Wine Flies Free: Southwest Waives Bag Fees for Wine Cases out of Santa Rosa

Southwest Airlines is celebrating its new service from California’s wine country by picking up the cost of bringing back a case of the area’s best souvenir.

The program, which Southwest is calling Sip and Ship, allows travelers flying from Santa Rosa’s Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) to bring a case of wine home at no additional cost.

To qualify, the wine must be in its original, unopened container and professionally packaged in a leak-proof bag within a standard shipping box or specialized wine suitcase. A “case” is defined by Southwest as up to 12 bottles weighing no more than 50 pounds and meeting the standard 62-inch checked-bag limit. The container must remain unsealed until it is inspected by a Southwest crew member at the airport ticket counter.

As long as those criteria are met, passengers flying nonstop from Santa Rosa, where Southwest started service on Tuesday, to San Diego (SAN), Las Vegas (LAS), and Burbank (BUR) can check the case without paying any additional fees.

Since May 2025, Southwest has charged for checked luggage, with current fees reaching $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second. However, travelers can still avoid these charges by opting for a Choice Extra fare, earning A-List membership, or becoming a Rapid Rewards credit cardholder, or, now, by flying with a case of wine.