Frontier Airlines has introduced a promotion offering free checked baggage to passengers booking flights as a direct response to Southwest Airlines’ recent decision to end its long-standing “Bags Fly Free” policy. This promotion includes a free economy bundle for bookings made by August 18, applicable for flights from May 28 to August 18. Southwest announced changes to its baggage policy last week, which applies only to flights booked after May 28, allowing some fare types and reward members to still check one or two bags for free.
The adjustments at Southwest are attributed to significant cost pressures from new labor agreements and increased IT investments, and industry experts suggest pressure from investors may have influenced the decision. Despite substantial revenue generated by baggage fees—over $5 billion industry-wide in the first three quarters of 2024—Southwest has been noted for its lower bag fee revenue compared to competitors. Frontier’s promotion seeks to capitalize on this shift, reinforcing its value proposition as a budget airline.
Both airlines operate out of Long Island MacArthur Airport, and Frontier aims to attract passengers concerned about baggage fees now that Southwest has changed its policy. Andrew Forman from Hofstra University noted that budget airlines may be looking to offset potential revenue losses from free checked bags while simultaneously enhancing customer loyalty.
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