DALLAS- Southwest Airlines (WN) announced significant operational changes today aimed at evolving America’s largest domestic carrier.
These initiatives target business growth while creating additional choices for both current and future customers.
Photo: By Basil D Soufi – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16409020Southwest Airlines Checked Bags
Bob Jordan, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Southwest Airlines, emphasized the company’s growth strategy. “We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect,” Jordan stated.
The airline will modify its baggage policy starting May 28, 2025. Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select fare customers will continue receiving two free checked bags, while A-List Members will receive one free checked bag.
Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will receive credit for one checked bag. Customers not qualifying for these options will pay for their first and second checked bags.
Southwest recently adjusted its loyalty program point structure. Business Select fares now earn more points while Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares earn fewer points. The Rapid Rewards program will implement variable redemption rates based on flight demand levels.
The carrier will introduce a new Basic fare option on its lowest-priced tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025. This change precedes planned implementation of assigned seating and extra legroom options.
To reach new customer segments, Southwest expanded its distribution channels through a partnership with online travel agency Expedia that began last month.
Additionally, flight credits for tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025 will expire one year or earlier from the ticketing date, depending on fare type.
Photo: Southwest AirlinesAdditional Service Enhancements
Southwest Airlines’ latest changes build upon several initiatives already in progress across the company. The carrier recently launched assigned seating and extra legroom options while establishing its first industry-standard airline partnership with Icelandair on February 13, coinciding with the debut of Southwest’s first-ever scheduled overnight redeye flights.
The airline maintains its focus on operational excellence amid these transformative changes. Southwest currently leads the industry in on-time performance for 2025 and has operated 98.3 percent of its published flight schedule without cancellations, marking a year-over-year improvement according to operational data reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation as of February 28, 2025.
Southwest Airlines reaffirms its commitment to its foundational principles—employees delivering exceptional hospitality, a robust network featuring the most nonstop flights within the United States according to Cirium data for June 2025 schedules, and a loyalty program providing substantial value to Rapid Rewards Members.
The airline’s domestic market leadership position has been confirmed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey since Q1 2021.
Southwest will maintain its existing checked bag weight and size limitations under the new policy structure. Travel credits will expire one year from ticketing date for all fares except Basic fares, which will expire after six months from ticketing date.
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The post Southwest Airlines Makes New Changes to Checked Bags Policy appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
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