Southwest Adds Baggage Fees in 2025 — But Here’s What Hawaii Residents Need to Know.

Southwest Adds Baggage Fees in 2025, But Here’s What Hawaii Residents Need to Know.

Updated May 27, 2025

It’s official: after years of offering two free checked bags, Southwest Airlines will begin charging for checked luggage starting May 2025. This change puts Southwest more in line with other major U.S. airlines, where baggage fees are the norm.

But if you’re a local here in Hawaiʻi, don’t panic — you will still be able to fly interisland with no bag fees.

🧳 New Southwest Baggage Fee Structure

According to Southwest’s updated policy:

• 1st Checked Bag: $35

• 2nd Checked Bag: $45
  These fees apply on most mainland and international flights and will roll out for bookings made on or after May 28, 2025.

🔗 Full Policy Details →

🌺 What About Interisland Flights?

Here’s the good news for kamaʻāina:

Southwest will continue offering 2 free checked bags for Hawaii residents traveling interisland.

This benefit helps preserve affordable interisland travel for locals — but there's a catch: you must verify your Hawaiʻi residency to qualify.

✅ How to Verify Your Hawaiʻi Residency

1. Create or log in to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account
   This is Southwest’s free loyalty program. You must be logged in for the system to apply the benefit.

2. Ensure your Rapid Rewards account includes your Hawaiʻi address
   According to Southwest's policy, having a Rapid Rewards account with a Hawaiʻi address qualifies you for two free checked bags on interisland flights.

3. Book your interisland flight while logged into your verified Rapid Rewards account
   Once your account reflects your Hawaiʻi residency, the bag fee waiver will automatically apply to interisland flights booked under your account.

It's important to note that this benefit is exclusive to Hawaiʻi residents traveling interisland. Travelers without a verified Hawaiʻi address in their Rapid Rewards profile will be subject to the standard baggage fees. If you don’t live in Hawaii, please, don’t cheat the system.

🌴 Final Thoughts

Southwest has long been a local favorite because of their no-frills pricing and free bags. While the shift to baggage fees on mainland flights is disappointing, we’re thankful they’re preserving the interisland perk for Hawaiʻi residents.

Take a few minutes to verify your residency now, so you don’t get hit with surprise fees the next time you fly to Hilo or Kauaʻi.

📌 Summary

• ✅ New Southwest bag fees: $35 (1st) / $45 (2nd)

• 🏝 Interisland flights still include 2 free bags for Hawaiʻi residents

• 📝 Verify your address at southwest.com/hawaiiresident

• 💼 Consider travel cards to avoid fees on mainland flights