First came assigned seats. Then checked bag fees. Up next: a move to traditional boarding groups. Southwest Airlines is reversing course on yet another key promise it made in the not-so-distant past.

Southwest Airlines is studying changes to its quirky boarding and seating policies as it ... the airline began charging an extra fee — called EarlyBird — to move up in the boarding line.

Southwest Airlines is considering changes to its quirky boarding and seating practices Southwest Airlines plane prepares to land at Midway International Airport, Feb. 12, 2023, in Chicago.

Southwest Airlines has quietly increased the prices of ... “Upgraded Boarding” now comes in at $30 to $149 per passenger per segment — up ... bumps passengers ahead in line for boarding.

Instead, every passenger receives a boarding position at check-in. Southwest flights are boarded by lettered groups (A, B, and C), and there are up to 60 positions in each group.

Southwest Airlines has come under fire in the past few months for making a number of changes like ending free bags and ...

Southwest Airlines reveals timeline for ending open seating, changing boarding process The airline earlier this year it would get rid of its popular "open seating" model and start assigning seats ...

In 2009, the airline began charging an extra fee — called EarlyBird — to move up in the boarding line. The fee starts at $15 per flight but goes up when planes are full.

In 2009, the airline began charging an extra fee — called EarlyBird — to move up in the boarding line. The fee starts at $15 per flight but goes up when planes are full.

In 2009, the airline began charging an extra fee — called EarlyBird — to move up in the boarding line. The fee starts at $15 per flight but goes up when planes are full.