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Southwest Airlines has introduced several major policy shifts, impacting how travel photographers pack, budget, and book flights.
For the first time, Southwest now charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second, unless you qualify for certain fare classes or loyalty perks. Many photographers check a bag to carry gear onboard, but this will now add $35-$90 round trip to your travel costs. Consider earning A-List status, getting a Southwest credit card, or packing everything into a carry-on. In some cases, shipping gear via FedEx or UPS may be cheaper.
Starting in late 2025, Southwest will introduce assigned seating and premium seat options. While this offers predictability, it reduces flexibility for choosing ideal seats for aerial shots or gear storage. You might consider paying for early seat selection or opting for premium seats, especially on longer routes where you want to keep heavy or delicate carry-on gear close to you and have plenty of room for personal items and in-flight editing.
New overnight flights from cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles to the East Coast let you arrive early for golden-hour shoots without an extra night of lodging. It’s a cost-effective way to expand your shooting opportunities. Pack a travel pillow and be ready to shoot as cities wake up — great moments often happen during these quiet hours.
Southwest is replacing its “Wanna Get Away” fare with a new “Basic” tier that has less flexibility and a six-month expiration on credits. If your plans are weather-dependent or client-driven, consider upgrading. Track your flight credits and set reminders to avoid losing value.
New cabin upgrades will include USB-A/C ports and better Wi-Fi. These features are perfect for editing, backing up files, or uploading to the cloud. Bring a power bank with pass-through charging and use flight time to cull or tag images.
A small but important regulatory change affects portable chargers; chargers must now be stored visibly rather than in overhead bins or checked bags. Keep them in your personal item and label or organize them to ease security checks.
Looking further ahead, Southwest is entering international codeshares, starting with Icelandair, and offering vacation bundles through “Getaways by Southwest.” These deals could help combine personal travel with photography work.
While some changes may feel like a departure from what passengers have come to expect from Southwest, they create new opportunities for savvy travel photographers. Red-eyes increase flexibility and cabin upgrades support in-flight workflow.
With smart planning, you can still rely on Southwest for your photography adventures, Evaluate the true cost of each trip, take advantage of loyalty perks, and stay flexible with your packing. Most importantly, use these changes to refresh your workflow and gear strategy.
Have you adjusted your packing list or preferred airline due to these changes? Share your tips in the comments — and happy shooting!
