What AirTran Is Teaching Southwest Airlines About Fees
Skift Take
Southwest has no imminent change in policy in the works regarding fees, but that doesn't mean that it considers having no bag fees its religion. The airline is willing to mull policy changes if it determines that a big switch would be in its interests.
As Southwest Airlines integrates merge-partner AirTran, Southwest is seeking to make "assessments and judgments" about AirTran's fees.
Some may interpret that as an ominous development from the largest domestic carrier in the U.S., Southwest, which has made its name and won marketshare by refusing to charge fees for the first two checked bags or for change fees.
As AirTran has been raising its bag fees ($25 first, $35 second) and change fees ($150 after August 20), S
