Southwest announces $40 early boarding fee

[LisaS]

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-southwest-new-fee-20130121,0,3072224.story

As we suspected they are going to sell the empty slots in A1-A15 for $40.

...the new $40 fee guarantees that passengers get to be among the first 15 in line, letting them stow away carry-on bags in the overhead bin and pick seats with more legroom.

The new boarding option can be purchased at the gate, up to 45 minutes before boarding, and only when space is available, according to Southwest officials.

 

[sam_gordon]

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-southwest-new-fee-20130121,0,3072224.story

As we suspected they are going to sell the empty slots in A1-A15 for $40.

I don't fly SW, so I don't have a dog in this fight. But I wonder if someone buys EBCI, then decides to upgrade to this, do they refund the EBCI fee? IMO they should.

 

[LisaS]

Here is the official press release from Southwest: http://www.swamedia.com/releases/591a86ab-1b02-4071-9203-0a25e9890f5c

This announcement differs from what was stated in the LA Times article in that the option will be offered starting 45 minutes before departure, not up until 45 minutes before departure. That makes more sense so that last minute purchasers of Business Select fares can still get an A1-15 boarding position, then the remainder will be up for sale just prior to boarding.

This new boarding option will only be offered at the gate on the day of travel, beginning 45 minutes before the flight departs. Customers will hear an announcement in the gate area and will be able to purchase an available boarding position via credit card from a Customer Service Agent.

 

[kamik86]

that is kind of cool. Something to keep in mind if I ever end up with a REALLY bad boarding position.

 

[rwdavis2]

that is kind of cool. Something to keep in mind if I ever end up with a REALLY bad boarding position.

Good idea. Those first 15 slots are rarely sold out. The $40 is worth a decent seat and overhead space.

 

[ccgirl]

Can't wait to see that cattle call when the announcement is made. I have a vision of all these people getting up and running to the desk to purchase.

 

[robinb]

that is kind of cool. Something to keep in mind if I ever end up with a REALLY bad boarding position.

Good idea. Those first 15 slots are rarely sold out. The $40 is worth a decent seat and overhead space.

Really? It's not worth it for me. I have been squished in the middle seat more than once and I have handle that for a couple of hours. As long as my bags and I am on the plane, I don't really care where I sit.

 

[LisaS]

Really? It's not worth it for me. I have been squished in the middle seat more than once and I have handle that for a couple of hours. As long as my bags and I am on the plane, I don't really care where I sit.

I'm glad they made it so expensive. It wouldn't be worth $40 to me and I hope it won't appeal to many other Orlando-bound leisure travelers either!

My DH is very interested in this for business trips. He sometimes changes his return flight within 24 hours of departure, ending up with a very high "B" boarding position. The overhead bins are pretty full by the time he boards so he would pay the $40 to be guaranteed room for his his carry-on in this situation.

 

[HelenParr]

Seems like it might increase frequency of one person in the party paying the extra and trying to seat save for their group. Not me, just saying.

Also does seem logistically difficult, and if it is done at the desk, fraught with peril and confusion. At my small town airport probably works -- but at MCO, you can already barely figure out which SW gate is talking when overhead announcements are made.

I suppose the upside is SW can generate more fees from a volunteer population rather than up fees for all.

 

[LisaS]

Seems like it might increase frequency of one person in the party paying the extra and trying to seat save for their group. Not me, just saying.

I hadn't thought of that. Ugh.

ETA: Let's hope the $40 fee is too high to entice anyone to do that. For that price they could buy EBCI for 4 people and if they won't do that now maybe they won't be willing to pay $40 for the boarding upgrade either.

 

[taylor3297]

Interesting concept.

On our last flight to Orlando, I paid for the 4 of us to have early boarding. I was shocked when we were given A1-4. Well it wasn't stated anywhere on the website when I booked that RDU was a stop. So when we got on the plane it was almost full!

It was so much fun trying to find seats together. We were just wanting it to where Dh sat with one child and I with the other.

I thought that time early boarding was a rip off.

 

[pigletto]

Dh is 6ft 4, he can manage in a regular seat though. And I am a pretty awful flyer and feel much more comfortable near the front of the plane (not sure why..I just do) so we *may* bite on this sometime in the future. Not sure. Probably not though because we'd want the kids with us and 160 to upgrade seems a little steep. I would never pay for one and save even if it's allowed . Just seems obnoxious to me.

 

[taylor3297]

Seems like it might increase frequency of one person in the party paying the extra and trying to seat save for their group. Not me, just saying.

Also does seem logistically difficult, and if it is done at the desk, fraught with peril and confusion. At my small town airport probably works -- but at MCO, you can already barely figure out which SW gate is talking when overhead announcements are made.

I suppose the upside is SW can generate more fees from a volunteer population rather than up fees for all.

I was on a flight one time where a family tried to do that. The dad got on board and was saving seats. A lady came to sit down in the row and he said sorry, those seats are saved. The lady asked where were the people that were supposed to be sitting there, and he told her waiting to board. So the lady sat down any way. Man started yelling and of course FA got involved and told the Dad that he couldn't save seats.

 

[stormer]

Seems like it might increase frequency of one person in the party paying the extra and trying to seat save for their group. Not me, just saying.

Exactly what I am worried about!

 

[bookwormde]

I like the wording "first in line" not "first to board".

A1-15 slots are often almost empty, especially on vacation destination flights

 

[goofy4tink]

Hopefully, SW will do something to prevent those from buying one seat and then saving multiple seats. Shouldn't be too difficult. Perhaps they could give them a special placard that goes on the seat to show it has been paid for. Then, if there is no placard, you are free to take the seat.
I have no issue with SW charging for those spots. I don't imagine a ton of people are going to pay the addtl money for them though. That would add up quickly.

 

[hsmamato2]

Really? It's not worth it for me. I have been squished in the middle seat more than once and I have handle that for a couple of hours. As long as my bags and I am on the plane, I don't really care where I sit.

agreed...what's a couple of hours sitting in a chair? this changes nothing for me....

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

agreed...what's a couple of hours sitting in a chair? this changes nothing for me....

Good attitude. Someone has to take those middle seats! As long as it's not me.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Interesting! With 3 of us usually traveling, I doubt I'd shell out that kind of $$, but I do like the idea of being guaranteed a certain range. I'm a bit soured on EBCI after our last experience so this sounds more appealing, except for the pricetag, lol. We bought tix in Feb. for an August flight, purchased EBCI at the time we bought the tix (so not a late add-on) and got in the B group.

 

[goofy4tink]

Good attitude. Someone has to take those middle seats! As long as it's not me.

Since I always have to take the middle seat when traveling with dd and dh, I always book a window seat when flying alone. And when I fly SW? I head right to a window seat, behind the wing area.

Interesting! With 3 of us usually traveling, I doubt I'd shell out that kind of $$, but I do like the idea of being guaranteed a certain range. I'm a bit soured on EBCI after our last experience so this sounds more appealing, except for the pricetag, lol. We bought tix in Feb. for an August flight, purchased EBCI at the time we bought the tix (so not a late add-on) and got in the B group.

When you fly to a popular family area, such as Orlando, you are going to find that there are a lot of others buying EBCI as well. So, this puts more and more people in the B group!!! Pretty soon all of the A and all of the B groups will be filled with EBCI people, and everyone else will be in the C group.
This is why I haven't bought EBCI for my flights to Orlando, but I do get it for my return....I hate having to worry about being close to a computer to check in at the 24hr window.