FLYERS have raged as Southwest Airlines could drop the popular free bag perk that set it apart from other carriers.
The aviation company has made several changes to its customer-friendly policies following a leadership shakeup.
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Southwest had been the only carrier in the US to not charge flyers for a certain number of bags.
Customers can bring a carry-on bag to a flight free of charge and are entitled to two checked bags.
This major benefit could be ditched as an investor in the company hits an ownership threshold that would allow them to make changes to the business, according to the MailOnline.
Elliott Investment Management increased its shares in Southwest Airlines to 10%.
This has meant these investors can call a meeting to discuss the proposition.
Elliott Investment Management recently sent a letter to the airline Board that detailed a desire to make changes to increase profits.
The free bag entitlement has set Southwest apart from other airlines for years.
Companies like American Airlines, United and Delta have all charged passengers for checked luggage and sometimes for extra carry-on items too.
Southwest also recently announced a major shake-up to its unique seating policy.
The carrier had become known for its open-seating model that allowed people to sit wherever they wanted on a plane for over five decades.
The airline revealed that it would introduce assigned seats and premium seating options, which would align it with other carriers.
Some loyal customers have begged the airline to avoid making these changes and stick to its old unique rules.
Flyer Ryan revealed that these perks had made him a loyal passenger in the first place, according to a X post.
“@SouthwestAir open seating and no checked bag fees are the reason we fly SouthWest,” he said.
Ryan shared a warning on how this change could affect passenger loyalty.
“Please don’t cave in to the liberal billionaire hedgefund, you WILL go bankrupt,” he added.
“We will not follow you down that hole. My family flies SW exclusively.”
Another flyer questioned the airline over the reported bag change and seating policy adjustment.
“Your customer friendly skies are now hostile investor driven decisions,” this person wrote in a X post.
The airline responded to this message and explained that the seating change followed research that “clearly indicates a desire for assigned seating.”
“But how about bags fly free? Tell me that is not about to change,” the flyer said in response.
“You are no longer any different from AA, Delta, or United. Greed instead of customer satisfaction.”