The post referencing the Luka Doncic trade came after the airline had received backlash for its decision to change its longstanding policy of "bags fly free."
DALLAS — Dallas-based Southwest Airlines deflected some backlash and threw some shade at the Dallas Mavericks on social media amid the public response by the airline to end its "two bags fly free" policy.
The change came as a shock to many travelers who fly Southwest because of the longstanding policy. WFAA spoke to industry expert Steve Cosgrove, who said he believes the changes could impact passenger loyalty, especially for those flying through Dallas Love Field, Southwest’s home base.
"People would drive to Love Field even if DFW was better or more convenient because they had the free bag option," said Cosgrove. "They don’t have that now."
Southwest officials in the release said the changes are "aimed to deepen and reward loyalty between Southwest and its most engaged Customers."
“We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future customer needs, attract new customer segments we don’t compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect,” Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said in a press release. “We will do all this while remaining focused on what’s made us strong—our people and the authentic, friendly, and award-winning customer service only they can provide.”
Many travelers WFAA spoke with were not happy with the change and said it will make them reconsider flying with Southwest again.
On Thursday, Southwest Airlines responded to the backlash with a social post that essentially throws shade at the Mavericks and that public relations nightmare post-Luka Doncic trade.
"It's not like we traded Luka… 👀," Southwest Airlines said on Instagram.
Ouch.
The post then goes on to pitch to customers "why you're still going to love flying with us" despite the recent bag policy changes. The post details the intricacies of how Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members still get two free bags and A-List Members get one free checked bag.
The post concludes by saying what hasn't changed is the "Southwest Hospitality that you all know and love."
Based on the reaction to the post, it didn't fly (pun intended) with many commenters.
"This is such a tone deaf post on the heels of destroying your brand identity and alienating your loyal customers," one of the most-liked comments read.
"This kinda feels like gaslighting lol," said another top-liked commenter.
37 comments
No reason to fly southwest now
So tone deaf
Too Soon
LOL. Dallas is cooked
This feels like getting your pay docked but your boss throws a pizza party to compensate.
Customer service doesn’t put money in my pocket, Bob.
Billionaires ruining every staple in Dallas
Tbh 2 Free bags > luka doncic
Good one, but I think but not 100% that SW did get bought out by some firm that have a history of maximizing asset value aka killing a company for profit.
You know it’s bad when a airline is started to deflect blame l9l
Free bags was literally the only reason to fly Southwest. Everything else about the airline is bad.
Dodging baggage fees are like the only upside to Southwest
The base fares aren’t even cheaper than United or American anymore
This is a prime example of why some businesses need to put handcuffs on their social media team. Horrible deflection.
Outjerked by Southwest Airlines
Trump’s PR team gonna steal that one
“But Luka weighs more than 2 free bags” – Nico
The things that made Southwest stand apart are now gone. Not having assigned seats was legit and the free bags were the main draw. If they aren’t the cheapest airline then what’s the point of booking them now?
Dallas is just cursed this year
This is literally like saying “we know we messed up but look someone messed up worse than us”
Also being a Dallas based company and saying this is just insult to injury.
They’re cooking themselves
Except it is exactly like trading Luka
im going to start using that defense at work.
Southwest gives out these really good peanuts and pretzels though. airline food hits different
I read the headline and figured it was a story from The Onion.
This is actually hilarious. I know folks in Dallas would gladly pay for every bag if they could go back in time and not pay Luka
Southwest is overpaying its hand. The only reason people fly with them is their pricing and their perks. Once you become like everyone else people aren’t going to put up with unassigned seats and bare bones when they can get a better deal on other national carriers
No point in even flying southwest anymore then tbh.
I’m not sure which is worse, both are cheating their customers now and indefinitely while trying to convince them it’s a good thing
Nah trade Lamelo Im not paying for a bag
Company worth billions of dollars is squeezing more out of their customers and their response to the criticism is a shitty “yeah but the mavs” joke.
Canceling my SW credit card now. Oh well. Plenty of other options to fly now that they eliminated their only differentiator
“aimed to deepen and reward loyalty between Southwest and its most engaged Customers.”
HR speak is the worst thing in the fucking universe man that made my blood boil
big “don’t you guys have phones?” energy
Annoying because they’re fucking us and trying to be funny about it
They’re just expensive Spirit now
Changing the bag policy is worse.
Actually it is very comparable to trading Luka, free bags was the only way to justify their high prices in comparison to full service carriers. Now they are just an expensive airline with no star differentiator.
Mavs traded away their top 3 player in the league for nothing, southwest got rid of their top differentiator for nothing.
gorgeous
This sub sure is good at beating a dead horse. Tired of these Luka posts