Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max was pushed from the door at the San Diego International Airport in San Diego, August 24, 2024.
Kevin Carter | Getty Images
Southwest Airlines announced on Tuesday what was once unthinkable: it will start Charging customers check their luggage.
It’s a $ 300 million gambling. Last year, Southwest said his “rigorous research” revealed that he would lose so much in a market share if he began to charge for bag fees. For decades, politics has singled out southwest from its competitors.
The release of his famous “Two Bags Flying” strategy is part of a massive push for a carrier who will be ejected by his longtime customers and customer rules. The southwest also announced last year that he is moving from opening seats to a single -class cabin to increase income. Another change was announced on Tuesday: tickets for basic economics that do not allow free changes.
Here’s what passengers need to know about new rules:
Who will pay the bags?
Passengers who buy any ticket, except that the highest job with the highest level of southwest will be selected, will have to pay for the bag check fees. Customers buying a business card will be able to check two bags for free.
Members of the frequent A-List A-List, members of the frequent leaflet program, will also receive two checked bags for free. Members of the A-List level will be able to check one bag for free, as well as those with a credit card in the southwest.
How much will the bag check?
Southwest did not reveal how much to cost the bag, but fees start at $ 35 per competition Delta,, United and American.
When do new policies come into force?
New checked luggage fees enter into force for tickets purchased on May 28.
Can I still bring a handbag?
The handbag policies have not changed, even for tickets for basic economies.
All tickets will include a free wear bag, even for new tickets for the basic economy.
But will not everyone else bring the bag?
Southwest told employees Tuesday, just after the announcement, that customers would “undoubtedly carry more luggage than before”, so it takes a few steps to try to move things.
Gate agents will receive mobile printers to mark the bag “reducing the need for strings for string bags”, and the company will design new size guides so that customers can see if their luggage will be teaching, according to the Sustin Jones staff, EVP Operations, and Adam Decaire, Senior Vice President of the Network Planning.
Airline also plans to accelerate the remodeling of its Boeing 737-800S and maximum aircraft that include larger overhead bins.
Will there be an longer airport line?
Perhaps. In the airport lobby, Southwest said it could redistribute staff to resolve changes in customers’ needs with new bag rules. They will also equip staff there mobile printers.
“With additional step that customers pay bags on the counter or newsstands, we need to plan for a long time transaction and order, even if fewer customers fully check their bags,” the managers wrote.
Why is this happening?
The southwest was under increasing pressure to increase revenue and improvement of yield after activist hedge fund Elliott investment management Last year, he took a share of airline and asked for changes in the carrier’s business model.
The southwestern executives have long told investors and customers on Wall Street that his policy is “two bags flying free” of Sakropes, something that allocates him from the competitors.
On the day of the investor in September, the carrier said he would be up to about $ 1.5 billion if he was charged for bags, but lost $ 1.8 billion in market share of policy.
What else is happening?
A lot! The southwest will launch a basic economy that does not return and does not allow change. Will not allow tickets to the preparation at the same time.
For these “basic” flying cards, if not used, they expire in six months, while the loans for other flights will expire in 12 months. Before that, the southwestern loans did not expire.
Last year, the carrier said that he plans to start selling tickets with assigned seats, ending his decade’s old open heading policy. They will also offer places with additional leg space, an offer to compete with several full -service airline companies.
Executive Director Southwest Airlines Bob Jordan said on Tuesday that the executive team of carriers believes that the policy changes will start a application for his credit card.
Said new airline channels sell tickets, like Luxurywill help the carrier.
What happens to the frequent miles of leaflets?
The southwestern passengers will earn fast prizes on miles on the basis of how much they pay for their ticket. Redemption rates will depend on the demand for flight, a similar model as other carriers.
