CEO: Southwest Could Charge Bag Fees

Southwest Airlines could one day charge bag fees for its customers, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The paper reports that during an earning conference call Thursday, CEO Gary Kelly said that passengers are becoming more accepting of the practice, and he’s open to charging luggage fees in the future.

Kelly also reportedly said passengers may even prefer an ‘a la carte’ approach, where the ticket price is lower but passengers pay for add-ons, like checked bags.

Passengers at Love Field on Friday were not too happy about the idea.

“That’s one of the best things about Southwest, passengers have that sense that this company isn’t trying to nickel-and-dime us,” said passenger Mary Roberts, waiting in the check-in line with her two bags.

“Look, I wouldn’t stop flying Southwest. I’d pay the fees. But it’s definitely frustrating. Southwest was supposed to have our backs. They were on our side,” she added.

Southwest is one of the only airlines that doesn’t charge a checked bag fee.

The WSJ reports Kelly said the airline will not charge for bags in 2014, but it could be coming after that.

NBC 5 reached out to Southwest Airlines representatives for a comment about the report but did not hear back before press time.

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