Southwest Airlines has been a longtime favorite among travelers, including myself. However, recent changes to the airline’s policies have caused me to question my loyalty. These changes have stripped away the unique aspects that initially drew me to Southwest and kept me coming back as a repeat customer.
My devotion to Southwest has been unwavering, as I have flown with them countless times. I even have a favorite flight, which is the first flight of the day from Nashville International Airport to LaGuardia Airport in New York City. This flight is convenient, reliable, cheap, and gets me to my destination in just two hours. From LaGuardia, I can easily access the city via public transportation. However, the recent changes have made this flight less appealing to me.
One major change that has affected my loyalty is Southwest’s decision to charge for checked bags. Previously, passengers were able to check two bags per person for free, but now they are required to pay $35 for the first bag and an additional $45 for the second bag. This means that a passenger could end up spending an extra $80 on baggage fees before even reaching their destination.
Another recent change is the introduction of assigned seating. Southwest was known for its open seating policy, where passengers could choose their own seats upon boarding the plane. However, the airline has now implemented an 8-group boarding process, which has eliminated the A/B/C boarding groups and assigned seats to passengers based on their loyalty status, seat location, and fare type. This change has taken away the freedom of choosing a seat without having to pay extra.
This shift towards assigned seating and additional fees is what I call “airline class warfare. ” It is similar to the policies of other airlines and takes away the unique identity of Southwest. It is clear that these changes were made to please investors and increase profits, rather than to benefit the customers.
As a result of these changes, I no longer consider Southwest as my go-to airline. The things that made the company stand out from its competitors are now gone. It has become just another option for me, rather than the first airline I check when booking a flight.
Southwest claims that these changes will make the airline more appealing to new customers, but it has made it less attractive to loyal customers like myself. In fact, out of the four major trips I have taken since these changes were implemented, I have only flown with Southwest once.
It is disappointing to see how the brand I once loved has been altered for the sake of profits. This reinforces my belief that investors may have money, but they do not always have the best interests of the customers in mind.
In conclusion, the recent changes to Southwest’s policies have greatly impacted its identity and attractiveness in the travel industry. As a long-time fan, I am disappointed and no longer loyal to the airline. It is my hope that in the future, Southwest will reconsider these changes and prioritize the satisfaction of their customers.