As Airlines Charge Baggage Fees and Create Baggage Allowance Restrictions, Southwest Stands Out
Given that most airlines have been introducing new airline baggage fees and increasing restrictions on baggage allowance during the last year, you'd think that most corporate travel departments would be pushing back on the airlines and expecting them to waive airline baggage fees. However, according to a recent study by Business Travel News, only 12% raised this issue in 2008 and about 32% of corporate travel buyers are focused on this concern.
I recently spent a weekend in Las Vegas to check out how business travel and corporate event planning has been impacted there, and flew Southwest Airlines for the first time in many years. Although I've become accustomed to relying on other airlines for travel destinations in the U.S., it was refreshing to fly a domestic U.S. airline that incorporated the cost of up to two bags per person (50 lbs. max weight each) and the cost of snacks into the ticketed passenger price. While I recognize that it's a bit inconvenient to secure a seat by confirming the reservation exactly 24 hours prior to the flight (and book to the minute -- everyone else is), the result is more customer-focused. This definitely helps to differentiate Southwest among other airlines, which happens to have about 50% of its customer base with business travelers.
And while it is one of my goals to personally try to influence the airlines to eliminate this fee and go back to the days when the cost of an airline passenger seat incorporated what is now this separate line item (of course, never let the airlines convince you that passengers never paid for baggage), one lone business travel voice is never enough.
Learn more about airline baggage fees and airline baggage allowance programs.
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