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Southwest airlines to allow higher-paying customers boarding priority
Justin covered Southwest Airlines' boarding procedures as the company tooled around with changes (here and here). But as the boarding rules changed, one thing remained constant: all citizens were equal on Southwest flights. Here, the economy-class commoners mingled with business-class budgeters. There was no "class warfare" on Southwest, as there were no classes. It was all economy, all the way. No special boarding, and no special treatment. But although Southwest is maintaining the illusion of a perfect democracy, those with more money will soon be able to board first and get their pick of seats. The airline isn't adding a First or Business class, and presumably it's still in the budget-airline category. But it is beginning to cater to business travelers by selling last-minute and more expensive tickets to "business select" travelers. Customers who buy these tickets are automatically placed in the "A" boarding group, which gets to board first. "Business select" travelers even get a complimentary cocktail!
Sounds like a new class has emerged at Southwest after all.
Read the full article here.
Remember Kyla Ebbert, the Southwest Airlines "Skirtgate" girl? Click here to check out her shameless MySpace photos.
Filed under: Business, North America, United States, Airlines, Transportation, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
mib1969 Nov 10th 2007 12:21AM
The interesting thing about this is that SWA is trying to squeeze $50 per round trip out of business customers just for the privledge of getting an A-group boarding pass. The reality is that most business travelers already get A-group boarding passes because they are accustomed to manually printing their boarding passes 24 hours before their flight (or, like me, they use one of the automated boarding pass services -- my favorite is http://www.checkin4me.com). Given that there are 60 A-Group seats, I can't see people getting much advantage out of spending the extra $50. Personally, I would rather subscribe to an automatic service and take my chances (for $60/year).
jdtrans Nov 10th 2007 7:23AM
This is such a shame. If they're going to do something different, it should be the regular assignment of seats when you purchase your ticket. This is just another example of the privileged FEW who have more money! I probably book a hundred tickets a year on SWA, always telling my customers how excellent they are, I'm going to have to rethink that!
Niddy Nov 10th 2007 7:27AM
Actually, there are only 45 "As" on most flights. I print boarding passes all day long, so I see a lot of families who are tickets- 44, 45, and 46, and the person who is 46 (usually the child) is in the B group.
John Nov 10th 2007 7:40AM
I'll be taking 12 teenagers down to Orlando in August '08. Southwest is the only airline that offers non-stop flights to Orlando in our area. Now I think that we'll ship our equipment down with FedEx and fly someone else. Wouldn't it be great to have half our group bumped just because a few paid more for their tickets at the last minute?
Southwest, you really dropped the ball on this one. I guess it's all part of the over-booking every airline does.
jim Nov 10th 2007 7:43AM
I think its a great idea. Southwest planes are so small it does not matter when you board. The people with the pass can laugh at the poor people as they get on first. and the people without passes can laugh at the people who paid big money just to have everybody arrive at the same time. And Southwest can claim thier class free and laugh at them both. But then everybody always knew Southwest never had any class anyway.
tim Nov 10th 2007 7:49AM
if theres no class then what this stuff about a tickets/pick your own seat sound like a round about way of say heres the bull are you ready to buy it come on people if you buy no class then ive got a car to sell you that dont need wheels just round thing to row down the road
Bruce Harpster Nov 10th 2007 7:49AM
There is an old saying."If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
I always try to fly Southwest when I can. I have loved this airline for almost as many years as it has been in business, but yesterday I was disappointed when I boarded in Philadelphia. Leave things the way they were. You need to do some work on the planes also. My seat wouldn't stay upright and the reading light was out.
BeachBum Nov 10th 2007 8:20AM
Cut the socialist heifer-dust. Take the cheap flights and spend our savings elsewhere. Rejoice!
