Southwest Airlines Hikes Baggage Fees Amid Higher Jet Fuel Costs

The Texas-based carrier joins other U.S. airlines in raising fees as the Iran war disrupts global oil supplies.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:07pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished metal luggage tag, a premium leather passport holder, and a set of sleek metal luggage locks arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the financial pressures facing the airline industry.As airlines grapple with rising jet fuel costs, Southwest's decision to hike baggage fees signals an industry-wide trend of passing along higher expenses to consumers.Chicago Today

Southwest Airlines is raising its checked baggage fees by $10, less than a year after ending its 'bags fly free' policy that had long set it apart from other carriers. The move comes as jet fuel costs have jumped since the start of the Iran war, which has disrupted global oil supplies and pushed up prices. Southwest is the latest U.S. airline to hike baggage fees, joining Delta, JetBlue, and United in responding to the higher fuel expenses.

Why it matters

The increase in baggage fees reflects the financial pressures airlines are facing due to the surge in jet fuel prices caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. As a major U.S. carrier, Southwest's decision signals an industry-wide trend of airlines passing along these higher fuel costs to consumers through various fee hikes.

The details

Starting on Thursday, Southwest customers checking one bag will pay $45, up from $35, while a second bag will now cost $55, up from $45. Some travelers will still receive a free first checked bag, including certain loyalty-tier members, eligible co-branded credit card holders, and active-duty military members. Southwest ended its decades-old policy of allowing passengers to check two bags for free in May 2025, a major shift for the carrier.

  • The new baggage fees took effect on Thursday, April 8, 2026.
  • Southwest ended its 'bags fly free' policy in May 2025, less than a year before the latest fee hike.

The players

Southwest Airlines

A major U.S. airline based in Texas that was previously known for allowing passengers to check two bags for free, a policy it ended in 2025.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran just before a deadline he had set for Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz and allow oil tankers to exit the Persian Gulf.

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What they’re saying

“The move was made 'as part of an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop.'”

— Southwest Airlines

What’s next

It remains to be seen whether the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran will hold, and how that will impact global oil and jet fuel prices in the coming weeks and months. Airlines will likely continue to monitor the situation closely and make further adjustments to fees and surcharges as needed.

The takeaway

The baggage fee hike by Southwest Airlines is the latest example of how the disruption to global oil supplies caused by the Iran war is forcing U.S. airlines to pass along higher fuel costs to consumers. This industry-wide trend highlights the financial pressures airlines face and the difficult choices they must make to maintain profitability.