Southwest Airlines Adds US$10 Fee to Reserve Early Boarding

Source: Kansas City Business Journal    Author: Ryan Sharrow    09/02/2009

Subject Concerned: Airlines   

Southwest Airlines will let some passengers pay US$10 to board its aircraft before others.

For the extra US$10 fee each way, Southwest said on Sep. 2 that passengers can reserve their boarding spot while buying their ticket.

Under the Dallas-based low-fare carrier's current policy, passengers can begin to check-in 24 hours before their flight. Passengers who check-in the earliest get to board first.

Southwest spokeswoman Whitney Eichinger said on Sep. 2 that the new option allows passengers to not have to worry about checking themselves in.

Many airlines have been charging passengers fees for beverages and baggage, but Southwest has aggressively marketed its "no frills" consumer policies to set itself apart.

And what sets this option apart, Eichinger said, is that in contrast with Southwest's competitors, passengers have a choice of paying the US$10 fee.

"These are opportunities that customers can have the option of taking advantage of, instead of being forced to pay the additional fee," she added.