Compare Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines for the same passenger, route, ticket date and measured bag. The key policy difference is explained below; either live itinerary quote can still change the result.
What we could confirm
| Field | Alaska Airlines | Southwest Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| What we know | Some rules checked | Some rules checked |
| Standard weight | Not confirmed | 50 lb |
| Standard outside size | Not confirmed | 62 linear in |
Compare the same purchase conditions
The Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines details above may cover different fares or routes. Check who flies each leg and what each ticket includes before you compare a bag charge.
What changes between these airlines
Alaska and Hawaiian removed a former general prepay discount for certain newer bookings, while Southwest uses date- and fare-specific mainland rows. Resident and elite exceptions are distinct from a universal free-bag claim.
| Airline | When it applies | Standard bag limit | Published fee example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | North American bookings from April 10, 2026; regional and benefit exceptions remain separate. | No directly comparable limit confirmed | First/second/third standard bags: $45/$55/$200. |
| Southwest Airlines | Separate mainland and Hawaii interisland tables; booking, ticketing or change date matters. | 50 lb; 62 linear in | Mainland from April 9: $45/$55 for standard first/second bags without benefits. |
The examples above may use different routes, fares, or dates. Don’t subtract one from the other as if they were quotes for the same flight. Use the interactive comparison for your own bag, then open both airlines’ booking flows for the final charge.
Compare your own trip
- Find the fare on each ticket and the airline flying each leg.
- Compare the same bag number, weight, and outside size for the same traveler and direction.
- Keep taxes, currency, and purchase timing in view. If either airline needs a booking quote, you don’t have a reliable price difference yet.
Check your bag dimensions · Compare fare plus baggage
Official sources and evidence
- Alaska Air Group: Update on bag fees (official page read; checked 2026-10-31)
- Southwest Airlines: Optional Travel Charges (official page read; checked 2026-10-31)
- Southwest Airlines: How do I pay for checked bags? (official page read; checked 2026-10-31)