Checked baggage will be accepted at the airport no earlier than 4 hours ahead of your flight’s original scheduled departure time.

Domestic Itineraries

Bags checked less than 45 minutes before scheduled departure may not be accepted. For flights departing St. Thomas (STT), the deadline for checking baggage is 90 minutes prior to original scheduled departure.  If late-checked baggage is accepted, it may not arrive on your flight or arrive when you do. If late-checked baggage does not arrive with you at your destination, Southwest® does not pay for delivery charges to get it to you.

International Itineraries

If any portion of your itinerary contains an international flight, you must check baggage at the ticket counter. Baggage for international flights will not be accepted if presented less than 60 minutes prior to original scheduled departure. For flights departing Aruba (AUA), baggage will not be accepted if presented less than 75 minutes prior to original scheduled departure. You cannot voluntarily separate (i.e., voluntarily change your flight after checking baggage on a different flight) from baggage on international flights. Therefore, if you miss the checked baggage cut-off, you will need to rebook on a future flight, and fare differences may apply.

Traveling on an itinerary involving a partner airline? Keep in mind that the partner airline may have different guidelines.