3
Credit: Inside the MagicA major United States airline has significantly raised some of its prices, impacting thousands of future Walt Disney World Resort vacations.
Southwest Airlines Significantly Raises Pricing for Millions of Travelers, Including Disney World Guests
Southwest Airlines has been in the news recently after ending a 50-year policy where travelers can no longer just pick up and pick any seat they want. Southwest Airlines has announced a significant change to its seating policy, marking a shift from its longstanding tradition.
Reports from FOX 13 in Florida and the Associated Press confirm that starting Thursday, July 25, the airline will begin assigning seats to passengers and introducing premium seating options with increased legroom.
This move breaks from the carrier’s 50-year practice of open seating. In other Southwest Airlines news, the company is causing an uproar across the vacationer community after they announced they would raise pricing on folks wanting to upgrade their boarding services when traveling to places like Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland in California.
Southwest Airlines has increased the cost of its Upgraded Boarding service, which ranges from $30 to $149 per segment, up from the previous range of $30 to $80. This service allows customers to secure an A1 to A15 boarding position starting 24 hours before a flight’s departure.
The EarlyBird Check-In service has also seen a price adjustment. It now costs between $15 and $99 one way, an increase from the previous maximum of $25. EarlyBird Check-In allows passengers to check in 36 hours before their flight, enhancing their chances of obtaining an early boarding position.
This price adjustment is part of Southwest’s efforts to enhance its financial performance, which has been lagging behind major U.S. competitors Delta and United. In April, CEO Bob Jordan indicated that the airline is exploring additional strategies to monetize its cabin services.
The recent price increase for Southwest Airlines’ upgraded boarding service could pose a challenge for travelers heading to destinations like Disney World and Disneyland. Upgraded boarding costs have risen to between $30 and $149 per segment from the previous range of $30 to $80. This change means passengers seeking to secure priority boarding and a better seat position will now face significantly higher fees.
The increased cost may strain travel budgets for families and budget-conscious travelers planning trips to popular theme parks. With many families already managing park tickets, accommodations, and other travel-related costs, the additional expense for priority boarding could lead to financial strain.
The airline’s decision to raise prices on this service reflects broader efforts to enhance financial performance amid competitive pressures. However, this increase could limit options and impact overall travel expenses for those planning vacations to major attractions such as Disney World and Disneyland.
With travel costs continuing to skyrocket, heading to your favorite places on Earth will be more difficult as time passes.
Disney is also increasing pricing for the 2025 fiscal year, attempting to regain some of the finances lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and the last few years, which have not been the greatest for Disney parks nationwide. Still, guests have been flocking to theme parks recently, even amid a “Disney Killer” theme park opening up in the heart of Orlando next year.