Southwest Ends Its Free Bag Policy Starting Wednesday

Southwest Airlines will begin charging customers $35 to check one bag and $45 for the second bag on Wednesday, ending its popular “bags fly free” policy.

When asked for comment, Southwest Airlines directed HuffPost to its website, which says customers flying on Business Select or those that have top loyalty status with the airline will get two free checked bags, while those with a Southwest credit card and those who book the airline’s second-most-premium seating option will get one free checked bag.

The airline announced the policy change in March, becoming the last major American airline to give up its free bag policy after holding on to it since Southwest was founded more than 50 years ago.

News of the change came after Southwest CEO Bob Jordan told CBS News in September that the airline wouldn’t change its bag policy.

“It’s the third thing customers look for after fare and schedule: Bags fly free, on us,” Jordan said at the time. “Ninety-seven percent are people who are aware of our policies. So it’s a huge consumer advantage. So bags will absolutely fly free.”

At a conference in March, Jordan said Southwest carried nearly twice as many bags as other airlines and that could slow its operations, according to The New York Times.