Southwest Airways was as soon as identified for its superb customer support.
Actually, JD Energy’s 2025 North American Airline Satisfaction Examine revealed that Southwest “ranks highest in customer satisfaction in the economy/basic economy segment for a fourth consecutive year.”
Southwest Airways could quickly lose that title, although. That’s as a result of the airline has carried out plenty of issues which have upset clients lately, together with:
- Eliminating its Baggage Fly Free coverage and charging for baggage
- Eliminating open seating in favor of assigned seating
- Altering its insurance policies for plus-size passengers
- Instituting new guidelines for wheelchair journey that make it tougher for some disabled individuals to fly
Issues have gotten so unhealthy {that a} Reddit poster began a thread asking, “Despite all the recent [negative] changes, is anyone else still sticking with SWA.” There have been only a few optimistic responses defending the airline.
Sadly, Southwest Airways’ newest coverage change is inflicting much more frustration, and it may imply that some persons are completely unable to fly the airline going ahead.
Southwest Airways makes a controversial snack change.
Scott Olson/Getty Photos
Southwest Airways change makes flying unattainable for some passengers
Southwest Airways lately unveiled yet one more new change impacting passengers. On its Instagram web page, the airline stated:
“Something Wonderful is coming in January! Are you Team Honey Roasted or Team Roasted & Salted? These new snack offerings will be available beginning January 27, 2026 to Customers enjoying an Extra Legroom seat.”
Associated: Southwest Airways cancels every day flights to main metropolis in March
The “wonderful” new snack that Southwest Airways touted was pistachios, and the Southwest Airways Instagram web page included an image displaying that passengers would have a alternative of flavors, together with:
- Honey-roasted pistachios
- Roasted & salted pistachios
Southwest Airways’ snack choice has upset many shoppers
Whereas Southwest Airways officers could have been excited to announce the change to its onboard menu, many flyers had been extraordinarily upset with the airline.
Actually, the primary response on the Instagram submit saying the Southwest Airways change raised a key difficulty that has many individuals up in arms. The Instagram remark stated:
This Instagram person was not the one one who was upset, both. Within the Southwest subreddit, a poster made a superb level concerning the choice, stating:
“Starting to wonder if Elliott has given up completely. No one will choose to fly Southwest because it offers pistachios, but plenty of people will now avoid it. Is their strategy now just to discourage passengers flying and auction off the planes?”
Southwest Airways’ coverage of serving nuts on board will make journey off-limits to some
Southwest Airways’ choice to supply pistachios is a puzzling one, as a result of pistachios are a tree nut, and thousands and thousands of persons are allergic to them. Actually, in line with Meals Allergy.org:
- 3.9 million individuals in the USA are allergic to tree nuts
- Tree nuts are one of many eight main meals allergens within the U.S. recognized as being accountable for a minimum of 90% of all critical meals allergy reactions (milk, egg, peanut, wheat, soy, fish, and crustacean shellfish had been the opposite seven)
Meals allergy symptoms can have devastating penalties, with Meals Allergy.org additionally reporting that roughly 3.4 million individuals go to the emergency room because of an allergic response annually in the USA.
Extra Airways:
- Airline cuts final flight into this US metropolis, refunds accessible
- TSA points stern warning on merchandise over 13 million People use
- Spirit Airways cuts extra flights and jobs amid second chapter
Which means as soon as each 10 seconds, an ER go to turns into mandatory because of an allergic response.
Nobody who has an allergy will wish to take an opportunity of a response within the air.
As an alternative, thousands and thousands of individuals with allergy symptoms – and their households – will now determine that Southwest Airways is off limits for them as a result of the airline has made the choice to serve a meals that would kill them.
Associated: Frontier Airways completely cancels all flights to main airport
