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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Southwest adds a $10 fee for early checkin

Southwest has made a meal of other airlines' fees. using them as a key component of its marketing to tell customers the carrier isn't like the other guys. But financial pressure is forcing Southwest to find extra revenue and today it announced a fee that bears some similarity to others airlines' charges. For $10 you can be an "early bird," automatically checked in on a Southwest flight ahead of the usual 24-hour period.

By being in this new, more privileged boarding group, customers have  better shot at sitting where they want in a Southwest cabin where all seats are unreserved. This doesn't seem a lot different than other carriers charging something -- usually more than $10 -- to reserve certain seats on their planes. One news story has popped up on Southwest's move, and here's more information from its Web site.  
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 12:04 PM  Permalink | 8 comments
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:19 PM, 09/02/2009
    Love your bags, but hate early birds!
    — WCgrad77
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:36 PM, 09/02/2009
    makes me sad....Southwest could have raised prices,, but instead,,when down the slippery path following it's big brothers.. I guess baggage charges are coming next....
    — STEVE5444
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:39 PM, 09/02/2009
    Really, Steve5444? Could have raised prices? If they raised prices instead, I'd be out. I'll let the suckers pay the $10 if I can keep my low fares, free bags, and free peanuts/drinks, thanks!
    — EaglesFanInStPete
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:46 PM, 09/02/2009
    Totally different.... when traveling for an extended period of time, one MUST check in luggage. SWA is free, others charge..... When one travels, they don't NEED a good seat........ I will gladly check in 2 hours before flight time and take the best possible seat available.
    — joeolive
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:47 PM, 09/02/2009
    exactly, EaglesFan. I could care less where I sit if it means free bags, drinks, etc. Even if I decide to pay the extra $10, SWA is still cheaper and, in my opinion, better than the larger airlines for the routes I normally fly.
    — PhillyKid85
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:54 PM, 09/02/2009
    good move...just another way to take advantage of people who have too much money...if you don't like it, don't pay it. Nothing has changed. The only downfall of Southwest is awful ATC delays in Philly.
    — Flyers18
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:40 AM, 09/03/2009
    Most airlines still give complimentary drinks. Fining, I mean charging a fee, those that want to check in early is a slant on fees. I'm not for or against it, but it is creative. As for fare comparison, at least to where I fly to, SW is not the cheapest.
    — cadguy


8 comments
About Tom Belden
Tom Belden has been reporting about Philadelphia International Airport and other air travel subjects for more than 20 years, writing columns for The Inquirer's Travel and Business sections. His reporting (with colleague Craig McCoy) on baggage handling problems in Philadelphia have been credited with helping to improve the system. His previous blog was called Road Warrior. He can reached at tbelden@phillynews.com.
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