Two free checked bags on all tickets. You’ve gotta appreciate that…
Another quarter in the books, another aggressive push by the bloodhounds of Wall Street, yet Southwest and JetBlue have stayed true to customers, once again. As airlines reap record profits, like 4.6 billion in checked baggage fees, by U.S. airlines alone, pressure mounts to maximize the favorable trade winds buffeting U.S. airlines. Despite the unprecedented pressure, JetBlue and Southwest seem cool as a cucumber, sticking with the “secret sauce” that’s made them traveler favorites…
Alaska Airlines was the revered mainstream alternative to Delta, American and United. The airline offered a powerful loyalty proposition, with extremely valuable points and passenger friendly fee structures, only rivaled by JetBlue and Southwest. But then, seemingly overnight, they uprooted virtually each and every facet of their offering which made them unique. In one foul swoop, the airline added basic economy, cut live TV and discontinued their generous 60 day “free change” policy. Suddenly, Alaska looked a lot like Delta, United and American, and their new $125 + fare difference fees did too. Delta, American and United each collude charge $200 change fees plus any fare difference on domestic tickets.
Two airlines, and for now, only two, continue to defy analysts and industry trends. JetBlue doesn’t charge customers for standard seat assignments, and Southwest hasn’t changed their (love it or hate it) boarding group method. JetBlue has caved slightly, charging between $75-$125 change fees, while Southwest continues to offer free changes, just charging the fare difference. JetBlue continues to lead the list of U.S. airlines in legroom (seat pitch), while Southwest continues to shine, offering not one, but two free checked bags. Both airlines have also embraced loyalty programs which require very little tinkering. You can use your points any time, you know how much they’re worth and there’s really no arbitrage play, so you never worry if you’re getting truly decent value. In addition to these powerful value propositions, they’re the two airlines which consistently offer the most frequent fare sales. It’s perhaps also worth noting that while Delta, United and American continue to offer true “flat bed” business class on only a variety of routes, JetBlue is offering “Mint Class” at astoundingly good rates, on oodles of flights.
American Airlines made headlines this week as the first of the “evil big three” to roll back the policy of restricting basic economy passengers from bringing full sized carry ons. American clearly went too far, and the indignity and inconvenience these fares brought to passengers proved to hurt business. If air travelers approached loyalty as logically as they do dining out, it’s fair to say that even greater numbers would begin to shift many of their short haul, intra U.S. journeys to the airlines that offer the greatest value for dollar. If you’re a traveler who needs checked bags, there’s no better airline in the U.S. than Southwest. If you’re a traveler who values legroom, and reasonable fees for same day changes, JetBlue offers the most legroom and same day changes are always $75, unless you’re flying on a flex fare, when they become free. If legacy airlines wish to make travel about price, they better worry when the other guys win that battle, and the amenity proposition as well.
What do you think of JetBlue and Southwest in the current U.S. airline climate?
Featured image copyright: T. Fallon / Getty Images.
Every airline has its pros and cons.
Let’s take southwest. Worst same day standby policy ever. Must pay a full difference in fare. Not exactly business traveler friendly. (Yes, they allow Alist Preferred to go earlier, but only 2 hours and there’s few markets this applies to).
Southwest and Jetblue won’t rebook you on other airlines if things go bad. Trust me, this has cost me a lot!
Both of these airlines have some of the worst on-time performance per the DOT and cancel more flights than most airlines.
Southwest doesn’t have TVs or won’t give you a decent size beverage unless you beg the flight attendant. No power ports nada.
Southwest keeps devaluing their rapid rewards points almost every year, even though its revenue based. Sounds a lot like a legacy.
Southwest has some of the highest fares available; their fares are rising faster than any other airline. Not exactly free bags when the fare is hundreds of dollars more.
Southwest is no savior.
all American airlines are horrible – personally can not see any significant difference – they all offer poor service and rubbish ( and quite often – disgusting ) food – even in business or first class; they can not compete with ANY European airline – not to mention Middle East and Far East ones..its a total disaster, personally avoid whenever I can
That’s mostly correct and European full service airlines are often much cheaper than the three domestic ones. The only exception is premium cabin seat size. Business class on most European full service airlines is just a main cabin seat, no more width or leg room, the only difference is there is no middle seat. US domestic business sears though not as big as they are on international flights are much larger. Then again US domesticate flights are much longer in general. In Europe there aren’t that many flights much over 2 hours and a. Hour forty five get you between Paris and Berlin