Southwest Airlines promises more fees, price hikes

The airline that once touted its no-added-fees approach now has a lot of added fees and plans to add more.

Jun 2, 2025 - 20:12
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Southwest Airlines promises more fees, price hikes

To put things in pro wrestling terms, Southwest Airlines has completed its heel turn. Like John Cena delivering a low blue to Cody Rhodes, the airline has proverbially, punched all of its customers below the belt.

And, much like Cena, the perennial, good guy finally deciding to become a villain, Southwest has embraced being the bad guy.

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A company that once prided itself on putting customers first has been very vocal about putting the bottom line first. 

You may hear some Southwest Airlines (LUV) executives trying to pretend that this is not a massive anti-consumer change, but those are empty words.

The airline has decided that it will no longer offer clear pricing with everything included, or nearly everything. It will also no longer be the Democratic airline where everyone can pick their seat.

Instead, Southwest will be no different than United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, at any of the discount carriers that charge for everything. And, at least in the case of the discount carriers they are being very clear with what they offer.