Southwest Airlines Announcement Sparks Outrage
Southwest Airlines made a rather significant announcement this week as the airline charts its path forward after ending its longstanding policies of open seating and free checked bags. But that announcement did not exactly go over well with its customers.
The airline announced the decision to ditch open seating and free checked baggage last month, in an attempt to modernize and boost profits. To help replace the previous longstanding policies, the airline announced four new fare bundles — Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, Choice, and Basic, in descending order of price.
After previously offering all passengers to check two bags at no charge, now only the "Choice Extra" bundle — the priciest of the available options — offers two checked bags. This top-tier package also comes with added benefits like extra legroom seats, early boarding, and in-flight internet access.
Beyond eliminating complimentary checked bags, Southwest is also scrapping its long-standing open seating policy. Moving forward, travelers will need to pay to choose their seats.
The "Choice Preferred" bundle offers customers preferred seating and early general boarding, while "Choice" customers will choose from standard seats upon booking, Meanwhile, those who opt for the "Basic" bundle will simply be assigned seats at check-in – a drastic change from the airline's decades of history allowing everyone to choose their own seats.
Needless to say, customers were not thrilled as the announcement did not exactly go over well on social media. Customers quickly flooded the airline's Instagram account with comments expressing their displeasure.
"I'd rather have my two free checked bags and open seating," one person wrote in the comments on Instagram.
'None of us asked for this,' someone else commented regarding the announcement.
"Open seating and two checked bags included is all we want. Southwest was perfect as-is. Honestly was my favorite airline and my #1 choice when flying," another commenter wrote.
"I see your stock took a hit. There's more where that came from," someone else added.
"Where's the inflight entertainment? Where are my 2 free bags? Feels like I'm just getting up-charged. I can fly on the legacy airlines for the same price and at least get in seat entertainment and not have to waste my phone's battery," another commenter said.
We'll have to see how long this backlash lasts.
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