Passengers check on February 18, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois, for Southwest Airlines Flight at Chicago Midway International Airport.
Scott Olson | Getty pictures
Set your alarm. Southwest Airlines Customers only have a day before the company begins to check bags for the first time in more than half a century.
From Wednesday, Southwest ends his ceiling “Two bags fly for free”.
It was an advantage that was equally sacrosan among customers and the long -standing managers of the airlines and distinguishes the airline from competitors. According to the federal data, the luggage fees brought almost 7.3 billion US dollars for US airlines last year, and the executives of Southwest, who have sworn for a long time to hold the policy, were under pressure to increase revenue.
The airline has not yet said how much it will calculate for checking the bags, but the competitors generally calculate about 35 or 40 US dollars for a first checked bags for domestic flights, although there are some exceptions.
Southwest started with the fee for checked bags and announced important changes to its business model last year, e.g. B. to remove open seats. The carrier also debut basic economic tickets such as those of sold by Delta air linesPresent American airlines And United airlines on Wednesday.
Here is what travelers should know about the end of free bags in the southwest:
What changes?
Southwest no longer offers two free check bags with many tickets bought on Wednesday. For tickets that were previously bought, a spokesman in the southwest said that the airline would honor the conditions of these tariffs like the two free opposing bags.
The fees apply to the base for the no-frills, it wants to go and it is at any time tariffs.
Southwest announced the Police in March after months of pressure by activist Elliott Investment Management, who was involved in the airline last year and won five seats. This was urged to make major changes in the company such as free checked bags, variable tickets and open seats.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes. Travelers with the first-class status in the Rapid Rewards loyalty program from Southwest receive two free check bags, as well as customers in the selection tariffs at the highest level.
Customers with a Southwest Airlines Co-Branded Card Card and their travel companions who were booked together with the same card are not charged for their first standard bag.
A-LIST A lot of flyer members, the second highest level in the loyalty program, will also check your first bag free of charge.
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New tariff: Basic
Southwest on Wednesday will also start selling tickets for basic economy.
With the new basic price, customers cannot make changes to their tickets. They will be among the last customers who go on board and their fare credits will expire in six months, compared to 12 months for other ticket courses.
In a further change, the airline ends that it wants to escape from the changes with the ticket of the lowest level.
What about assigned seats?
Southwest has been known for its open model for decades. Loyalists often check a day before their flight, hoping to achieve a cheap boarding slot.
But later this year Southwest will start selling tickets for flights for flights in 2026. Its aircraft with additional legroom seats, like many of his competitors who achieve higher prices.
Can south -west handle it?
Southwest managers have informed employees that they expect passengers to form more luggage (these guidelines for free carriers do not change) and said that the airline installs larger overhead containers on its Boeing Fleet that should help with an influx of hand luggage bags.
Managers have also announced that employees at goals and airport lobbies receive mobile BAG-Tag printer to support customers.
Are people crazy?
Southwest can hardly post on social media – even via babies and puppies on board – without getting angry comments on the changed luggage directive.
But CEO Bob Jordan announced CNBC last month that the announcement of the change in directives that the company made on March 11 did not stop customers.
“We didn't see a book duration that day or after this day,” he said on April 24 about “Squawk on the Street”.
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