Baggage Information | Southwest Airlines

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Be ready to board&mdash;brush up on our checked and carryon baggage policies, and make sure you know what you can and can&rsquo;t bring along on your next adventure.

Baggage

The ins and outs of what you can and can’t bring with you.

Checked Baggage Policy | Southwest Airlines

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Checked baggage

Does Southwest® charge to fly with checked baggage?

How big can my checked baggage be?

What is considered excess baggage?

Am I required to add a personal luggage tag to my checked bag?

How do I check bags for international flights?

How long before my flight's departure time can I check bags?

What will happen to my checked bag if I choose to travel standby?

What are the checked baggage rules for military personnel?

I need help with delayed, lost, or damaged baggage.

Checked baggage basics

How is checked baggage screened?

Should I lock my luggage?

How should I pack sharp objects, like medication syringes?

Can I check lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, and lighters?

What is prohibited from being packed in checked bags?

Checked baggage safety

What does it mean to check bags online?

How many bags can I check online?

Can I check special baggage or sports equipment online?

How can I change the number of bags I added to my reservation?

When can I add checked bags to my reservation?

Once I arrive at the airport, where do I go if I have previously added checked bags to my reservation online?

What if I checked bags online then changed my mind and no longer need to check bags?

Checking bags online

Carryon Baggage Policy | Southwest Airlines

Carryon baggage

What is the carryon policy at Southwest?

How big can my carryon be?

Where can I store my carryon?

What if my carryon needs to be checked at the gate?

What are examples of personal items allowed onboard?

Where can I store my personal item?

What carryon or personal items are not counted against the TSA limit?

Carryon bags and personal items

Traveling with sharp objects.

Traveling with liquids, aerosol, gels, creams, and pastes.

What liquids are prohibited on flights?

What are the rules for liquid items I purchase at a duty-free store?

Traveling with lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, and lighters.

Items in carryons and personal items

Special Baggage and Sports Equipment | Southwest Airlines

Special baggage and sports equipment

What sports equipment can I bring?

Specialized sports equipment.

Sports equipment

Dry cell batteries.

Fuel cells.

Lithium batteries.

Spillable wet cell.

Non-spillable wet cell.

Hoverboard batteries.

Batteries

Gun laws.

Declaring a gun (including BB Guns).

Paintball and Airsoft guns.

Gun storage requirements.

Checking guns.

Guns and carryons.

Packing ammunition.

Ammunition limits.

Self-defense sprays.

Guns, ammunition, and self-defense sprays

Medications.

Medical oxygen.

Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs).

FAA-accepted portable oxygen concentrators.

Making reservations using portable oxygen concentrators.

Portable oxygen concentrators at the airport.

Portable oxygen concentrators onboard the aircraft.

Vendors that rent some or all of the above approved POCs.

Short-term rentals of all FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators.

Medications and oxygen

Can I check alcohol in my baggage?

Alcoholic beverages

Flammable camping equipment.

Fueled camping equipment.

Camping knives and blades.

Camping equipment

Traveling with PEDs.

Portable electronic devices (PEDs)

Electric air compressors/gasoline powered compressors.

Internal combustion engines.

Flammable liquids.

Motor oil and fluids.

Engines and air compressors

Can I travel with wedding attire?

Wedding attire

Can I travel with seafood or other frozen/perishable food items?

Seafood and perishable items

Can I travel with human cremated remains?

Human remains

Carrying an instrument onboard.

Purchasing a seat for an instrument.

Checking an instrument.

Musical instruments

Delayed, Lost, or Damaged Baggage | Southwest Airlines

We're sorry about your baggage&mdash;we're here to help. Please make a report in person to the Baggage Service Office (located in the baggage claim area or at the ticket counter). Signage is also available outside our Baggage Service Offices with a QR code you can scan to make a report. If you've already left the airport, please <a href="https://app.nettracer.aero/pax/southwest/bso/login?src=HLP" aria-describedby="a11y-message-header--third-party-site" target="_blank" rel="noopener">create a report online</a>, <a href="https://www.southwest.com/html/contact-us/index.html?clk=HELPCTR_LOSTBAG_CONTACT">contact us via email</a>, or call (888) 202-1024.
For domestic itineraries, Customers must notify us of the claim no later than four hours after either: (a) arrival of the flight on which the loss, damage, or delay is alleged to have occurred, or; (b) receipt of the baggage, whichever is applicable.
For domestic itineraries, we&rsquo;re not liable for manufacturer defects or for minor damage resulting from normal wear and tear, such as cuts, scratches, scuffs, stains, dents, punctures, marks, and dirt. We&rsquo;re also not liable for carryon baggage or any items contained in a bag deemed overstuffed.
For international itineraries, the Customer must contact us no later than seven calendar days in the case of damage to baggage and twenty-one calendar days in the case of delay.

