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
How much money was lost making all those * No Fee * ads? Bags are next...Your goose is cooked !!
How does one purchase the early bird after paying for their Southwest Vacation? The Southwest Vacation people do not have any idea on how to do this yet. Did you let them know?
If you are going to roll out a new fee, it should be only applicable to new flights when you release your new schedule for bookings. For the rest of us who paid for our tickets in advance, it like being shaken down for a extra $10 each way. Even the other airlines make fees only applicable for bookings after their fee announcement. It like being assigned a aisle seat on another airline and paying for your ticket, then being told a few days before you leave you'll have to pay $10 if you still want the same seat.
Is there any way to find out how far ahead in the line I'll move if I purchase an EarlyBird pass? What if the plane is full of Biz Select, A-Listers, families with kids who board after A, and other EarlyBird people? I would be very unhappy if I paid $10 (or $40 for my entire family) and I still end up with a C pass. At least on other airlines with the advance seat assignment fee you know what you're paying extra for.
Oh and I also read in the FAQ that if you purchase an EarlyBird pass and then need to cancel your flight you lose the EarlyBird payment, no refund, no exchange. Nice.
I hope that this does not get to the point where one person buys the early board and then tries to 'hold' seats for family members. I had this happen on a flight where an A board saved the remaining emergency row seats and when my husband and I tried to sit down, she went ballistic. The flight attendant did not enforce the rules as we understood it, which if you cannot 'hold' seats for later boarding passengers.
If you are going to do this with Early Bird boarding, make sure the flight attendants don't let passingers 'reserve' seats for their friends when their friends do not buy the Early Bird boarding. If I pay for Early Bird, I expect to be able to sit where I want to, not be told the seat is 'held.'
This could really lead to bad conflicts among passengers!
Hey this is like tipping the maitre d' to get a good seat in the restaurant. If I slip the Ops Agent a $20, can I sit up front with the pilots?
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is not a fee, this a service that is available to use if you to choose. It will not effect A-listers or Business select passengers. This service also does not always guarantee an A boarding pass. Thank you for your comments, pro or con, we like to hear from you!!
Metanoi... I'm lost in your logic? You'd rather fly from IAD to SFO to connect to LAS on Virgin America because of a $10 fee? Just did a quick search with random dates selected. 9/22-9/25, IAD-LAS, Virgin America is $625.39 with a change of planes in SFO, Southwest is $319.20 out of BWI and $329.20 on the nonstop flights. Still going to take that Virgin America flight?
"It seems like WN has forgotten about those who aren't business travelers but still pay fares that allow the average flight to make a profit. It takes 7 passengers on average to break even, and now you're down to 6." -- You're seeing these new "fees" introduced to help raise revenue because it is a fact that people will not pay fares that allow the average flight to make a profit. It's not as if flights are already profitable and "fees" are being added to increase that profit...quite the opposite actually. Time to get your head out of the sand and face reality.
This is one of the best ideas that Southwest has come up with! It's not always possible to be by a computer exactly 24 hours before. Southwest is still great when it comes to not charging fees, as other airlines do, such as checking 2 bags or changing a reservation.
Thank you Southwest not charging for bags or to change a ticket!
OK, so I just popped for another $20 for my October round-trip and will give it a try.
Don't like it though.
I will be curios to see what boarding assigment this gets me.
If it is higher than a A-20's, I will be very disappointed indeed.
It's not a fee for something you've already had. Still no charge for checking in 24 hours early, or at the airport (for those of you who procrastinate and then expect a B pass). No charge for two check bags, no charge for cola's, juice or coffee, no charge for the great snacks, no charge for an aisle seat (and yes the B group still has a selection of aisle seats), no charge for window seats and many other items that other airlines do charge a fee.
Not sure what "other" fees you guys are referring to that make you think SWA is like the others. SW is brining in new services that weren't around before and that's what you are being charged for, unlike the other airlines that are now charging you for things you used to get free.
Also people, really, it's a short part of your day (or night) in most cases that you spend on the plane. Why act like you are going to be spending days in that seat? Worse things in life to worry about then a seat on a 3 hour flight.