DALLAS- Southwest Airlines (WN) is notably recognized for its unique boarding process, where passengers do not have assigned seats beforehand.
However, following hints of potential changes mentioned during an earnings call in Q1 2024, it seems the airline has started implementing a new offering.
Southwest Boarding Process
Reports suggest that Southwest has increased fees for an “upgraded boarding” option, enabling passengers to select their seats in advance for a higher price. This option grants earlier boarding, increasing the chances of securing preferred seats by boarding the plane earlier.
The fees for the “Upgraded Boarding” option have been raised from $30 to $149 per ticket, compared to the previous maximum of $80.
Passengers opting for “Upgraded Boarding” are assigned seats in the A1 to A15 group, with the option to upgrade available only within 24 hours before the flight.
Additionally, the fee for “early bird check-in” has been increased, now ranging from $15 to $99, compared to the previous cap of $25. This option places passengers in an earlier boarding group, increasing their chances of securing a preferred seat.
Changes After Loss
In an interview with CNBC in April, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan mentioned potential changes following a challenging quarterly loss of nearly $231 million.
He stated, “We’re exploring new initiatives, such as modifications to our seating and boarding processes. Customer preferences evolve over time.”
Despite facing significant losses, Southwest managed to generate $6.3 billion in operating revenue during Q1, marking the highest Q1 operating revenue in the company’s history and reflecting a 10.9% year-over-year increase.
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