Southwest Airlines Community

It seems the guidance on this has been updated. The weight requirement remains but the 62 inches in total size no longer results in excess size charges.   https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/What-sports-equipment-can-I-bring?clk=HC_Bags_1301_AcceptedSportsEquip   If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight, excess weight charges will apply. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess size charges will not apply.   ... View more

From Southwest website 12/15/23 Any of the items listed below may be checked in substitution of one piece of the free checked baggage allowance for you at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight, excess weight charges will apply. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess size charges will NOT apply. Golf equipment. A hard, plastic travel case for the golf bag provided by the Passenger, including clubs, balls, and shoes.   Location on Southwest website: Help Center Checked Baggage Special baggage and sports equipment Sports equipment                              What Sport Equipment Can I Bring Any of the items listed below may be checked in substitution of one piece of the free checked baggage allowance for you at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight or 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess weight and size charges will apply. In addition to the items specifically described below, we also accept fragile items; previously damaged items; improperly or overpacked baggage; items packed in soft-sided cases; and unprotected/unpacked items only with a limited release of liability. Customers are not entitled to reimbursement or compensation for any and all damage in situations where a limited release of liability applies.   Archery equipment. Archery equipment, including a bow, arrows, and an average size target (large target stands cannot be accepted), so long as the bow and arrows are in a container capable of withstanding normal baggage handling without sustaining damage to the equipment and acceptable to Southwest. Average-size targets will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Baseball and softball equipment. Baseball and softball equipment, including one bag generally consisting of four bats, one helmet, one pair of cleats, one uniform, one glove, and one pair of batting gloves. A catcher may have additional equipment. Baseball and softball equipment will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Bicycles. Bicycles (defined as non-motorized and having a single seat), including Bike Friday and Co-Pilot, properly packed in a hard bicycle box that fall within the dimensions and weight limits established for normal checked baggage, (i.e., 62 inches or less in overall dimensions and less than 50 pounds in weight). Pedals and handlebars must be removed and packaged in protective materials so as not to be damaged by or cause damage to other baggage. Bicycles packaged in cardboard or soft-sided cases will be transported only with a limited release of liability. Customers are not entitled to reimbursement or compensation for damage in situations where a limited release of liability applies. See Specialized sports equipment below for information regarding bicycles that exceed our checked baggage size/weight limits.   Bowling equipment. A bowling bag with a metal frame specifically designed for transporting bowling balls. The bag may contain ball(s) and shoes. Bowling equipment not packed in a bag designed for transporting bowling balls will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Fishing tackle box and fishing rod. Fishing rods must be encased in a sturdy, cylindrical fishing rod container. This container must withstand normal checked baggage handling without sustaining damage to the rod. Oversize charges only apply if the fishing rod container is over 91 inches in length and/or more than three inches in diameter. A fishing tackle box must be a suitable, sturdy, and securely closed container. When substituting a fishing rod and/or fishing tackle box for a free checked bag, we allow one fishing rod container and one tackle box to count as one checked item, even if they are packed and tagged separately. This one item can be a substitute for one checked bag.   Parachutes. Parachutes are allowed in checked or carryon baggage but may not be worn in flight.   SCUBA equipment. SCUBA equipment—provided air tanks are empty of compressed air—and all accompanying equipment (e.g., BCD, weight belt, one regulator, one tank harness, one tank pressure gauge, one mask, two fins, one snorkel, one knife, and one safety vest)packed together in a suitable, sturdy container. Compressed air cylinders will be transported only with a limited release of liability. SCUBA equipment packed in plastic bags will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Skateboards and scooters (non-motorized only). Only manual or non-electric/non-motorized skateboards and scooters are accepted. If the skateboard fits under the seat, it does not need to be in a bag or covered, but it does have to be stowed with the wheels up so it doesn't roll. If stowed in an overhead bin, a skateboard must be stowed with the wheels up. We recommend that skateboards and scooters be in a bag or have the wheels covered (a plastic bag is acceptable) so as not to damage other articles. Skateboards and scooters will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Tennis equipment. One bag containing a tennis racquet(s) and balls. Tennis equipment not encased in a suitable, sturdy container will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Any of the items listed below may be checked in substitution of one piece of the free checked baggage allowance for you at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight, excess weight charges will apply. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess size charges will not apply.   Boogie boards, kneeboards, boards, or waterboards. We recommend that boogie boards, kneeboards, wakeboards, and waterboards be in a bag (a plastic bag is acceptable) to keep them from being scratched and from damaging other articles. Boogie boards, kneeboards, wakeboards, and waterboards will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Fencing equipment. Foils are allowed in checked baggage only. Fencing equipment packaged in soft-sided cases will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Golf equipment. A hard, plastic travel case for the golf bag provided by the Passenger, including clubs, balls, and shoes. Hooded golf bags or golf bags in a soft-sided carrying case provided by the Passenger will be transported only with a limited release of liability. Hockey and/or lacrosse equipment.   Two hockey and/or lacrosse stick(s) are allowed if multiple sticks are either taped together or packed in a suitable bag or container. We also allow two hockey sticks and/or lacrosse sticks taped together and one hockey or lacrosse equipment bag generally consisting of pads, helmets, pants, a jersey, gloves, and skates/cleats. When substituting hockey and/or lacrosse equipment for a free checked bag, we allow up to two bags (containing hockey sticks and/or lacrosse sticks and one hockey or lacrosse equipment bag) to count as one item, even if taped or packed separately.  Hockey and lacrosse equipment will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Snow ski equipment. Snow ski equipment, including skis or snowboards, ski boots, and ski poles are allowed, including one pair of skis or one snowboard, one set of poles, and one pair of ski/snowboard boots packed in a container(s) acceptable to Carrier. When substituting ski equipment for a free bag, we allow up to two bags (containing one set of snow skis, ski poles, and ski boots) to count as one item, even if they are packed and tagged separately. Snow ski equipment packed in a plastic bag will be transported only with a limited release of liability.   Water ski equipment. Water ski equipment should be packed in a hard, plastic case or standard equipment case and include no more than one pair of water skis and one life preserver or vest. Water ski equipment packed in a plastic bag will be transported only with a limited release of liability.     ... View more

78 inches = 6 feet 5inches never seen a golf transport bag/case this size? ... View more

I was just charged $125 for golf clubs in a hard case. The counter person measured height + width + length. ~78" I have been traveling with same case since the 80's and have never been charged. Always keep it under 50lbs. I'll start driving if this is case ... View more