You can now fly with wine for free from 14 California airports. How it works
Going wine tasting in California?
A new program allows travelers across the Golden State to fly with wine for free.
Southwest Airlines recently launched its new Sip and Ship program for passengers departing from airports in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state.
“You can bring home a case of wine from your favorite wine country destinations for free,” the airline said, saving passengers $45 per person in checked bag fees.
Here’s what to know:
What is Southwest Airlines’ new Sip and Ship program?
Southwest Airlines said it introduced its new Sip and Ship program to celebrate its recent “wine country expansion.”
The airline began service at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa on April 7.
By launching the service, “We’re offering our customers even more convenience and an opportunity to continuing sipping and savoring their time in wine country,” Andrew Watterson, chief operating officer at Southwest Airlines, said in an April 7 news release.
“Each customer can check one case of wine at no additional charge,” Southwest said in the release.
How can I fly with wine for no cost?
To participate in Southwest Airlines’ Sip and Ship program, travelers must be 21 or older, the legal age to purchase alcohol in the United States.
They must also be departing from a participating airport in California, Idaho, Oregon or Washington state, and traveling within the United States.
You can bring one “properly packaged case of wine” — up to 12 bottles — to the ticket counter and check it free of charge, the airline said.
The case should weigh 50 pounds or less, and falling within Southwest’s standard bag size limit of 62 inches or less.
In addition, your wine must be in original, unopened containers and packed in a leak-proof bag with “adequate professional packaging” to prevent breakage, the airline said.
“Wine must be checked with a Southwest customer service agent at the ticket counter,” Southwest said in the release, adding that you shouldn’t seal your shipping container before it can be inspected by customs.
Which California airports offer free shipping for wine?
According to Southwest Airlines, the Sip and Ship program is available at airports in a total of 14 California cities.
In addition to Sacramento International Airport, participating airports in Northern California include San Francisco International Airport, San Jose Mineta International Airport and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.
In Central California, you can fly with wine for free from Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Santa Barbara Airport.
Further south, options for travelers seeking no-cost baggage checks include Los Angeles International Airport and San Diego International Airport.
In the Pacific Northwest, participating airports include Boise Airport, Portland International Airport in Oregon and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington state.
For a full list of participating locations, go to southwest.com/sip-and-ship.
Do I have to pay to check wine on Alaska Airlines flights?
At least one other airline serving California airports offers free wine shipping for select passengers.
Members of Alaskan Airlines’ Atmos Rewards loyalty program are eligible for the Wine Flies Free program, available at a total of 32 destinations across the West.
That includes 16 airports in California.
Atmos Rewards members can pack up to 12 bottles in a box or case weighing 50 pounds or less.
In California, participating airports include those in Sacramento, Fresno, Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.
This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 8:10 AM with the headline "You can now fly with wine for free from 14 California airports. How it works."
