Southwest Airlines: All the changes coming ahead of summer travel
FILE - A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 airplane arrives at Los Angeles International Airport from San Francisco on March 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Southwest Airlines is the original budget, low-cost carrier, but financial struggles have caused the airline to make major changes this year in hopes of turning a better profit.
The most notable include eliminating the open seating and free checked bag policies, for which the airline was most famously known.
Here’s a look at all the changes in the coming months that the airline has announced:
Southwest flight credit
The backstory:
A flight credit is a credit from either a canceled flight or a downgrade in fare that can be used to buy a future flight.
What's changing:
These flight credits previously did not expire but now will, beginning with ones issued on and after May 28, 2025. Credits will expire in either one year or six months, depending on the type of fare purchased.
Flight credits created on or before May 27, 2025, are not subject to the new policy and will not expire.
New Southwest basic fare
Travelers have something they may look forward to from Southwest.
What's changing:
Also beginning May 28, 2025, the airline will introduce a new Basic fare. It will be offered at a lower price, but also come with the most restrictions.
Dig deeper:
The new, so-called "Basic" fare will be replacing Southwest’s current "Wanna Get Away" fares.
Southwest checked bag policy
What's changing:
For reservations booked and ticketed or changed on or after May 28, 2025, checked baggage fees will begin applying. Previously, Southwest had famously offered two free checked bags for every flight and every fare purchased.
By the numbers:
It’s still unclear how much it will cost to check a bag, but Southwest said it will be comparable to the industry average.
Dig deeper:
Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers will receive the first checked bag for free, as well as up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation.
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Southwest seating policy
What's changing:
Southwest will begin offering booking for assigned and premium seating in the second half of 2025, and expects to begin operating with assigned and premium seating in 2026. Previously, Southwest had famously offered a love-it-or-hate-it open seating policy.
Dig deeper:
New seat types will also be offered, including standard or preferred seating. Extra legroom will also be available.
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Southwest layoffs
Meanwhile:
Earlier this year, Southwest said it was eliminating 1,750 jobs, or 15% of its corporate workforce, in the first major layoffs in the company's 53-year history.
What they're saying:
The job cuts, which are scheduled to be mostly completed by the end of June, are part of a plan by the airline to slash costs and transform the company into a "leaner, faster, and more agile organization," Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from various information pages on Southwest Airlines’ official website. Background information was taken from previous FOX Television Station reportings. This story was reported from Detroit.