Southwest Airlines is making major changes to its baggage policy, marking a departure from its long-standing tradition of offering two free checked bags to all passengers. Starting May 28,

The budget airline also strips other benefits for those paying the lowest fares. How to avoid checked bag fees.

Southwest Airlines will begin charging customers a fee to check bags. It's a significant change for the budget carrier, which built years of advertising campaigns around its policy of letting passengers check up to two bags for free.