Southwest is gearing up to lose a lot of customers.
Yesterday, the commercial airline informed flyers that, beginning in May, it will abolish its two-fee checked bag policy. This is another significant change the airline announced last year. In 2024, they also shared that in 2026, they will be getting rid of their open seating policy.
So, what’s the reason the beloved airline is making all of these changes? It comes down to the fact that they want to make more money.
In a press release announcing yesterday’s newest change for Southwest flyers, the company said that it is “implementing new initiatives that support business objectives.” That’s a lot of corporate words for “we are going to make as much money as we can off customers.”
“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect. We will do all this while remaining focused on what’s made us strong—our People and the authentic, friendly, and award-winning customer service only they can provide.”
Customers who are members of the airline’s Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred tier and customers who book Business Select tickets will still receive free checked bags. However, starting on flights booked on or after May 28, everyone who selects the “Wanna Get Away, “Wanna Get Away Plus,” or “Anytime” tiers will have to pay for their checked bags.
Naturally, there were many angry Southwest customers after this news was announced, but one segment of their customers who is especially p*ssed is the musicians. Southwest was the most cost-effective way for them to fly, given the bags full of gear that musicians have to fly with.
“Southwest Airlines has single-handedly killed the independent music artist today.”
Mark Taylor posted a viral video explaining why this change is so detrimental to musicians.
“Why is this important? Why does this matter to you? So obviously, independent artists are not the only people traveling on Southwest, but I’m going to highlight this right now. Next time you go to a show and you’re complaining about, ‘Why are tickets so expensive? Why are ticket fees expensive?’ Thank Bob Jordan. He’s a part of the problem right now. I’m going to run y’all through some numbers because this was the last thing that allowed independent artists to tour and to make a couple of dollars on the road. Now, our margins are gone because of Bob.”
Taylor then breaks down how he and his five-man band travel. Everyone often brings two bags on the road, which are filled with mixers, mic stands, speakers, pedal boards, guitars, and more. He notes that this is the bare minimum they travel with when touring.
“So Southwest has not announced how much they will be charging for bags just yet. If they go with the industry standard, which, according to CNBC, is $35 for the rest of them, that’s eight bags that I have to pay for because I get two for free with A-List preferred. There are eight bags that I have to pay for per leg of the flight. Thirty-five times eight is $280 per leg of the flight. So then, coming back each way, each trip is going to be $560 plus tax, which comes out to about $600. Added per trip.
So if we are going up to play a show, that’s an extra $600 that now I have to pay. It’s like flying two more people up there, which is ridiculous; we can’t make money anymore on this stuff.”
Taylor then puts that into perspective, breaking down what it cost them to play a show last year when flying on Southwest with their two free checked bags. A show cost him and his band roughly $3,100, and adding the additional $600 brings their total to over $3,700. Taylor also points out that this number is before they pay for merch, venue fees, or merch splits. And this is all before anyone is actually making money; that’s what it takes to get to the show and staff it.
Given the increase in what it takes for artists to get to a show, Taylor points out that all the things fans pay for will drastically increase for them.
Not to say that an artist is paying this much for a local show, but we all know that to get your name out there, you have to hit all corners of the United States to project your sound to as many listeners as possible. And this new fee tacked onto their airfare will heavily impact their ability to do that.
Since the announcement, I have seen many other smaller artists post about their disappointment in Southwest for this change. Many independent artists filled up the comments section, praising Mark Taylor for this breakdown and transparently telling fans why this is such a big deal.
Check out a few of the comments left on his post.
“Spot on, Mark. It’s insane.”
“They killed my spirited SW TRAVELING HEART TOO. I’ve been saving points for retirement, and I’m crushed.”
“They also just lost a lot of customers.”
“This is right after they said the complimentary checked bags policy wouldn’t be changed.”
“As much as I love touring and hate to play Broadway- it’s almost at the point that every road show comparison. Now, you can make more money in town. Sacrifices to just be in front of people and do what you love to do, sell your soul on covers or go in the hole on the road. Unreal.”
“Traveled about 14 times back and forth last summer for shows, had to check my pedalboard and guitar, always chose Southwest because it’s saved me probably 200 round trip. Thanks, Southwest, for ruining this for everyone.”
“Wowwww see ya Southwest. and thanks for reciprocating the love for a lifelong flyer.”
Take a note from the Reeves Brothers and tape those things up:
@thereevesbros Stay safe out there… #countrymusic #airlineguitar #bellbottomcountry #outlawcountry #fyp #foryoupage ♬ original sound – The Reeves Brothers
