Two-Thirds Of Frequent Southwest Flyers Say They're Booking Other Airlines Due To Baggage Fees, Survey Shows

(MENAFN- PR Newswire)

MINNEAPOLIS, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thrifty Traveler - A new survey from the leading travel site Thrifty Traveler suggests that many once-loyal Southwest flyers are booking with other carriers after the airline ended its free baggage policy this spring.

The recent online survey, conducted in May and June - just before and after Southwest began charging most passengers for baggage - found that roughly two-thirds of travelers who said they regularly flew Southwest are now considering (or already booking) other carriers as a result of that baggage policy change.

Of the respondents who said they were regular Southwest customers, just 33% said they're continuing to book travel with Southwest as normal.

"Southwest shocked the travel world earlier this year when it announced it would end its ultra-popular 'Bags Fly Free' policy," said Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler. "While the airline will no doubt make good money charging passengers $35 or more per bag, it's also clear they will lose some business from once-diehard fans who no longer see a reason to book Southwest over other carriers."

Thrifty Traveler surveyed 670 subscribers of its free and paid travel news and flight deal newsletters between May 5 and June 21. The online survey explored sentiment around travel in 2025, including about Southwest.

After announcing in March it would begin charging most passengers for bags, Southwest officially enacted that policy for new tickets purchased as of May 28, 2025.

While all passengers previously got two free checked bags on even its cheapest tickets, the airline now charges $35 per passenger each way to check a bag - and $45 for a second bag - on all but its priciest "Business Select" fare types. Only travelers with a co-branded Southwest credit card or status with the airline can still get a free bag on every flight.

For more details on this survey and additional analysis, check out the full story .

Survey Methodology
Thrifty Traveler conducted an online survey between May 5 and June 21, 2025, to gain insight on travel sentiment. A total of 670 individuals responded, consisting of subscribers of its free and paid travel news and flight deal newsletters. The survey was voluntary and consisted of multiple choice and open-ended questions related to travel plans and specific airline policy changes.

About Thrifty Traveler
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Thrifty Traveler is a leading travel and flight deal website that sends hundreds of thousands of travelers cheap airfare alerts as well as points and miles deals every day while also covering the ins and outs of the airline and travel industries. More than 1.1 million travelers rely on Thrifty Traveler for flight deals, travel tips, advanced guides to redeeming credit card points and airline miles, and expert industry analysis.

Media Contact
Kyle Potter
[email protected]
218-522-1505

SOURCE Thrifty Traveler

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