Once again, Southwest Airlines is introducing a new product to make traveling a little easier for our Customers. Many of you have told us how important it is to get an early boarding position so you can find that coveted seat without having to watch the clock for your 24-hour window to check in. Today, I am excited to introduce EarlyBird Check-in - one more way Southwest is providing convenience during your travel experience. For just $10 (one-way), EarlyBird Check-in Customers will automatically obtain a reserved boarding position before general check-in begins. You no longer have to worry about checking in for your flight as we will do the work for you to help you get a better boarding position, which of course leads to improved seat selection and earlier access to overhead bin space.
This project is one of many that we have been working on to bring you more options. The process has been fast and furious, but with the help of several Southwest Teams, we were able to bring this new product to life in just a matter of months. It started with just an idea on the whiteboard, but quickly went from an idea to a creative concept online that is now EarlyBird Check-in. The fun part was coming up with the name for the product. Check out just a few that didn’t make the final cut, and let us know what you might have called the new product.
- Shotgun
- Leapfrog Check-in
- Jet Ahead
- Gimme a Lift
- First Dibs
- Jump Seat
Of course, we continue to offer Customers our premium Business Select product, which guarantees that you will be one of the first Passengers onboard your flight—with a drink; extra Rapid Rewards credit; and FlyBy Security Lane access (at select airports) as added benefits! EarlyBird Check-in Customers will begin boarding the plane after our Business Select and Rapid Rewards A-List Customers. For more information about EarlyBird Check-in, visit our web site: http://www.southwest.com/flight/early-bird-retrieve-reservation.html
Comments
A fee in a not so clever disguise-WN cannot enforce boarding order now-how will they do it now that pax will be paying for an A?
$10, paid only by credit card and not with TTF...disappointing.
Not a fan of this - Its a good idea in theory I guess to make more $ - but is kinda getting like the other airlines (airtran, united, etc) where they charge for exit rows and front seats... Not Southwest-like
I really think this is a bad idea. I hope it does not take SWA very long to realize that and go back to the airline they used to be.
And what does this do to "A-list" membership? You put that in to win my business travel loyalty. Seems you're willing to trade that loyalty for $10.
This is just an option for the Customer who wants to be in the A group and did not make the cut. It is perfect for the family who want to be an A, or a large party who want to board together. I prefer my B because it is more important to me to make my own seatmate decision. Having a great seat is less important than a great seatmate. Those C just mean a center seat no matter how you cut it. See you on board, hey save me a seat!
This "convenience" is a fee, pure and simple. Parents must pay the fee to ensure they get a seat next to their kids. It adds $80 to the price of a trip I booked yesterday for our family of four. First Business Select, then Rapid Rewards A List, now this. What happened to the customer-friendly Southwest Airlines we all knew and loved? For years our family has driven from Rochester, NY to Buffalo solely so that we can fly Southwest. In the future, we might as well just book a flight on another airline that leaves from our hometown. I'm very disappointed in this.
Everytime I spend a lot of money buying Southwest Airlines tickets in advance, Southwest Airlines figures a new way to push me to back of the plane unless I pay some extra fee. My favorite airline is disappointing me.
I know your airline has to make money, but these extra fees make your airline just like the rest.
Every passenger used to be equal on Southwest, now you have created a 3 class system.
Business Select-First Class
Early Bird-Business Class
Regular Tickets-Coach(Steerage)
Soon Southwest Airlines will be like Saturn. From a company with great customer loyalty to a company just like the rest.
We all thought SWA was different, they are turning into all the other airlines, Don't be fooled either bag fees are now hidden into the fares, we are seeing fares from Southwest this year that are different than years past.
Anonymous, A-Listers will still board ahead of those with the EarlyBird option.
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