Southwest Airlines operates flights to 41 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, making it an important player in the United States airline industry. In 2011, the company carried 104 million passengers. Although some of the regulations governing what passengers can bring onto a plane are internationally recognized, other aspects are decided by individual companies. Southwest Airlines
allow each passenger one piece of carry-on luggage, along with one personal item such as a purse, laptop or briefcase. Your carry-on luggage must conform to the company’s size restrictions, measuring no more than 24 by 16 by 10 inches; any bigger and you’ll have to check it. You can also bring certain items with you into the airplane cabin on Southwest Airlines flights. This includes your outer clothing, walking canes and umbrellas and any
food you intend to eat on the flight, as long as it’s in disposable packaging. Mobility devices to help disabled passengers move around are also permitted. Parents traveling with infants and small children can bring a child-restraint device in addition to their luggage allowance, but bear in mind that you’re only guaranteed a seat for your child's device if you’ve bought a ticket in the child's name. Southwest Airlines operates under the
same regulations on liquids and gels in the cabin as all other airlines. Avoid any problems at airport security screening by observing the Transportation Security Administration’s 3-1-1 rule. This means not bringing any liquid or gel-filled containers larger than 3.4 ounces, and placing all your containers in a single clear, quart-sized plastic bag. The rules permit each passenger to carry one bag. It’s still possible to bring larger containers with you by packing them in your checked baggage.Baggage
Additional Items
Liquids and Gels
Restrictions
Southwest adhere to international regulations on the items permitted in carry-on luggage. Don’t attempt to bring anything sharp, like knives, meat cleavers or box cutters, onto the plane, as security staff will confiscate them. Many sporting items, including ski poles, lacrosse sticks and golf clubs, must also travel in the hold. Most guns and other firearms must go into your checked baggage, but leave out both flares and any type of gunpowder, as they are prohibited in carry-ons and checked luggage.
References
- Southwest Airlines: Fact Sheet
- Southwest Airlines: Carryon Baggage
- Transportation Security Administration: Make Your Trip Better With 3-1-1
- Transportation Security Administration: Prohibited Items
About the Author
Rita Kennedy is a writer and researcher based in the United Kingdom. She began writing in 2002 and her work has appeared in several academic journals including "Memory Studies," the "Journal of Historical Geography" and the "Local Historian." She holds a Ph.D. in history and an honours degree in geography from the University of Ulster.
Photo Credits
- Scott Olson/Getty Images News/Getty Images
Most of the rules governing carry-ons are made by TSA, and apply to passengers on all airlines. These rules include restrictions on large and potentially dangerous items, liquids and gels. Southwest Airlines also limits carry-ons to one bag and one small personal item per passenger, with a few exceptions. Each passenger on Southwest Airlines (southwest.com) is permitted one regular
carry-on bag and one small personal item. This item can be a camera, laptop, purse, briefcase, or food. Pet carriers can count as either a carry-on or personal item. The dimensions of each item must be no more than 10 by 16 by 24 inches so that it can be stowed under the seat or in the overhead compartment during the flight. Several other types of item can be brought onto the plane by passengers, and are not counted as carry-ons or personal
items. These include one stroller and one car seat per child, which can be checked at the gate for free. The car seat may also be used during the flight if the child has a ticket, or if there is an extra seat available. Coats and other wearable items, umbrellas, canes and other mobility devices for passengers with disabilities are also unrestricted. Sharp, heavy, and other dangerous items are restricted on all commercial airline flights,
including Southwest. Items such as sharp knives, bats, clubs, ski-poles, snow globes and most tools and weapons must be checked rather than packed in a carry-on. Explosives and fuels may not be carried by air at all. Passengers may carry regular lighters or one book of safety matches per person in a carry-on.Types of Baggage
Other Items
Dangerous Items
Gels and Liquids
Gels and liquids, including food, are subject to special restrictions. Each passenger may carry one clear zip-top bag packed with liquid and gel containers of 3.4 ounces or less. Medically necessary liquids including medicines, and limited amounts of baby food and breast milk or formula for those traveling with babies, are not subject to size restrictions.
References
- Southwest.com: Carryon Baggage
- Transportation Security Administration: Prohibited Items
- Transportation Security Administration: Traveling With Food or Gifts
About the Author
Laura Gee has a B.A. in history and anthropology, but now spends more time blogging and producing web content. She has worked and/or trained as an illustrator, crafter, caterer, yoga teacher, child-care provider and massage therapist, and she loves to travel when she gets a chance.
Photo Credits
- Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images