It's been a rough month or so for Southwest.
First, the airline tried to get in on the bidding for the bankrupt Denver-based Frontier Airlines. But a dispute about how seniority among pilots would play out in a merger squashed the deal, making Republic Airways the victor in the Aug. 13 auction.
On Aug. 22, the airline became embroiled in a maintenance mess by failing to use parts approved by the Aviation Administration on about 50 planes in its fleet. The particular part involved is designed to deflect hot engine exhaust away from the wings. So not an inconsequential piece. Southwest contended that the parts problem was the result of a paperwork error by a subcontractor. Boeing, the maker of the 737 jets flown by the airline, said the unapproved parts would not affect the safe operation of the planes. The FAA agreed and said that Southwest could have until Dec. 24 to replace the parts with ones that are FAA-approved. After the ruling, some critics of the FAA lashed out, saying the agency is perhaps a little too cozy with the airlines it oversees.
Last week, Southwest announced it was cutting back some flights early next year because of shifts in seasonal demand. Most of the changes are temporary suspensions that will resume in spring.
And a few days later, Southwest introduced a new "customer convenience" that just may symbolize the beginning of fee creep. The airline is offering "EarlyBird Check-in" to passengers who pay an additional $10 each way. The new service lets fliers board the plane right after Southwest Business Select customers and Rapid Rewards A-listers - and even ahead of families. However, Southwest won't guarantee that you'll get an "A" pass by paying the fee - what if everyone on the flight paid for the upgrade? Still, Southwest has been holding the line on fees. Unlike most airlines, it doesn't charge for checked baggage, but lately other fees have been popping up, leading some to wonder if more fees are on the horizon.
This week may not offer Southwest any respite. On Wednesday, the airline faces more competition at BWI-Marshall Airport as JetBlue begins flights from Baltimore to Boston. Last week, JetBlue had a one-day sale with $19 one-way fares from Baltimore. It looks like it's got game.