Angela Nov 10th 2007 8:20AM
Gee, what a relief. When it said improved boarding procedures, I thought it meant a narrow, plank-board walkway over-seen by a flight attendant with a cattle prod.
farmist Nov 10th 2007 8:38AM
If someone wants to pay extra for an A boarding pass, more power to them. I'll continue to sit behind the wing where it's safer in case of a crash, save money, and arrive at the same time they do.
cyberma777 Nov 10th 2007 8:32AM
What a joke! Who cares when you board the plane? Everyone gets the same claustrophobic seat whether they are in an aisle, next to a window, or in the middle. So what does this really mean? You are paying for the most expensive drink ever! This is a real sucker deal!!!!
Francesco Nov 10th 2007 8:52AM
SOON SWA WILL BE FLYING WATERMELONS FROM MEXICO
Johanna Nov 10th 2007 8:55AM
........my gripe with all the airlines is the arrival procedure........people without carry on's should exit the plane first. Waiting for passengers to get down their "body bags" out of the over head compartments is annoying and a waste of my time.
Annette Nov 10th 2007 8:59AM
Nicely said, jim!
Elaine Nov 10th 2007 9:04AM
How disappointing. Southwest made us all believe some time back that they were probably going to start assigning seats with ticket purchases, so that it would not be a "free for all" mess when people were boarding, and families could sit together. Now, instead they are making people pay extra money to get that privilege, and the rest of us cattle can try to stampede and get to a place where we can sit with our families, but probably won't be able to. I always liked Southwest, but they are at the bottom of my list now. I won't fly them again.
Judy Nov 10th 2007 9:11AM
We've been using SWA for about 5 years now and with one exception, all flights we've taken have always taken off on time and landed early. We've not yet had to experience a situation in which we've not had enough time to plan a trip, so I've usually always gotten the internet lowest fares and been able to get an A boarding pass. I'll be anxious to see how things change. I have my children coming in for Christmas and we'll see how their experience goes.
don Nov 10th 2007 9:14AM
What a sham. I flew SW two days ago (because other real airlines were booked) and they had a "new" method of lining people up, now by A,B,C in sequence and number groups. Reminded me of a kindergarden class with a teacher herding them into line. At least I didn't have to step on and over the waiting passengers who were sitting on the floor eating their lunch or with their laptops which seemed to be a tribal right of the SW cult. Besides avoiding a middle seat, the only reason to get on to this cattle car first is to find a overhead spot for your carryon bags avoiding the half hour wait and likely loss of your bags. I suggest that people check the prices of other, more respectful airlines, before you buy your ticket. Unless you can plan well in advance, the prices are the same and you get a seat, don't have to stand in line and are treated like a real customer. At least SW flight attendents stopped singing and the telling dumb jokes which were faxed to them every morning.
lin Nov 10th 2007 9:15AM
Shucks I thought there was going to be a no kid zone. No kids kicking my seats, no kids playing nintendos without headsets, walking up and down the aisles, climbing over seats. I'd pay more to pick my own seat, too bad u can't see everyone else around you first!
lin Nov 10th 2007 9:18AM
How can you get bumped if you all have tickets? I've flown with my kids for years and never once got bumped. Check in early and especially like #1 said, print your boarding passes out before you get there. Sounds like maybe you should leave the 12 kids with someone else if you've got an attitude about flying before you leave.
LADYWHITESOX Nov 11th 2007 8:47AM
I FLY SOUTWEST FREQUENTLY, AND I HAVE TO SAY IT IS A CRAP SHOOT NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO. YOU CAN GET AN A BOARDING PASS, ARRIVE EARLY, STAND ON LINE FOR AN HOUR OR MORE TO HAVE THEM CHANGE YOUR GATE AT THE LAST MINUTE AND WIND UP AT THE BACK OF THE LINE.
NOW WITH THIS NEW PROCEDURE I HAVE LOGGED ON ONE MINUTE AFTER MY 24 HOUR ADVANCED BOARDING TICKET RETRIEVAL AND GOTTON A
#26...CRAP SHOOT.
YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD LEARN TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO BOOK THEIR SEATS AT THE TIME OF PURCHASING THEIR TICKETS. IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL STOP THE PUSHING AND SHOVING AT THE LAST MINUTE.