Southwest Airlines ends "bags fly free" policy

DALLAS — Southwest Airlines has made a significant change to its baggage policy, ending its long-standing "bags fly free" plan. This shift, announced on March 11, aligns the airline more closely with its competitors. While this decision could affect customer loyalty, Southwest believes it must evolve to meet investor demands and improve profitability. The airline plans to implement several changes soon. These include limiting free checked bags to certain loyalty members and adding assigned seating. There are also plans for new fare structures and the introduction of longer-lasting flight credits. Southwest hopes these updates will enhance customer satisfaction and company revenue. Following pressure from activist investors and internal assessments, the changes were proposed as part of a larger strategy to revitalize the airline’s finances. However, experts caution that moving away from its unique offerings could alienate loyal customers. The airline's market share has already decreased, and some analysts worry that losing its distinctive features may hurt its long-term success. While Southwest’s CEO asserts that its core values and customer service will remain unchanged, critics argue that these new policies could compromise the airline's identity. With increased competition in the industry, maintaining a balance between attracting new customers and keeping existing ones will be a challenging task for the airline.