Southwest Airlines is letting some flight passengers check a free case of wine

One of America’s largest airlines is adding a new advantage to wine lovers.

On April 7, Southwest Airlines announced it was launching a new program called “Sip and Ship” that allows customers to check out a case of wine for free.

This privilege is available at select locations on the West Coast and was announced as Southwest launches service in Santa Rosa, California, in the heart of Sonoma wine country.

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Starting April 24, this privilege allows passengers aged 21 and over to pick up up to 12 bottles in a properly packaged wine box without liability for damages, subject to standard baggage limits and route restrictions.

The company stated that wine cases “must be placed in a standard wine shipping box or wine bag that meets checked bag requirements.”

According to the airline, the program is only available to customers flying to and from certain parts of the West Coast, including Santa Rosa.

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Southwest customers can fly directly to Santa Rosa from Las Vegas, Denver, San Diego and Burbank.

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Andrew Watterson, Southwest’s chief operating officer, said in a statement that the airline is “thrilled to open the door to more of California’s incredible destinations.”

Under Southwest’s new policy, customers flying between certain cities will now be able to more easily carry wine home. (iStock)

“[E]specially [to] The authority added our 14th airport to our already industry-best intra-California service and added the spectacular wine region of Sonoma County.

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“By adding service to the Sonoma County Airport and launching Sip and Ship, we are offering our customers greater convenience and the opportunity to continue sipping and enjoying their time in wine country.”

One travel expert said this benefit eliminates a common point of friction for visitors exploring wine destinations. (iStock)

Amy West, a Florida-based travel expert, said the new deal is “a smart, experience-focused benefit that shows how people actually travel today.”

West told Fox News Digital that travelers are increasingly looking for food and wine experiences, and Southwest “meets them at that exact moment of discovery.”

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“Being able to bring home a case of wine at no additional cost eliminates a common point of friction and makes the trip more rewarding,” West said.

“This also signals a broader shift where airlines are looking beyond just the seat and focusing on improving the overall travel experience.”

The airline’s Santa Rosa service connects passengers directly to Sonoma County, a major hub for wine tourism. (George Rose/Getty Images)

Overall, West said the proposal “adds tangible value without increasing fees while encouraging more intentional travel tied to specific destinations, particularly wine regions.”

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Southwest for additional comment.