Southwest Airlines is starting to load many leaflets to check the bags this week

Define your alarm. Southwest Airlines Customers only have one day to do before the company begins to take care to check the bags for the first time in more than half a century.

From Wednesday, the Southwest will end its policy “two Fly Free bags”.

It was an advantage that was sacro-sacrosing among customers and long-standing managers from airlines, distinguishing the airline from competitors. But luggage fees brought in nearly $ 7.3 billion for US airlines last year, according to federal data, and southwest leaders who have long promised to keep the policy was under pressure to increase income.

The airline has not yet said to what extent it would invoice to check the bags, but the rivals generally charge approximately $ 35 or $ 40 for a first bag checked for domestic flights, although there are some exceptions.

In addition to starting billing bags, Southwest has announced major changes to its business model in the past year, such as getting rid of open seats. The carrier also launches basic economy tickets like those sold by Delta airlines,, American airlines And United Airlines Wednesday.

Here is what travelers should know about the end of free bags on the Southwest:

Southwest will no longer offer two free plaid bags with many tickets purchased on Wednesday or after. For tickets purchased before that, a spokesperson from the South West said that the carrier will honor the terms of these prices, such as the two free checkered bags.

The costs will apply to his bases without frills, he wants to free himself more and his prices at any time.

Southwest announced the policy in March after months of pressure from the activist Elliott Investment Management, which took a participation in the airline last year and won five seats on the board of directors, putting pressure for major changes in society such as its free checkered bags, its modifiable tickets and its open seats.

Yes. Travelers with higher level status in the Southwest Rewards Rapid Rewards program of Southwest will receive two free checked bags, as are customers in the highest company selection rates.

Customers with a co-marked credit card from Southwest Airlines and their traveling companions reserved with the same card will not be invoiced for their first standard verified bag.

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

Southwest Wednesday will also start selling basic economy tickets.

With the new basic price, customers will not be able to modify their tickets, they will be among the last customers to board and their price credits will expire in six months, against 12 months for other ticket classes.

In another change, the airline puts an end to its price Wanna Get Away, which was the lowest level ticket before changes.

The Southwest has been known for its free cover model for decades. Loyalists often obsessively check a day before their flight in the hope of marking a favorable boarding slit.

But later this year, Southwest says that he will start selling tickets for the flights in 2026 which will have assignments of seats. He also is equivalent to his planes with additional legs for the legs, like many of his competitors, who recover higher prices.

The leaders of the Southwest have told staff that they expect passengers to pursue more luggage (these policies for free reports do not change) and said that the airline installs larger bins on sound Boeing Fleet, which should help an influx of hand luggage.

Managers also said that staff would get mobile bag bag printers on airport doors and halls to help customers.

The South West can hardly publish on social networks – even on babies and puppies on board – without making comments angry on the modified luggage policy.

But CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC last month that the policy change announced on March 11 had not dissuaded customers.

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