Southwest Airlines keeps taking away passenger perks
The airline that used to be all about being different than its rival continues to become exactly what it used to mock.
Southwest Airlines was the airline of the people. It offered transparent, all-inclusive fares and a democratic (albeit chaotic) boarding system.
People loved Southwest because it had very few extra fees, and the price it advertised was basically the price you paid. Yes, the airline offered extra-fee early check-in as well as a sort of cut-the-line "business" boarding option. But bags, non-alcoholic drinks, and everything you expected to be included were included.
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That began shifting back in 2023 when Southwest (LUV) started chipping away at its identity. It was a small change at first — the airline started charging $8 per flight segment for WiFi, rather than $8 for the entire day.
It may sound small, but it was the airline adding a new charge for passengers who already had the hassle of having to make a connection. To many, it was a salt-in-the-wound move that didn't seem worth the extra revenue.
