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Checked Baggage Information

SCREENING AND IDENTIFICATION

Checked baggage will be screened and is subject to physical inspection as mandated by the Transportation Security Administration. Customers may be required to present identification. Regulations require name identification on the outside. We recommend placing identification on the inside of baggage, too. Name labels are available at Southwest Airlines ticket counters. Once you've checked your luggage, make sure you receive a separate claim check for each piece of baggage you've checked. Check to make sure that the city shown on the claim check(s) matches your final destination. Please see the TSA's web site for a list of prohibited items.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

For each ticketed Customer, Southwest allows two (2) checked pieces of baggage per ticketed Customer. Size and weight limitations apply.

EXCESS BAGGAGE

Excess baggage will be charged at the rate of $25 for the third (3rd) bag. Your 4th through 9th bag or item will incur a charge of $50 per piece, and any bag or item thereafter will be $110 per piece.

Effective June 17, 2009 -- Excess baggage will be charged at the rate of $50 for the 3rd through 9th bag or item. Any bag or item thereafter will be $110 per piece.

WEIGHT AND SIZE ALLOWANCE

Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage. Overweight items from 51 to 70 pounds will be accepted for a charge of $25.00 per item. Items weighing from 71 to 100 pounds and oversized items in excess of 62 inches but not more than 80 inches (i.e., surfboards, bicycles, vaulting poles) will be accepted for a charge of $50.00 per item.

Effective June 17, 2009 - Overweight items from 51 to 70 pounds will be accepted for a charge of $50.00 per item.

Any item weighing more than 100 pounds must be shipped as Air Cargo. However, Customers cannot use SWA Cargo unless classified as a Known Shipper as defined by the TSA or TSA approved Indirect Air Carriers (IAC). For all Cargo inquires please call the Cargo Sales and Service Center at 1-800-533-1222 or visit swacargo.com.

LATE CHECKIN

When checking luggage, allow sufficient time for it to be placed on your flight. Luggage checked less than 30 minutes before scheduled departure at curbside or at the ticket counter will be tagged with a Late Check-In Tag. The following airports now require a 45-minute baggage checkin or the baggage will be considered Late Checked:

  • Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
  • Chicago Midway (MDW)
  • Denver (DEN)
  • Las Vegas (LAS)
  • Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Phoenix (PHX)
  • Orlando (MCO)
  • Washington Dulles (IAD)

Although every effort will be made to get late checked baggage on your flight, in the event your baggage does not arrive with you at your destination, Southwest will not assume delivery charges to get your baggage to you.

LIABILITY
Unless excess value is declared and charges paid at the time of checkin, Southwest Airlines' liability for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage is limited to $3,000.00 per fare-paying Customer.

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

CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE

Improperly packed and/or fragile items will be conditionally accepted and Southwest will not be responsible for any damage to items that are tagged with Conditional Acceptance.

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