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There have been a lot of changes and shakeups with Southwest Airlines these days, and the newest one is one of the most shocking yet. For the first time in their 50+ year-run, Southwest is going to start charging for checked bags.
"Bags fly free," Southwest has famously touted for years. This is one of the key reasons that so many people have remained loyal to Southwest for so many years. With this new introduction of fees, loyalists are absolutely going to be angry.
According to Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan, "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."
In my opinion, a rough translation for this reads: "We need to make more money or mommy and daddy will be mad at us."
If you're flying Southwest in the next few months, enjoy those free bags while they last. Beginning May 28, you must pay for your first and second checked bags.
Southwest will continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and customers traveling on Business Select fares. A-List Members and other select customers, including those with the airline's credit card can check one bag for free.
Southwest hasn't revealed how much bags will cost, but they'd be smart to keep it at a nominal fee. People are already upset; don't poke the bears, Southwest.
The other big change to come from Southwest recently is even more shocking: Assigned seating has arrived. Unlike the bag situation, this is actually bound to make people happy. It's a new era of Southwest.