As airlines continue to add fees, Southwest has joined the trend by raising the price for early boarding.
Since 2016, Southwest passengers have been able to secure an earlier boarding position by purchasing the EarlyBird option when checking in via the airline’s app or online. Previously a flat $15, the service now costs between $15 and $25 depending on the flight.
The price of EarlyBird boarding varies based on factors such as flight length and how popular the option is on a specific route or departure. On busier or longer flights, travelers can expect to pay toward the higher end of the range.
Southwest still offers perks many travelers appreciate, like two free checked bags and no change fees on most fares, but the carrier is expanding ancillary revenue from add‑on services such as EarlyBird to help offset competitive pressures and revenue shortfalls caused by lower fares elsewhere in the market.