Ready for my vacay
Posted on 03/11/2025 7:07:27 PM PDT by matt04
Southwest Airlines will no longer allow bags to fly free. The airline announced Tuesday it will begin charging some customers who check luggage in May.
The airline will continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members, as well as passengers flying on Business Select fares. One free checked bag will be allowed for A-List Members, while one checked bag will be credited for Rapid Rewards Credit Card members.
All other customers who do not qualify for the free bag options will be charged beginning May 28. The airline did not specify how much it will cost to check a bag.
...
The changes “create new opportunities to reach customers who value fare above everything else,” the airlines said in a press release Tuesday.
“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our shareholders expect,” Southwest President and CEO Bob Jordan said in the press release.
(Excerpt) Read more at kxan.com ...
So take away long standing benefits and charge for seat selection, checked bags, shrink legroom and still offer an all economy style seating is somehow supposed to attract new customers?
Southwest Airlines died when the vultures took over. Only question now is how many years to banruptcy.
FACT CHECK: FALSE
No, they are doing all they can to milk consumers for every penny they can get. And since all the other carriers dropped "free" luggage some time ago... and are making significant extra revenue from using the somewhat lighter cargo hold for packages/parcels... along with the extra funds from the baggage fees.
It would seem to me, if they offer free baggage, then you might be more inclined to take them.
“Southwest Airlines died when the vultures took over. Only question now is how many years to banruptcy.”
Dow down 480 today.
LUV up 8.4%.
“No, they are doing all they can to milk consumers for every penny they can get. And since all the other carriers dropped “free” luggage some time ago... “
Since SW was the last then they are not doing all they can to milk consumers.
Well - actually, they are... they gained some customers by being the last... now they are going to rake them over the coals.
They must be one of the last airlines to do that. My son flew United overseas last September and they were already charging for checked bags.
Article: Southwest Airlines will no longer allow bags to fly free.
Bags never flew free. It was factored into the ticket.
The dude with just a carry-on was subsidizing the dude with a 100 pounds of checked luggage.
“now they are going to rake them over the coals.”
No. They have to have similar policies so ticket price comparisons are not skewed on searches.
See my #10.
Glad that hedge fund took over SWA. Assigned seats and baggage fees. Wonder what is next.
This is really a stupid move on their part. Now there is nothing to distinguish them from any of the other airlines.
It’s all on the plane. How is subsidizing.
It’s worse. You have to fight for your seat because it is not reserved.
Ghost of Herb Kelleher - is that you?
And now, I'm not shoving my little backpack under my seat so you can shove your giant rolling carry-on in the overhead compartment. Should've checked that thing! FITFO!
Exactly. When I traveled, I always looked at SWA first. If my plans changed, I could change change my flight for only the difference, I never had a issue finding a spot for my carry on as people checked their larger luggage, boarding and deplaning was much easier as well with less luggage in the cabin.
The only “fees” were if you wanted to use the internet but they still offered free texting and TV and movies.
Now they are no different from any other airline and honestly in some wired middle area. They will nickel and dime you like Spirit and Frontier or Delta and United but charge higher fairs with none of the amenities like on the big 3.
In fall 2024 they said no bag fees. Now look at were they are. I’m willing to bet they will either end free snacks/drinks or charge for carry on luggage on the basic fare like Spirit, etc. in time.
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