Title: Southwest Airlines Stealthily Raises Early Boarding Fees, Outraging Customers
Southwest Airlines Early Boarding Fee Hike Sparks Customer Outcry
Southwest Airlines’ customers are up in arms after the company stealthily raised fees for passengers gunning to get on their flight earlier.
Southwest Airlines Raises Early Boarding Fees
Travelers will now have to hand over as much as $99 for the privilege of strapping in before other passengers.
Impact on Passengers: Paying More for Early Boarding
Southwest, unlike other carriers, does not assign seats on tickets – leaving those on the EarlyBird Check-In list first dibs on the most sought-after seats.
Seating System: First-Come, First-Serve Basis
Travelers will then line up at the gate and board the plane based on their groups.
Controversy: EarlyBird Price Point Increase
Thus, seats on the flight are dished out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Ancillary Service: EarlyBird Check-In
However, while Earlybird gives paying customers a bit of an edge, the airline doesn’t cap the add-on service on flights, so passengers may still end up with a less-than-desirable seat.
Pricing Strategy: Revenue Generation
The 300 per cent increase means that the early boarding price point will range from $15 to $99 one-way per passenger, rather than $15 to $25 before.
CEO Announcement: Bob Jordan’s Statement
“This price range increase is a result of our regular evaluation of pricing for ancillary products based on market trends and customer demand and will generate incremental revenue in support of the company,” the airline said.
Company Loss and Strategy
It comes after Southwest CEO Bob Jordan teased some changes in April during the airline’s quarterly earnings.
Impact on Group Travelers and Upgraded Boarding
Upgraded boarding has also seen a huge hike, with the service ranging from $30 to $149 per segment per traveler, up from a maximum of $80 previously.
Competitive Environment and Customer Feedback
Southwest, revered for its free checked baggage, is likely feeling the pressure to raise its ancillary fees as every major U.S. airline has raised its checked bag fees earlier in the year.
Public Reaction and Customer Sentiments
Displeased travelers, however, felt the dramatic price increase was simply too much.
“Brutal!” said one on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Absurd,” agreed another.