Southwest Airlines just dropped a bombshell that’s got their so-called loyal fans losing their minds!
So, you know how they’ve been bragging for years about their “two free checked bags” deal, right?
Well, on Tuesday, they were like, “Psych! We’re kidding—pay up, suckers!” They’re tweaking their whole gig to drive revenue growth and make their shareholders happy.
I’m already picturing the boardroom:
CEO: “How do we squeeze more cash outta these schmucks?”
Exec: “Uh, charge ‘em for bags they thought were free?”
CEO: “Genius! Call it ‘profit-parency’ or something!”
So starting May 28, unless you’re some fancy-pants Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred member or splurging on a Business Select ticket, those two free bags? Gone. Poof. Regular Joes like us are stuck paying for both, while credit card holders get a measly one freebie.
They haven’t said how much yet, but their website’s already hinting a third bag’s $150—yikes! I’m over here like, “What’s next, $20 to use the bathroom mid-flight?”
The internet’s a total dumpster fire over this. Reddit’s blowing up with people ready to ditch Southwest faster than you’d ditch a blind date with bad breath.
One guy’s like, “Boycott? Mass exodus? Can we just storm off in a huff already?” Another’s all, “This is the nail in the coffin, man.”
I’m cracking up imagining these keyboard warriors:
Redditor 1: “I’m DONE. Southwest’s dead to me!”
Redditor 2: “Same, bro. I only flew ‘em for the free bags!”
Redditor 1: “Delta? They’ll charge you to breathe. Good luck!”
This travel guru, Gary Leff—he’s some big-shot blogger from Texas—told it’s no wonder people are pissed. Southwest’s been all about transfarency (their cute little word for no sneaky fees), and now they’re flipping the script.
He’s like, “They’ve been wooing us with free bags and chill vibes for 50 years, and now they’re dumping us like a bad Tinder match!”
I can just hear him ranting:
Leff: “Southwest was the cool kid—free bags, flexible rebooking. Now? They’re just another greedy airline with worse Wi-Fi!”
Me (in my head): “Tell us how you really feel, Gary!”
Some folks aren’t boycotting, though—they’re just shrugging it off.
One Redditor’s like, “I’ll still fly ‘em if they’re cheap and convenient, but I’m side-eyeing other airlines now.” Another’s all, “Yeah, this sucks, but every airline’s a money pit—Southwest’s still my ride from Podunk to Nowhere.” Fair, but I’m over here giggling at the betrayal vibes.
Oh, and it gets better—they’re not just nixing free bags. They’re adding basic economy tickets with no seat picks unless you pay extra, cutting points on cheap fares, and messing with their boarding process.
They’re cramming in some extra legroom seats by shrinking the regular ones. I’m imagining the pitch:
Southwest Exec: “More legroom up front!”
Intern: “Uh, sir, that means less room in the back.”
Exec: “Perfect! Charge ‘em for breathing room too!”
Leff’s like, “They’re copying the big airlines but forgetting the good stuff—like decent Wi-Fi or those little TV screens.”
I’m dying thinking of Southwest passengers stuck watching the seat in front of them while Delta’s got in-flight Netflix. It’s like Southwest’s saying, “We’re basic now, deal with it!”
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