Issue Summary

Many airlines, like many people, become more resistant to change as they age. Take Southwest, now in its 40s. Many of its policies and practices are no different now from when it was a high-flying youngster: It still doesn’t charge for bags, still doesn’t charge for ticket changes, still doesn’t offer assigned seating, still doesn’t fly anything but B737s, still doesn’t have a premium class, still doesn’t sell through online travel agencies and still doesn’t interline or codeshare with other airlines.