‘Flying for Peanuts’ writer Frank Lorenzo reveals what he has discovered within the business on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
Southwest Airways on Thursday introduced adjustments to its longtime enterprise mannequin within the hopes of reversing turbulence from declining earnings and a sinking inventory worth.
The Dallas-based service is pivoting from the so-called open seating mannequin, charging a premium for the perfect seats, and providing red-eye flights, the airline mentioned in a press launch.
“We’re now ushering in a new era at Southwest, moving swiftly and deliberately to transform the Company by elevating the Customer Experience, improving financial performance, and driving sustainable Shareholder value,” mentioned Bob Jordan, Southwest’s president, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board, in a press release.
The airline described the overhaul as an “evolution” spurred by buyer surveys in regards to the altering wants and expectations of vacationers.
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Southwest Airways mentioned most of its prospects surveyed need to know their seat assignments as a substitute of selecting amongst open seats as they board the aircraft. (Kevin Carter/Getty Photographs, File / Getty Photographs)
Southwest mentioned that 80% of its prospects surveyed need their seat assigned earlier than arriving on the airport relatively than choosing a seat once they board. The airline expects to function flights beneath this new mannequin within the first half of 2026.
For vacationers with a desire for additional legroom, Southwest mentioned it’s going to permit prospects to buy premium seating choices whereas sustaining normal financial system seating.
Southwest mentioned that its “bags fly free” coverage will stay unchanged. ( Scott Eisen/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs, File / Getty Photographs)
Well-known for its “bags fly free” coverage, which permits prospects two free checked baggage, Southwest confirmed that there shall be no adjustments to the favored function.
“Extensive research reinforces Southwest’s bags fly free policy remains the most important feature by far in setting Southwest apart from other airlines,” the corporate mentioned.
Southwest hopes to drive shrinking earnings with the introduced adjustments. (Picture by DANIEL SLIM/AFP by way of Getty Photographs, File / Getty Photographs)
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Southwest mentioned it expects to start providing red-eye flights in “key markets” starting in February 2025. The corporate didn’t specify which markets within the press launch.
The adjustments come because the airline is going through strain to spice up earnings from activist investor Elliott Administration.
Ticker Safety Final Change Change % LUV SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. 31.14 +2.75
+9.69%
The service’s chief working officer, Andrew Watterson, notified staff in a Sept. 19 video that adjustments have been coming to the corporate, Bloomberg reported, citing a transcript.
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“There are some difficult decisions coming as well,” he additionally mentioned, telling workers that “bigger changes for some cities” that have been “not city closures” are coming.
