“read The Room, Southwest.” The Internet Roasts Southwest Airlines Over Its New Bag Policy

“Bags fly free…” That has been the slogan for Southwest Airlines for several decades, but that’s about to change in just a few short months.

Southwest Airlines has been announcing a ton of changes to how it operates, including getting rid of its controversial open boarding process in exchange for assigned seating, offering premium seating options, and changing its rewards program. After Southwest announced that it would be getting rid of its “bags fly free” policy, though, the Internet has a LOT to say…and most of it isn’t pretty.

Southwest Airlines recently announced a change to its policy that previously allowed all passengers to fly with two free checked bags. Now, only select passengers will get free checked bags, while everyone else will have to pay. When the new change goes into effect on May 28th, 2025, only Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and those with Business Select fares will get free checked bags. A-List members and other select passengers will get one free checked bag, while Southwest will allow one checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Card holders.

Needless to say, this announcement was met with some controversy as Southwest’s “bags fly free” policy has always been a key marketing point to entice passengers to fly with the airline. The Internet quickly started roasting Southwest on its Instagram account after the company tried to make light of the policy shift. Here’s the post (and yeah, it does seem a little tone-deaf).

View this post on Instagram

Instagram user @kyneumann wrote: “This is going to be a great case study for communications AND business majors in like 10 years when Southwest doesn’t exist anymore.”

User @ecodisneybudget commented: “I wasn’t happy about open seating going away. However, I thought, ‘at least my bags are still free and changes can be made easily if anything comes up.’ Well, now those are going away so, once I use up the points I’ve earned, it’s goodbye.”

@shaymone wrote: “Read the room southwest…. this was a horrible decision.”

Regarding the Instagram post where Southwest tried to joke about the changes, @bronwyndower commented, “Y’all PAID someone for this?? Looks like those budget cuts should’ve been directed at the marketing department…”

Additionally, @vince48t replied, “There’s only one thing getting checked and it’s not my bags.” OUCH. While @kris.helou wrote, “Not sure who’s doing your social media, but this ain’t it.”

If you want to read all the comments for yourself, head on over to Southwest’s Instagram to check it out.

In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for more.

HUGE Changes Are Coming to Southwest Airlines SOON

What do you think about Southwest Airlines’ post? Let us know in the comments!

The post “Read the Room, Southwest.” The Internet ROASTS Southwest Airlines Over Its New Bag Policy first appeared on the disney food blog.