Southwest's new $35 bag taxes make people angry: long lineups, unfriendly staff, and lost loyalty as "bags fly free" expires and customers switch to competitors.

Just before the start of summer, Southwest Airlines instituted its new bag policy, which was previously announced in March. "For reservations booked and ticketed or changed on or after May 28, 2025, ...

Gate-checking luggage is primarily due to limited overhead bin space or smaller aircraft. Passengers should be aware of aircraft type and boarding position to anticipate potential gate-checking. Treat ...

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The popular policy was suspended earlier this year. Southwest Airlines’ “Bags Fly Free” policy may not be dead yet, but it’s only going to be available under one condition. For decades, Southwest was ...

Cruising Altitude is a weekly column about air travel. Have a suggestion for a future topic? Fill out the form or email me at the address at the bottom of this page. As an avgeek and frequent traveler ...