CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Passengers were disappointed to hear that Southwest Airlines would throw away its long-time “bags fly free” practice.
But after Memorial Day, only higher-tier Rapid Rewards loyalty members, business select ticket holders, or people with the airline’s credit card will have the fee waived entirely or only have to pay for one checked bag.
“I think it’s unfair to the customers,” said frequent flyer Alice Smith.
“It’s a high cost,” Henry Someillan said.
“That’s one of the best things about Southwest is, you know, two free bags,” Steven Miller said.
Miller says the free bag policy saved him hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
“I’m certainly going to have, and that’s one of my favorite airlines. And I think the seats are comfortable. And I liked it, and I haven’t been on there, I guess, like when they had the open seating too because I can always get on the first and get a window seat,” he said.
Executives say it’s part of an effort to increase revenue and return to profitability. They announced last year that passengers would have assigned seats, be charged extra for more space, and be offered red-eye flights.
“What that allows us to do is fund all of our growth over the next three years,” said Southwest CEO Robert Jordan. Southwest expects revenue per available seat mile will rise between two and four percent — but officials anticipate capacity to be down two percent.
Someillan says the news was awkward for him because it’s one more thing where consumers saw an increase.
“We’re tired of seeing things go up and up and up and up. And I think it’s time for companies to also help us save money. So I don’t think it’s the right time for them to do that right now,” Someillan said.
The cost-of-living adjustments have averaged a 2.6% Increase over the last decade. Labor officials report consumers paid three percent more for their items like food and energy over the past year, and now some economists are predicting a looming recession.
Mental health expert Dr. Charryse Johnson says constant change could negatively impact mental health.
“If you’re getting to a place where things are tighter, that also means you may not be able to be in connection with people the same way that you used to. Or you can even have some FOMO (fear of missing out) around other families that can make adjustments when you feel like you can’t. So it’s very layered and you can’t always see it, but it’s something that people feel and they’re trying to figure out, Am I going to be able to make it? So when there’s a significant change and you only have a small amount of money that’s going to last for a specific period of time that is extremely threatening to people on a daily basis,” Dr. Johnson said.
Dr. Johnson says the best way to cope is to work towards a plan.
“People can support themselves by budgeting, by looking for ways to adjust their spending, seeking alternative solutions to challenges such as how they might meal prep or honestly, if the cost of eggs is too much, what’s another form of protein that might be well within your budget and what to do there? So try to not stay in that place of hopelessness, but always consider What can I do? Or How can I join with other families so that we can all support ourselves through this time?”
