Southwest Airlines Flights Are Now Available on Priceline

Key Points

• Southwest Airlines flights are now bookable on Priceline and other Booking Holdings platforms, expanding its OTA partnerships.
• The airline is shifting its distribution strategy, including ending its 'two bags fly free' policy and introducing premium seating.
• Southwest's partnerships with OTAs like Expedia and Priceline aim to increase indirect sales, but initial results have been mixed.

Summary

Southwest Airlines has expanded its distribution by making flights available on Priceline, following similar deals with Expedia and metasearch platforms like Google Flights and Kayak. This move is part of a broader strategy shift, which also includes new bag fees and the upcoming introduction of premium seating. While these partnerships are designed to boost indirect sales and reach new customers, Southwest has not yet seen the expected gains, prompting ongoing adjustments to its business model.