Southwest Airlines Baggage Information

Checked baggage should be locked. Regulations require name identification on the outside. We recommend placing identification on the inside of luggage, too. Name labels are available at Southwest Airlines ticket counters. Carrier will not be responsible for money, jewelry, cameras, video and electronic equipment, silverware, negotiable papers, securities, business documents, samples, paintings, antiques, artifacts, manuscripts, furs, irreplaceable books, or publications and similar valuables contained in checked and unchecked baggage. Fragile articles and perishables are accepted as checked baggage only at the Customer's own risk. Gun boxes may be purchased for a fee of $20.00 each. Checked baggage is subject to inspection and Customers may be required to present identification.

Free Baggage Allowance

For each ticketed Customer, Southwest allows three (3) free checked pieces, with size limitations.

Excess Baggage

Excess baggage will be charged at the rate of $30.00 each for the fourth (4th) and fifth (5th) pieces of checked baggage; $50.00 each for the sixth through ninth (6-9) pieces checked; and $100.00 for each piece checked thereafter.

Weight and Size Allowance

Maximum weight is 70 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches per checked piece of luggage. Overweight items from 71 to 100 pounds and oversized items (i.e., surfboards, bicycles, vaulting poles) will be accepted for a charge of $35.00 per item. Fishing rods will be accepted as baggage at no extra charge if properly encased in a manufacturer's container or for a charge of $10.00 if encased in a container furnished by carrier. Items over 100 pounds may only be carried as Air Cargo. Call Southwest Airlines Air Cargo at 1-800-533-1222 for applicable rates.

Liability

Unless excess value is declared and charges paid at the time of check-in, Southwest Airlines' liability for lost, damaged or delayed baggage is limited to $2,500.00 per fare-paying Customer.

Claims

Damaged or lost baggage must be reported, in person, within four hours of Customer's arrival at destination.

Carryon Baggage

For better ontime performance and cabin comfort, Southwest strictly limits carryon items to two per Customer.

All Customers traveling on Southwest Airlines will be restricted to two carryon items. No carryon item may exceed overall dimensions of 16 x 10 x 24 inches-height, width and length, as determined by sizing boxes located at each departure gate and ticket counter. Any heavy item must be placed underneath the Customer's seat. Any item with inflexible surfaces must be placed underneath the Customer's seat or flat on the floor of an overhead bin.

New Sizing Windows For Carryon Luggage:

As an added service for our Customers, new sizing windows are being installed at selected security checkpoints. These windows limit the size of carryon baggage to 24 x 16 x 10, which is the maximum size allowed for carryons by Southwest Airlines. If your luggage is too large, you will be asked to return to the ticket counter to check your bags. These sizing windows are already in place in Phoenix, Oakland, San Diego, and Los Angeles and will be coming to other airport security checkpoints in the future.

Animals

Southwest Airlines does not accept live animals other than animals trained to assist disabled persons.

Southwest Airlines does not accept pets for transportation in the cabin of our aircraft or in the cargo hold. Please make other arrangements for the transportation of your pets.

For more information regarding Southwest Airlines Baggage policies, please see the Contract of Carriage.

Updated January 18, 2000