Major Airline Ends 50-Year Policy at All New England Airports

Time to pay more when you fly out of Boston Logan, Hartford, Portland, or whichever airport you choose in New England.

Just in time for those summer getaways, or any vacation for that matter, Southwest Airlines has always been a popular choice, but a policy change will hit your wallet now.

Cheap tickets and free checked bags help those who wouldn't normally vacay take advantage of fun trips. Or at the very least, those perks help save money for those who love to travel when they can.

However, the free checked luggage thing is literally a thing of the past, now.

According to the Explore website, you no longer get to check two free bags on Southwest Airlines.

Checking two pieces of luggage, per person, for free has been a long-standing practice for half a century, so this is a big deal.

And the hits keep coming, with more changes that will severely impact the excitement of saving money and earning travel rewards on Southwest.

Southwest introduced changes to its rewards systems by reducing the value of loyalty points on the lowest fares and adding expiration dates to flight credits. The airline is also implementing its own version of a basic economy class, which may mean smaller seats, no free snacks, more restrictions, less overhead bin space, and no mileage credit.

Also, according to USA Today, the open seating will end in 2026.

For decades, customers have enjoyed these now rare perks, but Southwest is undergoing a three-year transformation plan called "Southwest. Even Better."

Is this the beginning of the end for the budget airline? I suppose that just leaves Spirit Airlines, although it has been dealing with financial troubles.

At least starting next year, you don't have to get to Logan or Manchester-Boston super early to make sure you get the best seats.