It can be challenging to choose which airline to fly to Disney World.
Orlando International Airport
If you are like us, you may want to be prepared for every situation and pack all your Disney World essentials, such as your Minnie ears, rain gear, multiple pairs of comfortable shoes, first aid supplies, and more. It can feel like baggage rules and fees are getting stricter and stricter on airlines, and unfortunately, if you are flying on Southwest Airlines in the near future, it is about to get even harder to pack for your Disney World vacation.
“Bags fly free” has been Southwest’s slogan and main pull since the airline was founded over 60 years ago. Passengers could check two bags for free and bring a personal item and carry-on on board. This was ideal for many travelers, as they could “pack it all” or not have to worry about not having enough room to bring a ton of souvenirs home with them.
Southwest Airplane at MCO
Unfortunately, Southwest is abandoning what made it stand out from other airlines and saying goodbye to its decades-long policy of free checked bags. This change came shortly after Southwest announced that it would be getting rid of its open seating policy and switching to assigned seats.
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While the assigned seating policy won’t start until next year, with tickets being sold in the second half of 2025, the baggage change is only about two months away. Beginning May 28th, 2025, Southwest will start charging flyers for their first and second bag (they always have charged for third and fourth bags).
Southwest at Orlando International Airport
There is an exception to this new rule, as some passengers will still be able to check their bags for free. When the rule changes, only Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and customers traveling on Business Select fares will receive TWO free checked bags. A-list Members and other select customers will receive ONE free checked bag. If you are a Rapid Rewards Credit Card member, Southwest will credit one checked bag.
Sunset on a Southwest plane
We are sad that this change is about to take place, and we will miss stress-free packing when flying Southwest. If you still have travel booked before May 28th, 2025, you will still be able to check two free bags, so take advantage of it while you can!
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Well rats. I liked the 2 free checked bags and open seating.
I do have their credit card so I would get 1 free checked bag and have a ton of airline miles to use.
So I will most likely still use them. Just not as much as I have in the past.
We have been flying Southwest since 1981. We are disappointed in this new luggage policy, yet as a practice, we typically pack light for our WDW trips, carry on our luggage, and do laundry mid vacation. We try to stay in a DVC Villa when possible, so that we have an in-room washer and dryer, or the ever convenient laundry facilities in the DVC building. With in room washers and dryers, the laundry rooms in the DVC buildings frequently have a open washer or minimal wait. Still, we are very disappointed in Southwest.
I would definitely look at other airlines now, if I could find another airline that flew nonstop from Kansas City to Orlando. Very disappointed.