Southwest Lets Passengers Check Free Case of Wine

New 'Sip and Ship' program allows flyers to bring home up to 12 bottles from wine country.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:13pm

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A bold, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style, featuring sweeping gradients and sleek, streamlined forms that evoke the romance and grand scale of travel, without any literal depictions of people, places, or text.Southwest Airlines' new 'Sip and Ship' program offers passengers a convenient way to transport their wine purchases from West Coast wine country destinations.Sonoma Today

Southwest Airlines is launching a new 'Sip and Ship' program that will allow flyers to check one case of wine for free when traveling from select West Coast wine country locations to eligible U.S. destinations. The airline defines a 'case' as one box or wine suitcase of up to 12 wine bottles weighing no more than 50 pounds.

Why it matters

The new wine checking policy is an attempt by Southwest to attract more customers visiting wine country and provide a convenient way for them to bring home their purchases. However, the announcement comes shortly after the airline ended its decades-old 'bags fly free' policy, raising checked bag fees, which has drawn some customer backlash.

The details

Starting April 24, Southwest customers will be able to check up to 12 bottles of wine at no additional cost. The wine must be in a standard shipping box or wine suitcase that meets checked bag requirements, with unopened bottles securely packed to prevent leaks or breakage. Passengers checking wine must be 21 or older, and the shipping container cannot be sealed before inspection at the ticket counter.

  • The new 'Sip and Ship' program launches on April 24, 2026.
  • Southwest ended its 'bags fly free' policy less than a year ago in May 2025.
  • The cost to check a bag increased from $35 to $45, and the second checked bag increased from $45 to $55, effective April 9, 2026.

The players

Southwest Airlines

A major U.S. low-cost airline that is launching the new 'Sip and Ship' program to allow passengers to check a case of wine for free when traveling from select West Coast wine country locations.

Andrew Watterson

Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines, who stated the airline is offering customers more convenience and an opportunity to continue sipping and savoring their time in wine country.

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What they’re saying

“'Southwest's new Sip and Ship program lets Customers bring home the best souvenir from wine country – vino!'”

— Southwest Airlines

“'By adding service to Sonoma County Airport and launching Sip and Ship, we're offering our Customers even more convenience and an opportunity to continuing sipping and savoring their time in wine country.'”

— Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Airlines

What’s next

Southwest said the new wine checking policy starts on April 24, 2026, and will apply to customers traveling from select West Coast wine country locations.

The takeaway

Southwest's new 'Sip and Ship' program provides a convenient perk for wine enthusiasts visiting wine country, but the announcement comes shortly after the airline ended its 'bags fly free' policy and raised checked bag fees, which has drawn some customer backlash over the airline's shifting policies.