UPDATED: Southwest Adds $40 Fee For Early Boarding

Every day it seems like Southwest airlines is moving more and more in the pay for services model. Today the announcement was made that the discount airline would be implementing a new option for their passengers on the day of departure, early boarding.

The service, which would be $40.00, would allow individuals to board the flight early and bypass the zone system of boarding that Southwest is famous for. The interesting thing is the option will only be available at the gate on the day of departure and agents will only start selling the option at 45 minutes before the flight.

It will be interesting to see if this is going to be the new trend for Southwest.


UPDATE: A good friend correctly pointed out that I didn't have all of the info here and helped me clarify.

It appears that the early boarding option will be in to the "A" Boarding Group slots that are traditionally for "Business Class" customers. The option to board early will only be available IF there are spots left (i.e. If the Business option isn't sold out).


Here is the full announcement from Southwest:

Southwest Airlines Offers New Boarding Option

Southwest Airlines Customers LUV the coveted "A" boarding group, and now they have one more way to be among the first to board.  Beginning today, Southwest Airlines will offer Customers the opportunity to purchase one of the earliest boarding positions at the gate for $40 per flight, when available.

"At Southwest, we have developed boarding options that fit a variety of our Customers' needs—from EarlyBird Check-In to our Business Select Fare," said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Distribution. "Offering Customers the option to improve their boarding position on day of travel is one more way we can offer the travel experience that best fits their needs."

This new boarding option will only be offered at the gate on the day of travel, beginning 45 minutes before the flight departs.  Customers will hear an announcement in the gate area and will be able to purchase an available boarding position via credit card from a Customer Service Agent. Customers will only have the opportunity to purchase these positions if available. The airline successfully tested this new boarding option in San Diego last month, and received positive feedback.