As the busy summer travel season gets underway, so does Southwest's new checked bag policy. On all new bookings, the first checked bag will cost $35 and the second will be $45. CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave has more.

Southwest Airlines has changed its checked baggage policy, ending its previous offer of two free checked bags for all passengers on new bookings. Under the new policy, the first checked bag will cost $35 and the second $45. Exceptions remain for Business Select and Choice Extra fares, which include two checked bags, as well as for A-List preferred frequent flyers, A-List members, and Southwest credit card holders, who receive at least one checked bag free. 

The change applies only to new bookings, with existing reservations retaining the previous free bag allowance. The move follows pressure from an activist investor and is part of broader changes at the airline, including the introduction of fare bundles and plans for assigned seating with extra legroom. Other airlines, such as United, are also adjusting policies, with United requiring earlier check-in for flights and checked bags.

How much checked bags will now cost on Southwest

The friendly skies keep getting less friendly to travelers. Southwest Airlines was the last major U.S. carrier that did not hit flyers with a fee to check up to two bags. But that changed this morning for new bookings. And it means the cost to fly one of the nation's largest airlines just went up. Chris Van Cleve is at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, which is a hub for Southwest. Chris looking very snazzy. Good morning. Good morning. You know, the airlines make a lot of money off checked bag fees, $7.2 billion last year. And that number is going to go up in part because the bags fly free era at Southwest Airlines has ended, which means for people that are booking flights today, when they show up at the airport, it may come with an extra cost. At Southwest, starting today, checked bags may now fly with a fee, something flyer Brenda Perdue is not happy about. I don't think I'll be flying Southwest after this. I don't. That's the reason we flew Southwest. On all new bookings, the first check bag will cost $35, the second $45. But there are some exceptions. Business Select and Choice Extra Fares come with two checked bags. A perk A-List preferred frequent flyers also get. A-List members and Southwest credit card holders get one checked bag without a fee. Previously, all flyers got two free checked bags. Something CEO Bob Jordan praised as recently as last September. Will bags still fly free? Bags will still fly free. Yes. It's the third thing the customers look for after fare and schedule is bags fly free on us. Ninety seven percent of people are aware of our policy. So it's a huge consumer advantage. So as long as you're at Southwest, that's not going to change. Well, never say never. But an activist investor pushed for change in an effort to bolster profits. Southwest has rolled out new fare bundles and next year will drop its open boarding for assigned seating in a new cabin, offering extra legroom and preferred seats for an added cost. Well, I think this is going to backfire. Airline industry analyst Henry Hartevelt. I think Southwest is going to see a meaningful portion of its customers defect to other carriers that may offer better schedules, better on time performance, perhaps better pricing or better frequent flyer programs. Now, if you've already booked your flight for travel even months from now, your bags will still fly free. This is for new bookings moving forward. You will pay when you come to the check in area here at the airport. So Southwest is expecting that process to take a little bit longer, particularly as this fee ramps up flat. Chris, you got a little fan behind you there, but please let him wave at the camera. He's waving at the camera right behind you. But Chris, let me just ask you, United Airlines is making a change that flyers need to know about as well, or they could miss their flight. What is changing? Yeah, so right now you could check in for your United flight 30 minutes beforehand. Now they're shifting that to 45 minutes before departure starting June 3rd. That's the same time, the same deadline for checking a bag. And that's more or less what the other U.S. Airlines require as well. But basically, you need to check in for your flight 15 minutes earlier on United than you have been. If you miss that 45 minute window, you may not be able to get on your flight. OK, important information, and I'll never be upset at little kids waving at us when we're on the air. Adults know better, right? Little kids. I like it. They get a pass. Yeah, they get a pass. Chris, thank you very much, my friend.

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