No change planned to free bag policy, Southwest says
Southwest Airlines has reiterated its stance on no bag fees, saying it has no plans to change policy in the foreseeable future.
Speaking at a transportation industry conference, chief financial officer, Tammy Romo said Southwest’s financial performance, along with customer feedback, show the airline’s ‘Bags Fly Free’ campaign is a key differential in a competitive market.
"I think our customers are voting with their wallets, they’re voting to fly Southwest Airlines," Romo said.
"I’m very delighted to be an outlier if it produces the financial results that we need.”
Southwest, which carries more domestic passengers than any other US carrier, became the last major airline not to charge fees after JetBlue announced last year it would charge bag fees after pressure from investors.
Major airlines generated $2.65 billion in baggage fees during the first nine months of 2014, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
During this period Southwest made just $62 million in fees for excess baggage – for passengers checking in more than two items – and for overweight or oversize bags.
In contrast Delta Air Lines passengers racked up fees in excess of $655 million.
"It’s very difficult in any industry to really find a way to differentiate yourself, and I think we’ve actually done that here at Southwest Airlines,” Romo added.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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