Southwest Airlines started a new method where travelers can get to the airline's "A" boarding group by paying an extra fee, according to a CNN report.
Southwest Airlines offers its customers a new way of purchasing "A" boarding group positions by paying an extra fee of $40 per flight, depending on the availability.
"At Southwest, we have developed boarding options that fit a variety of our Customers' needs-from EarlyBird Check-In to our Business Select Fare," said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Distribution, in a press release. "Offering Customers the option to improve their boarding position on day of travel is one more way we can offer the travel experience that best fits their needs."
The new option will only be available 45 minutes prior to boarding the flight. An announcement that will let the travelers know if any positions are available that can be purchased via credit card. The new method of boarding was first launched in San Diego last month and received a positive response.
"This is yet another of several recent attempts by Southwest to add peripheral fees so that it can raise revenues without tarnishing its image," Brett Snyder, president of The Cranky Flier, said in an e-mail. "Southwest's elite travelers won't like that people can buy their way to the front of the line, but it will be welcomed by those at the back. This is the first effort Southwest has made to allow people to better their position once they know their boarding number."
The new boarding option was launched in order to meet the airlines costs towards fuel and miscellaneous services without affecting the company's image.
