After a holiday, getting home with a bottle of wine can become an expected expense for the wanderer, especially when the airline charges extra for checked luggage. However, enjoying Texas Wine Country has become another reason to consider flying Southwest Airlines, as it has expanded a program that lets eligible passengers check a case of wine without paying an additional baggage fee.
On November 2, the airline added four Texas airports to its Sip and Ship program, giving passengers departing from Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio an advantage. This makes it easier for visitors to bring home wine they bought at local wine markets, including those in the famous Texas Hill Country region.
Earlier, the program covered nearly 20 airports across California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. According to CultureMap, the new airports that are added to the program are William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Dallas Love Field (DAL), and San Antonio International Airport (SAT).
Specific baggage requirements for Sip and Ship
While the program waives additional baggage charges for qualified individuals, passengers must still meet specific conditions to qualify. Eligible travelers can check up to 12 bottles in one case, with the package weighing no more than 50 pounds and measuring no more than 62 linear inches in combined length, width, and height.
The passenger must be at least 21 years old. Also, wine must be perfectly sealed and unopened, in the original manufacturer-labeled bottles, and properly packed in a cardboard wine case. The airline recommends that travelers add protective packaging, such as bubble wrap, to protect it from any breakage. They also sell padded wine bags at airports for $5 per bottle. Before loading the case, travelers must present the unsealed package for inspection, where staff check the packaging before sealing it for transport.
Wine cases do not count toward regular baggage limits
The wine case does not count toward the traveler’s regular checked-baggage limit. Passengers also don’t need a Southwest Rapid Rewards membership to use the program.
Moreover, passengers must check the state rules of their destination before carrying wine, as some states may limit how much alcohol visitors can bring. With four more Texas airports added to the program, travelers could bring home local wine without paying an extra fee for one case.
