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Southwest Axes Popular Free Bags, Upsets Travelers
3 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Free checked bags policy ended, a signature Southwest offering.
- New fees for extra seats are being implemented for passengers.
- Specific flights to California and St. Louis will be canceled.
Southwest Airlines is undergoing a major business model transformation, implementing several unpopular changes for its passengers. The airline has discontinued its famous free checked bags policy, a move that has drawn significant passenger criticism. Alongside this, Southwest will begin charging for extra seats and has ended its open seating policy, while also prohibiting portable batteries in passenger bags.
The airline is also revising its flight schedules, leading to the cancellation of some essential daily and weekend routes. Specifically, the Baltimore to Ontario, California route will cease operations on August 3, 2026, and the Burbank, California to St. Louis route will end on August 2, 2026. These cancellations were announced well in advance, allowing travelers time to seek alternatives.
Despite these route adjustments, Southwest Airlines intends to maintain a strong foothold in California. The airline is notably increasing its operations in San Diego, with a record number of departures scheduled for peak days in August and September 2026. This indicates a strategic shift rather than a complete withdrawal from key markets.
