What Southwest Airlines is changing, from bag fees to basic economy

Southwest Boeing 737 MAX lines are paid from the gate at San Diego International Airport in San Diego, August 24, 2024.
Kevin Carter Gety pictures
Southern West Airways I announced on Tuesday what could not be perceived: it would start Customer shipment To check their luggage.
It is a $ 300 million gamble. Last year, South West said that her “strict research” found that she would lose a lot in the market share if the bags began. Politics southwest have been distinguished from its competitors for decades.
Getting rid of its famous strategy, “Two Territory Bags”, is part of a Batch In the carrier to give up the long customer privileges and policies. The southwest announced last year that it moves from Open seats To one category for increasing revenues. Another change announced on Tuesday: the basic economy tickets that do not allow free changes.
Here are what travelers need to know about the new policies:
Who will pay the price of bags?
Travelers who buy any ticket with the exception of SouthWest STWEST devices will have to pay the fees to check the bags. Customers who buy a selected trade ticket will be able to check two bags for free.
The repeated passenger program members will also get the A Tople-List menu also have two free bags. The Applicant A members will be able to check for one bag for free, as well as those who have a southwest credit card.
How much will it cost to check the bag?
The southwest did not reveal the cost of checking a bag, but the fees start from $ 35 each on competitors Deltaand united and American.
When do new policies apply?
The new examined luggage fees enters into force to obtain tickets purchased in or after May 28.
Can I bring a load bag?
Portable bags policies have not changed, even for basic economy tickets.
All tickets will include a free portable bag, even for new basic economy tickets.
But not everyone brings a portable bag as well?
South West told the employees on Tuesday, immediately after the announcement, that customers “will undoubtedly continue to luggage more than before”, so it takes few steps to try to maintain things.
GATE agents will get portable bag printers “Reducing the need for the signs of the chain bag” and the company will design new evidence on the size of the size so that customers can know whether their luggage is commensurate with being carrying, according to the JUSTIN Jones Memorandum, EVP of Operation, Adam Decier, First Vice President for Network Planning, a copy of which was seen CNBC.
The airline also plans to accelerate its modernization modifications Boeing 737-800s and Max plane to include larger upper boxes.
Will the airport lines be longer?
maybe. In airport headphones, Southwest said it can redistribute employees to deal with changing customer needs using the new bag rules. It will also provide the employees there with mobile printers.
Executive officials wrote: “With an additional step for customers to pay the price of bags in the ticket office or kiosks, we have to plan for longer treatment times and waiting list, even if fewer customers are completely verified than their bags.”
Why is this happening?
The southwest is exposed to increasing pressure to increase revenues and improve revenues after the active hedge fund Elliot Investment Management He took a stake in the airline last year and paid for changes to the carrier’s business model.
Executive officials in the southwest have long told Wall Street investors and clients that “two bags fly free” policy are SACROSANCT, which distinguishes it from competitors.
One day in September, the carrier said it would make up about $ 1.5 billion if fees are imposed on bags, but they lose $ 1.8 billion in the market share of policy change.
What is happening?
a lot! Southwest will launch an unnecessary economic fee and do not allow changes. Preparing tickets will not be allowed on the same day.
Flight credits for these “basic” tickets will end, if they are not used, in six months, while credit for other flights will end in 12 months. Previously, the southwestern southern credit did not end.
The transportation company said last year that it plans to start selling tickets with custom seats, and to end its decades open policy. It will soon be provided with seats with additional legs space, which is an attempt to compete with more full -service airlines.
Bob Jordan, CEO of South West Airlines on Tuesday, said the carrier’s executive team believes that policy changes will lead to registration for the joint credit card.
He said that the new channels sold by the ticket airline, such as ExxpiaIt will help the carrier.
What happens with the miles of the traveler frequent?
Southern Western passengers will receive fast -miles rewards based on the amount they pay for their ticket. The redemption rates depend on the demand for the trip, a model similar to what other transport companies have.
https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/108039839-1727376283720-gettyimages-2167475763-san_diego_airplaines_ka_029.jpeg?v=1739887346&w=1920&h=1080
2025-03-11 17:31:00