Each traveler can carry on one bag and one personal item. According to the SouthWest website, "Southwest Airlines limits carry-on bag dimensions to 10 inches by 16 inches by 24 inches." Travelers must be ready to have their bags be searched and looked at with an x-ray. Dangerous items like guns, knives, tools and sharp objects will be confiscated.
Each traveler can check two bags where, according to SouthWest, "Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage." For bags that exceed the maximum weight and size, a $50 charge will be incurred. Each piece of luggage beyond the second bag incurs a $50 fee up to the ninth bag. After that each piece costs $110.
For most airports, bags checked in less than 30 minutes before a scheduled flight are late check-ins and could affect baggage arrival. SouthWest's liability insurance on lost, damaged or delayed baggage is $3,300 per ticketed customer. It also has a list of special luggage that comes with special considerations. See references.
