Southwest to revamp its fares?

BTN News
Monday, 10 June 2024

The airline credited with 'inventing' today's budget airlines category, the US's Southwest Airlines, reportedly may overhaul its fare structure to offer customers three different cabin classes and reduce flexibility for its cheapest tickets.


Reports citing recent customer focus group meetings say there will be a ‘Premium/Premier’ area costing between US$50 and US$75 for seat assignment, while  ‘Select’ and ‘Standard’ seat assignments will cost US$30-US$50 and US$15-US$25 respectively.

Currently, Southwest groups passengers before they board into three groups, namely A, B, and C. 

Families with children six years or younger can board the aircraft between groups A and B, while people with disabilities pre board the aircraft and sit at a specific seat.

Other passengers choose where they sit after boarding.

Reports say the carrier also is considering changing the four fare bundles it currently offers to its customers: 'Wanna Get Away', 'Wanna Get Away Plus', 'Anytime' and 'Business Select'. 

The cheapest fare, 'Wanna Get Away', would not include seat assignments and would offer no flexibility, not allowing travellers to make any changes to the booking.

The new plans would give Wanna Get Away Plus customers free ticket changes and the right to select seats in the ‘Standard’ cabin for free, while those who purchased an Anytime ticket would be able to choose between ‘Standard’ or ‘Select’ seats. 

Business Select passengers would have full ticket flexibility, seat selection from all three new cabin sections, and free early boarding. All four fares would have two free checked bags.

It is understood the carrier is concerned Boeing's ongoing aircraft delivery delays will pose a challenge for both its 2024 and 2025 schedules.

Southwest to revamp its fares?

BTN News
Monday, 10 June 2024

The airline credited with 'inventing' today's budget airlines category, the US's Southwest Airlines, reportedly may overhaul its fare structure to offer customers three different cabin classes and reduce flexibility for its cheapest tickets.


Reports citing recent customer focus group meetings say there will be a ‘Premium/Premier’ area costing between US$50 and US$75 for seat assignment, while  ‘Select’ and ‘Standard’ seat assignments will cost US$30-US$50 and US$15-US$25 respectively.

Currently, Southwest groups passengers before they board into three groups, namely A, B, and C. 

Families with children six years or younger can board the aircraft between groups A and B, while people with disabilities pre board the aircraft and sit at a specific seat.

Other passengers choose where they sit after boarding.

Reports say the carrier also is considering changing the four fare bundles it currently offers to its customers: 'Wanna Get Away', 'Wanna Get Away Plus', 'Anytime' and 'Business Select'. 

The cheapest fare, 'Wanna Get Away', would not include seat assignments and would offer no flexibility, not allowing travellers to make any changes to the booking.

The new plans would give Wanna Get Away Plus customers free ticket changes and the right to select seats in the ‘Standard’ cabin for free, while those who purchased an Anytime ticket would be able to choose between ‘Standard’ or ‘Select’ seats. 

Business Select passengers would have full ticket flexibility, seat selection from all three new cabin sections, and free early boarding. All four fares would have two free checked bags.

It is understood the carrier is concerned Boeing's ongoing aircraft delivery delays will pose a challenge for both its 2024 and 2025 schedules.