Southwest flaunts free bags as JetBlue starts charging
Southwest Airlines is hyping its status as the last remaining major airline not to charge for checked bags, with a cheeky swipe at rival JetBlue.
JetBlue yesterday said it would now start charging for bags after outlining a new bundled fare structure at an investor meeting.
Southwest was quick to take advantage with a Facebook post: "It’s easy to follow the crowd. Good thing we’re not the crowd #BagsFlyFree.”
Southwest chief commercial officer Bob Jordan followed it up with a blog post on the airline’s website saying: "Why hold out as the only carrier to not charge for the first two checked bags? Simple. Our customers hate those fees,” he said.
JetBlue earlier said travelers on the lowest fares will pay extra for bags, while the next fare up would allow one piece of luggage carried free and the top tier fare offers a free allowance of two bags per passenger.
The new fare types will take effect during the first half of 2015.
The New York carrier also said it will be squeezing an extra 15 seats on its A320 jets to further boost revenue.
The long term plan to boost shareholder returns will add an extra $400 million in income by 2017, it said.
"We believe the plan laid benefits our three key stakeholders," JetBlue President Robin Hayes said in a statement.
"It delivers improved, sustainable profitability for our investors, the best travel experience for our customers and ensures a strong, healthy company for our crewmembers."
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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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