Massive Changes Underway For Airline Serving Albany International Airport

Using the word 'massive' to describe the changes coming to an airline serving Albany International Airport may seem a little dramatic.

But when it comes to travelers' favorite and the reasons why so many folks choose to fly with them, the changes are pretty big. As a Southwest passenger, yes, I love their great customer service and great flight options out of Albany.

But 2 of the main reasons most prefer to fly Southwest are seeing some changes.

Southwest Has Begun To Charge For Checked Baggage, More Changes Coming

When Southwest first announced last year it was going to start charging for checked baggage, I couldn't believe it would actually come to fruition. It's always been one of the great perks of flying the airline and a big customer draw.

According to a CBS report, Southwest started charging the following fees for checked bags on flights beginning Wednesday, May 28th: $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second.

Under the previous policy, 2 bags could be checked for free. There are, however, some exceptions to the new policy. CBS says Southwest "...Business Select/Choice Extra and A-List Preferred customers will receive two free checked bags, while A-List and Chase Rapid Reward credit card members will get one free checked bag."

For Southwest diehards, there is another big change on the way. Choose your own seating has always been a staple for Southwest passengers, and that will give way to assigned seating in early 2026  with "premium seating" options according to USA Today.

While the assigned seating is not a deal breaker for me as a flier (Assigned seats may actually improve the Southwest boarding process), the baggage fees are a big one. While there is a workaround for the new fees with the various Southwest loyalty programs, it is another big cost for less frequent travelers.

On one hand, this could drive customers to try another airline. The baggage cost savings always made Southwest the most attractive option. But I will say one feather that remains in Southwest's cap is its superior customer service versus other carriers.