May 27 (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines ( LUV ) on Tuesday

said it will charge customers $35 for one checked bag and $45

for the second, bringing an end to the airline's free luggage

policy.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on Tuesday.

Southwest ( LUV ) was the only major U.S. carrier that allowed

customers to check two bags at no cost.

The Dallas-based airline had said earlier in March that it

would end its "bags fly free" policy by charging some customers,

as the company's lackluster earnings have fueled pressure to

revamp its business model.