Southwest is Making New Changes to Its Boarding Process

0
133
southwest-is-making-new-changes-to-its-boarding-process
Southwest is Making New Changes to Its Boarding Process

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 Airlines (WN) is notably recognized for its unique boarding process, where passengers do not have assigned seats beforehand.
Photo: By Tomás Del Coro from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – N793SA Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-7H4 Serial Number 27888, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71324128

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.

Southwest Airlines (WN) is notably recognized for its unique boarding process, where passengers do not have assigned seats beforehand.
Photo: By Eric Salard – N559WN LAX, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44649799

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.

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Also Read: US Airlines, Including American, United, Delta, and Southwest, want you to Dress Properly – Aviation A2Z

Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.

Southwest Airlines to Charge for Premium Seats Now After Q1 Loss

The post Southwest is Making New Changes to Its Boarding Process appeared first on Aviation A2Z.