Southwest Airlines is famed for not taking seat reservations, so getting a good spot in the boarding line can make a big difference in where you can sit. And now it’s going to be even more famous for a big hike in the fee it charges to jump the line.
The airline sells EarlyBird Check-in, which allows travelers to reserve a place in line and not have to hover over the airline’s app exactly 24 before hours the flight to determine their place in the queue. But since there’s no cap on the number of EarlyBirds Southwest sells, even paying can’t guarantee you won’t get a less-desirable seat. The fee used to vary between $15 and $25; now the top price will jump to $99, nearly a 400% increase.
For those with more cash and more desire to improve their chances, the airline also sells Upgraded Boarding, which guarantees one of the first 15 spots in line. That was priced at $25 to $80, but it will now range up to $149, nearly double the previous cap.
Southwest, which doesn’t charge for checked baggage can’t raise money by raising its bag fees as the other U.S. airlines did earlier this year, but it faces similar pressure to boost profits.
