Southwest Airlines is shifting away from its long-standing policy of offering two free checked bags per passenger. The airline’s CEO, Bob Jordan, revealed that many employees prefer this change, citing the increased job security and reduced workload it brings.
As part of its recent changes, Southwest will begin assigning seats to passengers starting later this year. This move is expected to improve boarding efficiency and reduce congestion at gates.
The policy change comes after research showed that 97% of customers were aware of the two-bag policy. Only select Southwest passengers, including credit card holders, will be able to check bags for free starting in May.
The decision is part of a larger effort by the airline to address pressure from activist investor Elliott and implement changes suggested by its employees. In January, the airline announced its first-ever mass layoff, affecting 1,750 corporate jobs.
CEO Jordan emphasized that the airline’s focus remains on its people, stating, “We love our people. We love each other. We’re a family.” The move is expected to have a significant impact on passengers, who will now need to pay for checked bags starting in May.
Source: https://airlinegeeks.com/2025/03/12/southwest-ceo-employees-want-assigned-seating-paid-bags