Southwest tightens what 'cheap' means

Southwest is shrinking what its cheapest tickets include, even as it adds a new free wine-shipping perk. The airline now charges Basic passengers $45 for a first checked bag on many new bookings, and reports say it is studying whether to bar those fares from overhead-bin space too. (southwest.com; simpleflying.com) The fee change took effect for mainland travel booked, ticketed, or changed on or after April 9, 2026, according to Southwest’s fee page. Under that chart, Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares pay $45 for a first checked bag and $55 for a second, while Choice Extra still includes two free checked bags. (southwest.com) Southwest has not announced an overhead-bin ban on its own site, but Simple Flying reported on April 12 that the carrier is considering a Basic fare that would allow only a personal item. Southwest told the outlet the report had been updated with a company response, but the airline’s published fare pages still list “Carryon + Personal Item” as free for Basic. (simpleflying.com; southwest.com) These cuts land in the middle of a broader remake of the airline’s product. Southwest says assigned seating is now bookable for travel on or after January 27, 2026, replacing the open-seating system that long set it apart from larger rivals. (southwest.com; southwest.com) The new fare ladder is built around seat location and boarding order. Southwest’s assigned-seating page says Basic customers get a standard seat assigned at check-in and board last, while higher fares can choose seats earlier and, at the top end, get extra-legroom seats, earlier boarding, and two free checked bags. (southwest.com) Southwest is also trying to soften the message with a niche freebie. In a press release on April 7, the airline said its new “Sip and Ship” program starts April 24 and lets each customer check one case of wine at no extra charge from 44 airports in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. (southwestairlinesinvestorrelations.com) The timing is awkward because bag fees across the industry are rising too. American Airlines raised domestic checked-bag fees to $50 for a first bag and $60 for a second at the airport on tickets bought on or after April 9, 2026, meaning a round trip with one checked bag each way can now reach $100 before any other add-ons. (airtraveler.club) Southwest has also tightened what passengers can bring for power. Its help center says spare lithium batteries and power banks cannot go in checked bags, and multiple reports this week said the airline will limit passengers to one portable charger starting April 20 and bar those devices from overhead bins. (southwest.com; newsweek.com) For travelers, the practical change is simple: the cheapest Southwest fare now looks more like a stripped-down bundle than the old “bags fly free” promise. The airline’s own booking pages show that, by spring 2026, price, seat choice, boarding order, bin access, and bag fees are all moving onto separate rungs. (southwest.com; southwest.com)