Southwest Airlines begins free same-day standby for all tickets, limits EarlyBird Check-In

Zach Wichter, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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Southwest Airlines is adding some new features to give guests added flexibility while restricting some availability of another popular add-on.

Customers in the “Wanna Get Away” bracket can take advantage of free same-day standby as of Wednesday, according to the airline. This means all Southwest passengers will be able to move to other departures with open seats if their travel plans change.

“Currently, Rapid Rewards tier members and customers traveling on Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus fares have flexibility to list on a different flight free of charge on their day of travel,” the airline said in a press release. “This new offering expands the benefit to all Southwest customers.”

Southwest is also adding the ability to list for standby online or on its app. The option to request standby at the airport will remain.

Southwest's updated fare benefits explanation chart.
Southwest's updated fare benefits explanation chart.

The airline is also expanding its free internet offering to customers who purchase Business Select fares.

“A-List Preferred Customers already receive free Inflight Internet, and Customers who purchase Business Select fares will too, with the ability to connect up to three devices per leg for free when this offering launches,” Southwest’s statement said.

Other passengers will still need to pay $8 per flight for internet access.

Changes to EarlyBird Check-In

In addition to the updates to its fare classes, Southwest is also beginning to limit availability of EarlyBird Check-In on some flights as a standalone purchase.

"Beginning Aug. 15, EarlyBird Check-In will be subject to availability on certain flights, routes, or days, and that will mean EarlyBird Check-In is unavailable for some customers looking to purchase it," a Southwest spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement. "EarlyBird Check-In might not be available at any given time. If the EarlyBird Check-In standalone product is unavailable, customers still have an opportunity to purchase Business Select or Upgraded Boarding, both of which also are subject to availability."

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Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Southwest Airlines introduces free same-day standby for all passengers