Talk about some sky-high baggage fees. Furious Southwest Airlines customers are sounding off over the carrier’s controversial new policy — which critics have slammed as a so-called “fat tax” after one traveler was allegedly forced to cough up nearly $1,000 for a second seat. Earlier this year, Southwest Airlines enacted its eyebrow-raising policy change, requiring … Read more
This scuttlebutt is bad news for butts. Flying with Southwest Airlines could mean flying with the spills, fluids, flakes and grime left by the guy who sat in the seat right before you, per alarming claims that the company is planning to only clean “premium seats” between flights. Chris Click, a safety chair for the … Read more
Southwest’s new seating policy will just not fly. The airline continues to receive heat from furious travelers strongly opposed to the airline’s decision to end its open seating arrangements – with some branding the move a “disaster.” Fury is also mounting with the airline’s new booking system – with one traveler even comparing it to … Read more
Southwest’s oft-chaotic open-seating policy is finally coming to an end — and while some anxious flyers may rejoice in the move, experts say it’s a harbinger of worse to come for economy passengers. Flights departing on or after Jan. 27, 2026, will now have seat assignments for passengers, and Southwest will introduce group-based boarding similar … Read more
They’re flying high on this salary. An aviation enthusiast has taken to X to share a pay stub purportedly belonging to a Southwest pilot — and it shows the huge sum of money they made in 2025. Corbin Williams posted the picture on Dec. 23, although it’s unclear whether it was his own pay slip … Read more
You are now free to roam about the cat-bin. One furry flyer’s premature bid for freedom put a smile on a plane full of Thanksgiving travelers’ faces when it escaped his carrier and started wandering the aisles. Amid the commotion on board, the frisky feline was briskly scooped into the arms of a Southwest Airlines … Read more
Southwest Airlines has been making a range of changes, with the carrier now charging for checked luggage and eliminating its famous open seating policy in favor of assigned seats. From Jan. 27, 2026, passengers will now have assigned seats — but they’ll be boarding differently from most other carriers. Per the Wall Street Journal, Southwest … Read more
They’re pushing this makeover to the MAX. On Tuesday, Southwest Airlines finally revealed the revamped interiors of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes, complete with extra legroom. The redesign will roll out from Oct. 16, per a recent press release, marking a “major milestone” in the cabin overhaul of the aircraft, which Southwest has used … Read more
Plane passengers who use wheelchairs will soon have to take one more step before boarding. Southwest Airlines announced that anyone using a lithium-powered mobility device will have to remove the batteries and carry them into the cabin before checking in their wheelchair. The new policy, taking effect on Sept. 25, puts Southwest in line with … Read more
Southwest Airlines flyers are getting hooked up. Starting Oct. 24, the Dallas-based carrier will offer free in-flight WiFi across its fleet, doing away with its $8-per-flight fee for internet access. There’s one small catch — you need to be a Rapid Rewards loyalty member to get free in-flight WiFi. The move is part of a … Read more
This change didn’t sit well with some. Southwest Airlines’ popular “pick you own” seat perk isn’t the only policy on the chopping block. The budget carrier announced that a new measure that may require plus-size passengers to fork over extra dough. Starting January 27, 2026, flyers who “encroach upon the neighboring seat” will be required … Read more
Some Southwest Airlines customers are getting the hook-up.. Earlier this year, the airline announced major changes to end its decades-old “bags fly free” policy and to start assigning seats to flyers. Now, a positive change could be taking flight. Currently, the airline is testing free in-flight WiFi to members of its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, … Read more
Passengers aboard Southwest flight 1496 from Burbank, California to Las Vegas, Nevada, experienced a frightening few seconds when the aircraft took a sudden nosedive to avoid a midair collision shortly after takeoff. The dramatic maneuver caused passengers to fly up out of their seats and into the ceiling as children and adults screamed, fearing the worst. Two … Read more
Southwest Airlines has announced a major change coming to its current seating system. The Texas-based airline previously had a “pick any seat” policy, allowing customers to purchase tickets in different boarding groups by selecting where they wanted to sit upon boarding the plane. On July 29, Southwest will be assigning seats to customers booking flights beginning … Read more
They’re bagging this beloved rule. Southwest Airlines has ended its decades-old “bags fly free” policy, where passengers were allowed two complimentary checked bags regardless of their ticket fare. Starting tomorrow, passengers aboard the budget carrier will have to pay to store their bags in the cargo hold, One Mile At A Time reported. This drastic … Read more
They’re putting the squeeze on extra juice. Southwest Airlines is implementing a surprising new restriction on portable chargers to keep these notoriously incendiary devices from bursting into flame mid-flight. Starting on May 28, passengers will be required to keep their power banks in plain sight, making the budget carrier the first to roll out a … Read more
Their service ratings are taking off. According to JD Power’s 2025 North American Airline Satisfaction Study, overall passenger satisfaction is up six points from 2024 — and three airlines reigned supreme. Airline passengers have revealed that JetBlue, Delta Air Lines and Southwest provide the highest customer satisfaction rate. Passengers have revealed that JetBlue, Delta Air … Read more
She’s a mile-high roller. A Southwest Airlines flight attendant had viewers vowing to switch careers after she claimed she earned nearly $10,000 pre-deductions in a month while working the friendly skies. She detailed her enviable paycheck in a video with more than 10 million views on TikTok. “This was my gross pay,” gushed crew member … Read more
Southwest Airlines became the latest US carrier on Wednesday to withdraw its financial forecast as President Trump’s trade war has created the biggest uncertainty for the industry since the COVID-19 pandemic. With little clarity on how consumers will behave in the face of a potentially worsening economy, airlines are struggling to accurately forecast their business. Travel is a discretionary item for many … Read more
Southwest Airlines could lose a portion of leisure travelers to rivals with its latest decision to start charging for checked bags, according to an industry expert. It was a policy – along with open seating – that helped the carrier differentiate itself from its competitors for over 50 years and appealed to a wide range of budget-conscious … Read more