Wheelchair in a suitcase

[tubtruck]

My wife needs a wheelchair for long walks but can manage through an airport. She has a wheelchair that neatly fits into a large suitcase. Would she be able to bring this in the suitcase to the airport and check it for free ?

[05bardic]

Southwest allows one free carry on and two free checked bags per passenger, so as long as it's not oversized or overweight, and she doesn't already have two other bags she plans to check then it wouldn't be an issue. 

Checked bags:

• Up to 50 pounds each
• 62 inches in size (length + width + height)

[05bardic]

In case she plans to already check two other bags, I should add that a wheelchair does not count toward the baggage limit on any airline, so long as there are no other personal items in the bag. If you also have other belongings in the bag with the wheelchair, the airline can count that bag toward your checked items.