Southwest Airlines Implements Pre-Flight Boarding Policy Adjustments

Southwest Airlines recently made changes to its pre-flight boarding policies by limiting the options for passengers to purchase a better spot in line for an extra fee.

According to The Associated Press, Southwest officials revealed the carrier’s EarlyBird option would be limited on “certain flights, routes or days” as the company continues to assess product enhancements.

The airline said passengers can still purchase the EarlyBird service, but the option is “unavailable for some customers looking to purchase it.” The changes went into effect on August 15.

Since Southwest doesn’t offer assigned seats, priority boarding allows travelers to jump ahead of other passengers to get the best available seats. The EarlyBird option starts at $15 and increases based on “the length of the flight and demand for seats.”

The airline offers other services that allow travelers to board early, including the high-priced Business Select fares, which boast a guaranteed top-15 spot in line with purchase.

Regarding the financial impact on the carrier, Southwest executives revealed during a quarterly earnings call that EarlyBird fees accounted for more than $100 million during the second quarter, around 1.4 percent of the carrier’s total revenue.

Southwest Chief Commercial Officer Ryan Green said that while the EarlyBird option fell below standards as the travel industry bounced back from the pandemic, the service “performed very well in the second quarter.”

Earlier this month, the airline extended its flight schedule through April 8, 2024. To meet seasonal demand and travel patterns, Southwest added more nonstop options for the busy spring break period, including travel on peak days when new time-saving nonstop service corresponds with a complementary schedule of daily connecting or same-plane flights.