Excerpts from a WSJ article this week:

"The Montreal-based airline's lowest fare, known as Tango, buys just "a seat" on an airplane, Mr. Brewer said. It's assigned at check-in. The additional services available at added cost include in-flight food and beverages and the ability to choose a seat or change flights. Higher fare classes come with different levels of amenities included, from seat selection and meals to frequent-flier miles and the ability to change flights without charge.

Being able to customize the flying experience fosters customer loyalty and drives costs lower, Mr. Brewer said.

He also said the airline's "pass" products, which allow customers to purchase bulk tickets at a discount on selected routes in selected regions, are increasingly popular -- and that 90% of customers who buy one end up buying another"


So, one model for SWA would be to assign all seats. (I think there has also been some TSA pressure to do this). If you pay more, you get your seat earlier than others. Your boarding pass still has A, B, or C grouping, with the extra fee Customers always in the A group. Otherwise, the group you are in is a function of whatever boarding model SWA thinks is most efficient. Customers will still line up for cattle call to get overhead bin space. The boarding process might go faster than today. And, spinners would be eliminated as well as problems with the thru count.

This model could also reduce the number and types of pre-boards. If you want to make sure the family who travels together sits together, you pony up the extra $$.

Herb and Colleen have always been big on egalitarianism (As is Fred Smith at FedEX btw). Not sure where GK stands on this issue except that recent quotes and articles seem to indicate that more fees are in our future.

I found the bulk purchase option at Air Canada intriguing for those SWA Customers that fly the same route a lot.