Southwest Airlines is launching a new reservations system Tuesday. While it won't give the airline's website, kiosks or reservation process a new look, you may still see some changes eventually.
Most of these changes impact employees and are not going to look any different to customers.
But the changes give the Dallas-based airline a lot more flexibility to act like the other airlines, and that could impact you.
First, the new computer system lets Southwest easily change the number of planes it flies every day.
Right now, they operate the same number of flights Sunday through Friday, and that's an issue on Tuesday and Thursdays when people tend to fly less. Now, the airline can cut back planes on those days.
Of course that means a possibility of fewer cheap Tuesday and Thursday fares.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
The computer system will also allow the airline to add red-eye flights, which could open up cheaper fares.
Southwest will be able to more easily handle cancellations, and they now have the technology to let you pay for more services like picking seats or bag fees.
Still, leaders at the airline have repeatedly said they have no plans to take away their current freebies.
