CEO Bob Jordan stated this change, as well as assigned seating, could add $1.7 billion in earnings before interest and taxes by 2026. Southwest needs the money.

Never been a fan of Southwest because of their seating. Delta is the only way to fly!

If you fly that much that it matters all you need is the Southwest credit card and your bags are still free. Who needs to take 2 bags anyway?

LOL and I avoid Delta like the plague. I got caught up in that computer issue last year and had to drive home from Atlanta. I will fly them once more to use up the credit they gave me but Atlanta is a hot mess with their changing gates willy nilly. I came in Terminal E, my connection was terminal A, got halfway there and found, no, it was now Terminal B. Got to that gate and found it was switched again to Terminal E - 2 gates down from my original arrival. I walked 3 miles in Atlanta that day even with using the train. My return trip got me stuck in Atlanta along with a few thousand other happy travelers. Luckily got a car.

I’ve always loved the current seating approach because I can avoid the “land mines.”

The new process means you will never know whether a child, or larger person is going to be crowding your space.

The bags situation is another perk that frequent travelers can still enjoy.

After reading thru these replies I failed to see any gratitude for the years of 2 free bags. The airlines are not the only greedy ones

Southwest
 

If you have a southwest credit card, they will charge you for one bag but then you get reimbursed. I fly Southwest because it goes direct to where I need to go.

That is what I have found as well. The only exception is United is less expensive than SW from Orlando to Houston usually, but they fly into different airports. Having had the airline lose luggage (OK delay getting me the luggage for 2-3 days) more than once, I never check luggage any longer.

Now Frontier just recently started offering two free checked bags for those paying for their tickets using their Frontier Mastercard.

Allegiant gives two free checked bags, up to 100 lbs each, and a free carry on to Veterans and Active Duty.
Free early boarding as well.
Having their credit card gets you a free drink on board and early boarding.

As a veteran, I simply check my bag and my girlfriend's bag undery name to get both for free.

[QUOTE=msilagy;2415699]After reading thru these replies I failed to see any gratitude for the years of 2 free bags. The airlines are not the only greedy ones[/QUO

Lol, seriously? They're busy rebuying their stock, poor, broke Southwest. They're doing what they have to do but their no charge for baggage was a business decision to grab a large share of the market. They weren't providing that service out of the goodness of their heart.

SW Changes
 

The things that set SW apart, free bags and free for all for seats🤣 are being changed. Upper tiers get 1 free bag and seat selection. Unfortunately for me, they from non stop to my home area, which for me is important. We rarely check more than 1 bag each , so the upper tier it will be.
I will not miss lining up like cattle!

60-Years
 

Credit to Southwest Airlines ... they've had 2-bags Fly Free for over 60-years when they began flying. No major airline has ever attempted anything like it for that long.

Do not like it when a vendor takes away something we have always enjoyed without adding something. Why be loyal to them?

Are the changes Southwest is making friendly for some customers, no. That being said, they need to stay competitive and remain a viable service provider. I would hate to see them fold or cut service routes. Without them there is less competition and nobody would benefit from that except for their competitors.