The LUV airline will start operating a lot like other carriers next week, with checked bag fees and a new fare type with limitations. Why it matters: Southwest has prided itself on its "bags fly free" policy,

Southwest Airlines will soon start charging fees for checked baggage. Here's the deadline to buy a ticket that includes free checked bags.

DALLAS — Southwest Airlines is counting down the final days of its universal free checked bags policy, giving travelers less than a week to book flights under the airline's longstanding baggage policy that allowed passengers two free checked bags with every ticket.