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In today’s world of air travel, every inch of luggage space counts, and packing hacks like the TikTok-famous carry-on pillow trick can seem like a dream come true. You might think you’re cleverly sneaking in extra clothes by stuffing a pillowcase, but if you’re flying with Southwest Airlines, you could run into trouble. The airline’s new carry-on policy, implemented in February 2024, now counts items like pillows and blankets as personal items. This means you’ll need to fit all your smaller belongings into your main carry-on bag or risk having to check additional luggage. While Southwest remains generous with its two free checked bags policy, being aware of these changes can save you from any last-minute surprises at the gate.

Why You Might Struggle To Pull Off The Sneaky Carry-On Pillow Hack On Southwest Airlines

Have you ever found yourself wondering if there’s a way to bring more stuff on your next flight without paying extra? If so, you might have come across the infamous carry-on pillow hack that’s taken TikTok by storm. It sounds almost too good to be true: put your clothes and soft belongings inside a pillowcase, and bring it aboard as a “pillow,” which many airlines don’t count toward your carry-on limit. A clever trick, right? Well, not if you’re flying Southwest Airlines. Here’s why you might struggle to pull off this sneaky hack on Southwest.

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The Origins Of The Carry-On Pillow Hack

The idea behind the carry-on pillow hack is simple and brilliant. You take a pillowcase and stuff it with clothes and other soft items, thus turning it into a makeshift pillow. This concept gained massive popularity after TikTok content creator @infloresco posted a video demonstrating the trick. The video went viral, gathering over 25 million views and 1.3 million likes. Why? Because, in theory, it’s a great way to sidestep carry-on fees and travel lighter.

The Appeal

Cost-Efficient: Saves you from potential carry-on fees.
Space Saver: Allows you to pack more than usual in your carry-on bag.
Convenient: You get to bring your comfy pillow along for the flight.

However, don’t hop on board this trend without knowing the specifics, especially if you’re planning to fly with Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines’ New Carry-On Policy

In February 2024, Southwest Airlines updated its carry-on policy, which now includes pillows, blankets, and other such items in its baggage allowance. This change has significant implications for travelers looking to use the carry-on pillow hack.

The Policy Breakdown

Personal Items:
Passengers are permitted one personal item, such as a purse, small camera, food container, or a pillow (excluding neck pillows that can be worn). Personal items should fit under the seat in front of you.

Carry-On Bag:
Each passenger is allowed one carry-on bag, which must fit in the overhead bin and adhere to size restrictions.

Type	Allowed	Examples	Restrictions
Personal Item	1 item	Purse, small camera, pillow, food container	Must fit under the seat
Carry-On Bag	1 bag	Suitcase, duffel bag	Must fit in overhead bin

Case In Point

TikToker @carissamonyce highlighted this change in April 2024, after a Southwest gate agent instructed her to consolidate her items when she tried to board with a throw blanket in addition to her carry-on and personal item. Clearly, Southwest has begun cracking down on any attempts to sidestep their baggage rules, including the pillow hack.

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Why The Pillow Hack Fails On Southwest

Stricter Rules

Southwest Airlines’ updated policy throws a wrench in the works for anyone hoping to use the pillow hack. Unlike some other airlines that might overlook a pillow disguise, Southwest is more vigilant. Pillows (except for neck pillows) are now considered personal items, meaning you’ll need to pack them in your carry-on or risk having to check a bag.

Limits On Personal Items

With Southwest’s new rules, using a pillowcase to bring extra items simply counts as one of your two allowed items (carry-on and personal item). Therefore, if you attempt to use the pillow hack, it leaves you unable to bring another small bag, purse, or other personal items without combining them into your carry-on luggage.

Attempting The Duty-Free Bag Hack

Another viral packing strategy involves using duty-free shopping bags to carry extra items. This trick relies on the fact that airport regulations typically allow duty-free purchases as an additional item. However, this might not slide on Southwest Airlines either.

How It Works

Get a Bag: Obtain a shopping bag from any duty-free store.
Fill The Bag: Stuff the bag with clothes, snacks, electronics, or anything else.
Board The Plane: Bring the bag along with your other carry-on items.

Does It Work On Southwest?

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Southwest Airlines is now counting duty-free shopping bags against your two-item limit. That means if you show up with a duty-free bag in addition to your carry-on and personal item, Southwest may require you to consolidate or check a bag.

What You Can Do Instead

While these hacks may not work out as planned, there are still plenty of ways to optimize your packing without breaking the rules or busting your budget.

Smart Packing Tips

Use Packing Cubes: These can help you organize and maximize the space in your carry-on.
Roll Your Clothes: Rolling instead of folding can save significant space.
Wear Your Bulky Items: If possible, wear heavier clothing items like jackets and boots to save space in your luggage.
Minimize Toiletries: Use travel-sized containers and be mindful of liquid restrictions.

Utilize Southwest’s Generous Baggage Policy

Southwest Airlines allows you to check two bags for free. This generous policy stands out compared to other airlines and can make a big difference if you need more luggage space. Taking full advantage of this can save you from having to use questionable hacks.

Real-Life Scenarios

Imagine you’ve packed for a weekend getaway and want to bring a carry-on and a pillow filled with clothes. According to the new Southwest rules, the pillow is considered a personal item, so you’d be left with your carry-on and no room for another small bag or purse unless it fits inside your carry-on.

Let’s say you’re tempted to use a duty-free bag to sneak in some extra items. You buy a perfume at the airport and decide to toss your snacks, a book, and some clothing into the duty-free bag to skirt the limits. When you try to board the flight, the gate agent counts your duty-free bag as an additional item, requiring you to either consolidate or check one of your bags.

Conclusion

The carry-on pillow hack and duty-free bag trick might seem like great ideas for dodging baggage restrictions, but they don’t hold water against Southwest Airlines’ updated policies. With Southwest counting pillows and duty-free bags toward your two-item limit, these hacks are less effective than you might hope. However, using smart packing strategies and taking advantage of Southwest’s free checked baggage options can help you travel more efficiently and cost-effectively.

By staying informed and planning accordingly, you can still enjoy a hassle-free travel experience without resorting to tactics that might not work out in the end. Happy travels!

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