Southwest Airlines doesn't charge any frivolous fees for checking online, or checking-in at the airport or even for checking a first or second bag which means we have a whole lot of LUV for them. But we knew the time would come when they would have to tack on some fees where they could.
That's why the airline has announced that it will charge a $25 fee for any unaccompanied minor traveling on its flights. A UM is a child aged give through 11 traveling without an adult. CEO Gary Kelley writes on the Nuts About Southwest Blog:
Up to this point, we’ve been fortunate enough to offer this added service without a charge—even though we carry increasing numbers of Unaccompanied Minors each year—but we simply cannot afford to continue down this same path. There is a substantive cost associated with the extra care needed to safely transport unaccompanied children, including Employee time and administrative work, and these costs can not be ignored any longer, not in today’s economic environment.
The UM fee will start for folks booking tickets on June 1 and for travel starting June 17.]]>