My baggage has been lost, damaged, or delayed or items are missing from my bag. What should I do next?

Delayed baggage If you opt in, you'll receive regular status updates via text and, in most cases, have the opportunity to provide a delivery address of the location of your choice for your baggage. If you do not opt in to receive text notifications, you'll receive status updates via telephone.
Once located, your bag will be transferred to our contracted courier, and you can track the delivery online.
Lost baggage If your bag isn't located after five days, you can submit your claim on our <a href="https://app.nettracer.aero/pax/southwest/auth/login" aria-describedby="a11y-message-header--third-party-site" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Baggage Claim Web Portal</a>. You'll use your incident number to access the portal.
Damaged baggage You can submit your claim on our <a href="https://app.nettracer.aero/pax/southwest/auth/login" aria-describedby="a11y-message-header--third-party-site" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Baggage Claim Web Portal</a>. You'll use your incident number to access the portal.

I've created a report. What happens next? 

The report number is in the center of the Lost/Delayed Report Receipt, below Customer Baggage Report Information.

Where can I find my report number?

Receipts for interim expenses should be submitted via our <a href="https://app.nettracer.aero/pax/southwest/auth/login" aria-describedby="a11y-message-header--third-party-site" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Baggage Claim Web Portal</a> for consideration. You&rsquo;ll use your incident number to access the portal.

I had interim expenses as a result of my baggage being lost, damaged, or delayed. Will I be reimbursed?

Bags checked less than 45 minutes before scheduled departure may not be on your flight or arrive when you do. If the baggage does not arrive with you at your destination, Southwest doesn't pay for delivery charges to get it to you.

Baggage checked within 45 minutes of departure for domestic travel.

When you choose to travel standby after checking a bag, you are voluntarily separating from your baggage. If you are cleared for your desired flight and your bag does not arrive with you at your destination, Southwest doesn't pay for delivery charges to get it to you.

Customers who travel standby after checking baggage.

Domestic Itineraries
Southwest Airlines assumes no responsibility and will not be liable for loss or damage arising from normal wear and tear, such as cuts, scratches, scuffs, stains, dents, punctures, marks, and dirt. Furthermore, Southwest Airlines assumes no liability for defects in baggage manufacture.
Southwest Airlines assumes no responsibility and will not be liable for money; jewelry; photographic, video, and optical equipment; computers and other electronic equipment; computer software; silverware and china; fragile or perishable items; liquids; precious gems and metals; negotiable instruments; securities; business or personal documents; samples; items intended for sale; paintings, artifacts, and other works of art; antiques; collectors' items; unique or irreplaceable items; heirlooms; research, experimental, and scholastic items and documents; manuscripts; furs; irreplaceable books or publications; and similar valuables contained in carryon or checked baggage. Passengers should not transport these items in or as checked baggage.
Improperly packed and/or fragile items will be accepted subject to limited release and Southwest won't be responsible for any damage to items that are accepted with Limited Release.
The liability of Southwest Airlines (if any) for loss of, damage to, or delay in delivery of carryon or checked baggage, with the exception of assistive devices used by a Customer with a disability that are declared by the Customer prior to transport, is limited to the proven amount of damage or loss, not to exceed $3,800.00 per fare-paying Passenger, unless, at the time of check-in, the Customer has declared the value of the baggage to be in excess of $3,800.00 and purchased the appropriate excess valuation. Excess valuation is not available for all items.
International itineraries
International itineraries: If baggage is lost, damaged, or delayed, whether checked or unchecked, Southwest's liability is limited to 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) for each Passenger under the Montreal Convention or the Warsaw Convention, whichever may apply. Learn more about SDRs with the <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/About/Factsheets/Sheets/2016/08/01/14/51/Special-Drawing-Right-SDR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Monetary Fund</a>.

