Southwest Airlines is introducing a no-show fee for its most restricted tickets that customers book and then fail to use.
“This should add ancillary revenue and promote customer behavior that allows us to resell the open seat prior to departure, so you have a double-win there,” said Robert Jordan, the company’s chief operations officer.
He said that the airline is still working on the timing, but will roll out this new fee some time next year. The airline will continue not charging a fee to change a ticket.
In addition, Southwest is increasing the EarlyBird check-in fee from $10 to $12.50.
Fees for oversized bags are going up on tickets booked after Dec. 15 for travel on or after Feb. 13. Any oversized bag and the third checked bag is now $75.
Jordan said the new fees should generate an additional $100 million in 2013.
Southwest still allows passengers to check their first two bags for free.
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