This article answers both, tier by tier, and checks Southwest's 2026 pricing against Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines. What's left is a four-tier structure, Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, and Choice Extra, that looks a lot like the legacy carriers Southwest used to undercut. Why Six In Ten Flyers Are Already Paying More Than "Basic"Credit: ShutterstockBasic is Southwest's floor fare, and it's built with real restrictions. Checked bags cost $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second on every fare except Choice Extra. The Real Price Difference Between Southwest's Four Fare TiersCredit: Southwest AirlinesThe jump from Basic to Choice is the smallest and most common one.