Southwest Airlines' shock decision alienates frequent fliers

The airline claims the move aims to boost revenue and align with industry standards.

PUBLISHED MAR 11, 2025

Southwest reported a record revenue of $27.6 billion for the full year 2024.

Los Angeles: Southwest Airlines is rocking from some serious blowback after it announced that, starting May 28, 2025, it would implement charges for checked baggage, ending a long-standing policy of allowing two free checked bags per passenger.

The airline claims the move aims to enhance revenue amid financial pressures and align with industry standards, as most major US airlines already charge for checked luggage. The new policy, it says, will still offer benefits for loyal customers and premium fare passengers, but others will have to pay for checked bags.

The athletes allege Southwest airlines failed to properly accommodate them at three different airports. — Southwest airlines is the third largest airline in the US for number of passengers carried

But Southwest fans and frequent fliers slammed the move, threatening to abandon the airline in droves.

Loyal Southwest customer Michael Oliver posted on X: "As someone who has flown almost exclusively with Southwest Airlines for the last 10-plus years I am no longer loyal. Will I possibly fly them again sure but I have 0 loyalty and im not happy about these changes. Might Cancel their card even."

Art Candee even found a way to shoehorn some blame for US President Donald Trump when she posted on X: "Southwest is scrapping its 'bags fly free' policy after nearly 60 years. Folks will now have to pay for checked bags in May. Donald Trump is cratering the airline business like he did with his failed Trump Shuttle."

The airline claims the move aims to enhance revenue amid financial pressures.

One person who has been a loyal Southwest customer since the age of six channeled the vibe of many of the airline's customers with this post: "Apparently @SouthwestAir is getting rid of free checked bags with ticket. Been a loyal customer since I was 6 years old [flying to my dad’s every holiday and summer]. I will now be switching to other airlines as this was the only perk I cared about from southwest."

The new policy, it says, will still offer benefits for loyal customers.

This move is part of broader changes at Southwest, including ending open seating and conducting layoffs, as the airline seeks to improve its financial performance.

These changes come as the airline, facing competitive pressures and investor demands for higher financial returns, moves away from its longstanding, customer-friendly policies like free checked bags.

Southwest airlines is the third largest airline in the US for number of passengers carried behind American and Delta, and boasts a fleet size of 799 aircraft.

The airline reported a record revenue of $27.6 billion for the full year 2024, marking a 5.3% increase from the previous year. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Southwest achieved operating revenues of $6.9 billion, a 1.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023.