Southwest will continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List preferred members and customers traveling on Business Select fares, and one free checked bag to A-List members and other select customers. Passengers with Rapid Rewards credit cards will receive a credit for one checked bag.

Southwest Airlines is implementing a surprising new restriction on portable chargers to keep these notoriously incendiary devices from bursting into flame mid-flight. Starting May 28, passengers will be required to keep their power banks in plain sight, making the budget carrier the first to roll out a policy of this kind.

One new rule, however, isn’t likely to draw much anger and, in fact, is almost certainly going to be adopted by other airlines as well. The new rule goes into effect May 28, 2025, and while it may cause minor inconvenience to passengers, it’s also an important change that will make flying a little bit safer.

Southwest Airlines mandates visible portable chargers during flights to enhance safety, addressing risks of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries.

In this week's air travel news, the "old" Southwest Airlines is slated to come to an end next week as the carrier kicks off a new policy that will make flying more expensive for many of its customers;