Southwest officials in the release said the changes are “aimed to deepen and reward loyalty between Southwest and its most engaged Customers.”
DALLAS — Starting soon, bags won’t fly free for everyone on Southwest Airlines.
Southwest Airlines, known for its free bag policy, will begin charging passengers for their first and second checked bags starting on May 28. This new policy was announced in a press release on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and those traveling in business select will still be able to check two bags for free, according to Southwest officials. A-list members will receive a single complimentary checked bag, while Rapid Rewards Credit Card holders will be credited for one checked bag.
The airline explained in the press release that these adjustments are intended to strengthen and show appreciation to the bond between Southwest and its most loyal customers. The cost of each checked bag under this new policy has not been disclosed yet.
“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,” Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said in the release. “We will do all this while remaining focused on what’s made us strong—our people and the authentic, friendly, and award-winning customer service only they can provide.”
Southwest is also rolling out a few other changes, including offering a “Basic” fare option and making flights available to book through Expedia, the latter of which began last month, officials said. Southwest has also rolled out redeye flights — which began in February.
However, the biggest change on the horizon for Southwest will be the airline’s new assigned seating options, a major departure from Southwest’s long-standing open seating policy. The company hasn’t announced a specific date for when assigned seating will begin.
The changes in Southwest policy come at a tumultuous time for the company.
In February, Southwest announced mass layoffs for the first time in its 53-year history. The company announced it would lay off 1,750 employees at its Dallas headquarters, around 15% of all corporate positions. Among those 1,750 employees, 11 senior leadership positions were eliminated as a result of “restructuring.”
The layoffs and changes to flight policies have happened amid a recent board shakeup at Southwest, driven by the carrier’s board activist investor Elliott Management, which began ramping up its involvement with the company last summer.
