Flying with Southwest or Spirit? You Need To Know Their Hardcore Carry-On Baggage RULES

Air travel is complicated enough, but some airlines crack down harder than others.

Southwest plane

As travel has picked up to unprecedented levels following the pandemic, more and more air travelers find themselves navigating — and getting frustrated by — the seemingly hectic and sometimes arbitrary-feeling rules of air travel and baggage restrictions. Figuring out the breakdowns of how each airline handles checked baggage, carry-ons, and personal items can be daunting, especially for those who don’t fly often. On top of that, some airlines are far stricter than others about carry-ons and what counts as a personal item, including one you may not expect.

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Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines is a bit notorious for how they handle carry-on baggage. The airline charges a fee to bring a carry-on on board. These prices can fluctuate but generally break down to $37 if purchased during flight booking, $45 if purchased during online check-in, $55 at the airport, and a whopping $65 at the gate. Furthermore, these carry-ons need to strictly measure 22 x 18 x 10 inches, or be checked.

Spirit Airlines at Orlando Airport

Spirit does include a SINGLE personal item with their standard fare. However, this item must measure within the range 18 x 14 x 8 inches, or a guest will be forced to pay a carry-on fee for the bag or any additional bags.

Southwest Airlines

While Spirit has a relatively negative reputation among travelers when it comes to baggage, Southwest Airlines is generally well-regarded, especially thanks to their included checked bag policy. However, earlier this year, the airline shocked some passengers by suddenly heavily enforcing carry-on and personal item policies that they had once let slide.

Southwest Counter at MCO

According to Southwests’s website, the airline requires carry-ons to be limited to 24 x 16 x 10 inches and stored in the overhead. Personal items can be stored under a passenger’s seat, and include purses (including crossbody bags), briefcases, laptops and their case, backpacks, pillows (except neck pillows), blankets, small cameras, and a pet carrier. However, previously guests would usually be able to carry a purse, fanny pack, crossbody, in addition to their allotted personal item and carry-on. This is no longer the case however.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the airline “quietly began cracking down on carry-on bags on Feb. 22, ahead of the spring and summer travel rush…” This crackdown means that items including purses, cross-body bags, and fanny packs that would previously have been allowed in addition to Southwest’s included carry-on bag and personal item are now being counted as separate items, that either need to be condensed or paid for.

A Southwest airplane’s interior.

In a statement, Southwest said the change was made to provide “a consistent customer experience and helps to align with other airlines’ policies.” According to the aforementioned Wall Street Journal article, a memo to employees about the changes singled out “cross-body purses of any size and pillows and blankets” as items to specifically police, though agents would also be able to “ad-lib” based on their instincts.

LaGuardia Airport

Looking for a carry-on bag option that can go under the seat in front of you? We have you covered. Our favorite carry-on bag is the Snoffic Backpack.

Snoffic Carry On Backpack

This little beauty can fit quite a few outfits, essentials, and even ears! It’s perfect if you are going on a weekend trip or if you just wanna make sure you have some essentials on board with you in case your luggage is lost. The backpack measures 16.53 x 11.41 x 7.87 inches(L x W x D) and weights 2.5 pounds(1.14 kg). That means that it should meet most airline personal-item requirements (so you won’t be paying that carry-on fee).

Snoffic Carry-On Backpack

Get the Snoffic Carry-On Backpack HERE!

If you’re flying on Spirit or Southwest anytime soon, make sure to study up on each airline’s respective baggage policies to make sure you won’t need to pay extra or sit at the gate rearranging things in an attempt to make things fit. Stay tuned to DFB for more travel news!

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