Southwest Airlines begins to load many flyers to check the bags this week

Set your alarm. Southwest Airlines Customers only have one day to go before the company starts charging to check the bags for the first time in more than half a century.

As of Wednesday, Southwest will finish its blanket policy “Two bags fly for free”.

It was an advantage that was sacrificed between customers and executives of airlines equally, distinguishing the competitors airline. But luggage rates raised almost $ 7.3 billion for US airlines.

The airline has not yet said how much it will charge the bags, but the rivals generally charge around $ 35 or $ 40 for a first reviewed bag for national flights, although there are some exceptions.

Along with starting to charge for the reviewed bags, Southwest has announced important changes in its business model during the past year, such as getting rid of open seats. The carrier is also debuting basic economy tickets such as those sold by Delta airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines On Wednesday.

This is what travelers should know about the end of free bags in the southwest:

Southwest will no longer offer two free reviewed bags with many tickets bought on Wednesday or later. For tickets bought before that, a southwest spokesman said that the carrier will honor the terms of these rates, such as the two free control bags.

The rates will apply to their basic luxuries, their wants to escape and their rates at any time.

Southwest announced the policy in March after months of pressure from activist Elliott Investment Management, which assumed a participation in the airline last year and won five seats of the Board, pressing for important changes in the company such as its bags to free verification, changable tickets and open seats.

Yes. Travelers with the top -level state in the Loyalty Rapid Rewards program of Southwest will obtain two free reviewed bags, as well as customers in the highest level business rates will select.

Customers with a Southwest Airlines shared brand credit card and their travel companions reserved with the same card will not be charged for their first standard bag reviewed.

The members of the frequent brochure on list A, the second highest level of the loyalty program, will also get their first bag for free.

Southwest on Wednesday will also start selling basic economy tickets.

With the new basic rate, customers will not be able to make changes in their tickets, they will be among the latest clients to address and their rates loans will expire in six months, compared to 12 months for other kinds of tickets.

In another change, the airline is finishing its Wanna Get Away rate, which was the lowest level ticket before the changes.

Southwest has been known for its open seat model for decades. Loyal are often registered obsessively in a day before their flight in the hope of writing down a favorable shipping space.

But at the end of this year, Southwest says that it will start selling flight tickets in 2026 that will have seat assignments. It is also equipping its airplanes with additional leg space seats, such as many of its competitors, which obtain higher prices.

Southwest executives have told staff that they expect passengers to perform more luggage (those free transportation policies do not change) and have said that the airline is installing larger higher containers in their Boeing Flot, which should help with an influx of handbags.

Executives have also said that staff will receive mobile bag printers in Gates and Airport Lobbies to help customers.

Southwest can barely publish on social networks, even about babies and puppies on board, without receiving angry comments on changed luggage policy.

But CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC last month that the policy change announcement made on March 11 has not deterred customers.

“We have not seen any book on that day or after that day,” he said in “Squawk on the street” on April 24.