Question 1

What is the carryon policy at Southwest?

Accepted Answer

TSA regulations limit carryons to one bag and one small, personal item. If you're traveling with a pet, carriers are counted as either your personal item or carryon.

Question 2

How big can my carryon be?

Accepted Answer

Your carryon can be no bigger than 24” (L) + 16” (W) + 10” (H). If it’s bigger than those dimensions, it will need to be checked.

Question 3

Where can I store my carryon?

Accepted Answer

You must store your carryon in the overhead bin. Storing it wheels facing out helps us get going faster!

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

It will be safely stowed below the plane and you will pick it up at baggage claim when you arrive at your final destination. Assistive devices and strollers may be claimed at the gate/jet bridge. If your bag needs to be checked, be sure to remove the following:

Medication
E-cigarettes
Power-banks
Smart-Bag batteries
Spare batteries
Assistive devices (i.e., canes, etc.)
Keys

Question 5

What are examples of personal items allowed onboard?

Accepted Answer

Personal items include purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops (case included).

Question 6

Where can I store my personal item?

Accepted Answer

Your personal item must be stored under the seat in front of you. If it doesn't fit or if there's no seat in front of you, we'll ask you to place it in an overhead bin.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A child restraint system.
Assistive/mobility devices for individuals with a disability. There is no limit to the number of assistive/mobility devices you can bring onboard.
Outer garments or other wearable articles of clothing.
Food in disposable packaging.
Walking canes or umbrellas.

Question 8

Traveling with sharp objects.

Accepted Answer

Please make sure that any sharp objects (especially needles, syringes, and other items needed for medication) are properly covered and secured to prevent injury. Please tell a Flight Attendant if you use a needle/syringe while onboard so we may provide a disposal container.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Each Passenger is allowed to pack one quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosol, gels, creams, and pastes in their carryon bag. These are limited to 3.4 oz (100 mL) or less per item. During TSA security screening, these items must be removed from your carryon for inspection (unless you have been selected for TSA PreCheck expedited screening, in which case you may be exempt from the screening process). Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste that triggers an alarm during screening will require additional screening. Medications and infant and child nourishments are exempt from the 3.4 oz limit.

Question 10

What liquids are prohibited on flights?

Accepted Answer

We prohibit self-defense sprays (such as pepper spray) on all flights; they are not allowed in checked bags or in your carryon. See the TSA's full list of prohibited carryon items.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Passengers traveling internationally into the United States with a connecting flight are allowed to pack more than 3.4 oz or 100 mL of liquids purchased in duty-free shops in their carryon baggage. These liquids must be secured in tamper-evident bags. Technological advances may allow passengers to keep these liquids in their carryon baggage, provided Transportation Security Officers at the checkpoint are able to clear and screen them.

Liquids that cannot be screened and cleared by TSA will not be allowed in a carryon bag. Passengers can pack these items in their checked baggage, if available, or forfeit them before entering the secure area of the airport. This may include liquids in opaque, ceramic, or metallic bottles, or other containers that cannot be effectively scanned.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Passengers can travel with up to 20 spare batteries at a time. This includes portable chargers and external battery chargers for mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. Portable chargers and spare batteries must be packed in your carryon bag or with you onboard.

Because e-cigarettes are designed to operate by creating heat, they must be placed in a carryon bag or with you onboard. E-cigarettes aren’t allowed in checked bags. Don't forget, you cannot use e-cigarettes onboard.

Passengers are also allowed to travel with one lighter, which must be in your carryon or with you onboard. Note: lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked bags, unless they adhere to the Department of Transportation exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case.