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Southwest Extends Boarding Window, Hikes Baggage Fees

8/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Southwest Airlines will move boarding window for 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 flights from 30 to 35 minutes before departure, starting August 1, 2026.
Southwest ended free checked bags on May 28, 2025, introduced $35/$45 fees, raised them to $45/$55 on April 9, 2026, and started seating on January 27, 2026.
Southwest has installed larger bins on 146 new MAX 8s, 39 retrofitted MAX 8s and 15 retrofitted 737-800s, aiming to complete the upgrades by end-2026.

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Story summary

Southwest Airlines will move boarding window for 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 flights from 30 to 35 minutes before departure, starting August 1, 2026.
Southwest ended free checked bags on May 28, 2025, introduced $35/$45 fees, raised them to $45/$55 on April 9, 2026, and started seating on January 27, 2026.
Southwest has installed larger bins on 146 new MAX 8s, 39 retrofitted MAX 8s and 15 retrofitted 737-800s, aiming to complete the upgrades by end-2026.