I

— Dylan (@DylanMcD8) March 11, 2025

Woah: @SouthwestAir is going to start charging for bags beginning on May 28

Never thought I’d see this day. Select elites and biz passengers still get 2 free bags.

Basic economy and other more punitive changes are also coming soon.

The Southwest of yesteryear is dead.

— Zach Griff (@_ZachGriff) March 11, 2025

As someone who has flown almost exclusively with Southwest Airlines for the last 10 plus years I am no longer loyal. Will I possibly fly them again sure but I have 0 loyalty and im not happy about these changes. Might Cancel their card even.

— Michael Oliver (@mikeoliver93) March 11, 2025

Southwest is ruining their entire business model. Charging for luggages and assigned seats with no charging ports on most aircrafts? Pathetic.

— Tobi O. (@Heytobs) March 11, 2025

This is how you destroy a brand @SouthwestAir. This is one of the primary reasons I choose to fly this airline over American (of Dallas-based airlines with the best nonstops)

The moves Southwest is making are incredibly disappointing for those who have been loyal to this airline

— Amanda Atwell (@AmandaMAtwell) March 11, 2025

welp, it was fun flying Southwest while it lasted

— . (@storyofhalima) March 11, 2025

RELATED: Say WHAT?! Southwest Airlines Pilot Reportedly Removed From Cockpit & Arrested For DUI

Associated Press staff Michelle Chapman and Melissa Perez Winder contributed to this report.