Packing can be a lot of work, from deciding what to bring, to getting it all to fit in your bags. Good thing bags fly free®† with us! Review our packing tips and cover all the basics.
- Prior to packing, make a list of everything you want to take and check off each item as it is packed. This will help make sure you don't forget anything (it's no fun to discover your toothbrush is still at home when you need to brush your teeth). It will also serve as a handy inventory list should your luggage become lost and you need to file a claim.
- Always put your name and address on the outside of all baggage, both checked and carryon. We also recommend placing your name and address on the inside as well, since outside tags can come off. Be sure to remove any old destination tags from your luggage. You certainly don't want your bags to end up in the wrong city!
- Put cosmetics, shoe polish, nail enamel, perfume, and anything else that might spill, break, and stain your clothing into resealable plastic bags or unbreakable containers. Hazardous materials are not allowed onboard. Fragile items may be included in your carryon allowance and brought onboard the plane. If you decide to check a fragile item, it's important to make sure it is properly packed to withstand the normal rigors of air travel. Fragile articles are accepted as checked baggage only at the customer's own risk.
- Remove hooks and straps before checking luggage. These are easily caught in baggage handling machinery, which can cause extensive damage to your bag.
- Southwest Airlines®/Southwest Vacations® will not be responsible for money; jewelry; cameras; video and electronic equipment, including computers; silverware; precious gems and metals; negotiable papers; securities; business documents; samples; items intended for sale; paintings and other works of art; antiques; collectors' items; artifacts; manuscripts; furs; irreplaceable books or publications; and similar valuables contained in checked or unchecked baggage.
†First and second checked bags. Weight and size limits apply. A golf bag can be substituted for one checked bag.