Compare Southwest Airlines and American 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 | Southwest Airlines | American Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| What we know | Some rules checked | Some rules checked |
| Standard weight | 50 lb | 50 lb |
| Standard outside size | 62 linear in | 62 linear in |
Compare the same purchase conditions
The Southwest Airlines and American 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
Both airlines publish 2026 mainland first- and second-bag prices, but the online discount, fare inclusions, ticket dates and heavy-bag rules differ. Matching headline prices do not mean the bags cost the same on your trip.
| Airline | When it applies | Standard bag limit | Published fee example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| American Airlines | U.S. domestic, AA-marketed and AA-operated flights; ticket date, fare and payment channel are mandatory. | 50 lb; 62 linear in | Main Cabin after April 9: first/second bag $45/$55 online or $50/$60 at the airport. |
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
- 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)
- American Airlines: Checked bag fees and policies (official search excerpt; checked 2026-10-31)
- American Airlines: Oversize and overweight bags (official page read; checked 2026-10-31)