Is Southwest responsible for lost or damaged baggage?

If you realize that you left an item on the plane, please notify a Customer Service Agent before leaving the airport so they can try to retrieve it. If you've left the airport, please file a <a href="https://app.nettracer.aero/pax/southwest/bso/login?src=HLP" aria-describedby="a11y-message-header--third-party-site" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost and found report</a>. You can also review our <a href="https://app.nettracer.aero/lf-pax/southwest/faq?src=HLP" aria-describedby="a11y-message-header--third-party-site" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frequently Asked Questions</a> about the lost and found process.
If you provide an email address, you'll receive regular communication on the status of the search; you'll be contacted via email and/or phone if it's located. If you do not provide an email address, you will only be contacted by phone if your item is located.
If we don't find your item within 30 days of your report, chances are, it wasn't turned in. While we make every effort to locate lost items, we aren't liable for unchecked items left on the plane.

Oops, I left something on the plane. Can I get it back?

Delayed, Lost, or Damaged Baggage

International Flights Baggage Policy | Southwest Airlines

You can check your bags at the ticket counter when you arrive at the airport. You must check baggage at least 60 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure. If traveling from Aruba, check your bags at least 75 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure.
If you&rsquo;re a connecting Passenger, you must claim all luggage upon arrival in the U.S. After clearing Customs, recheck all luggage with a Customer Service Agent before proceeding to connecting flight(s).

How do I check bags on an itinerary that includes an international flight?

No, you must check in at the ticket counter or kiosk in order to have your passport verified, check luggage, and receive your boarding pass.

Can I use curbside check-in for flight itineraries that include at least one international leg?

Flying with Baggage Internationally

Baggage Embargo | Southwest Airlines

A baggage embargo is a restriction that may apply to oversized, overweight, and extra checked bags for select international destinations. Some destinations have year-round restrictions and others have restrictions during summer and holiday travel periods. During an embargo, we will not accept any checked items outside the limit(s) described below. Our standard <a href="/help/baggage/carryon-baggage">carryon policy</a> applies during a baggage embargo.
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What is a baggage embargo for checked bags?

During busy travel seasons, we must take proactive steps to ensure that we have adequate space for each Customer to check up to two standard-sized bags. As such, we implement a temporary embargo each year for Customers traveling to specific locations.

Why does Southwest have baggage embargos?

Cuba (HAV) has a year-round baggage embargo. Customers may not check more than two bags, oversized bags (over 62 linear inches), or overweight bags (more than 50 pounds). Boxes of any size are not accepted with the exception of televisions and air conditioning units contained in their original packaging. Television and air conditioning unit packaging must not exceed 62 inches in size (length + width + height).
Assistive devices transported by Customers with disabilities are exempt from the embargo. Customers traveling with children may check one stroller and one Child Restraint System (CRS) per child in addition to the regular free baggage allowance.

What is the baggage embargo for traveling to Cuba?

Bahamas (NAS), Belize (BZE), Jamaica (MBJ), and San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) have a temporary baggage embargo between November 15 and January 15. Jamaica (MBJ) also has an embargo between August 15 and September 15.
Assistive devices transported by Customers with disabilities are exempt from the embargo. Customers traveling with children may check one stroller and one Child Restraint System (CRS) per child in addition to the regular free baggage allowance.
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<td width="175">
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NAS
</td>
<td width="74">
BZE
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MBJ
</td>
<td width="74">
SJO
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<td width="175">
Checked item limit
</td>
<td width="74">
2
</td>
<td width="74">
2
</td>
<td width="74">
2
</td>
<td width="74">
2
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<td width="175">
Over 62 inches (length+width+height)
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NO
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NO
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NO
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NO
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<td width="175">
Weighing up to 100 pounds
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<td width="74">
YES*
</td>
<td width="74">
YES*
</td>
<td width="74">
YES*
</td>
<td width="74">
YES*
</td>
</tr>
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<td width="175">
Boxes, storage containers, ice chests
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NO
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<td width="74">
NO
</td>
<td width="74">
NO
</td>
<td width="74">
NO
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</tr>
</tbody>
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*Overweight fee applies to checked baggage weighing more than 50 pounds
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What is the baggage embargo for traveling to Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, and San Jose, Costa Rica?