Southwest chases other add-ons besides bag fees

Southwest Airlines Co. is the only big U.S. airline that doesn't charge baggage fees, but that's not going to stop it from looking for other add-ons to sell to travelers, its CEO said on Thursday. Southwest reported a small third-quarter loss and said there's no rebound in sight for business travel. The vanishing business traveler has hurt revenue at all airlines. The blow has been cushioned by fees for things like checking bags and reserving the most desirable seats. Southwest has moved in that direction, too, and it isn't done. Gary Kelly, Southwest's chairman, president and CEO, said the most noteworthy new revenue would come through changes to Southwest's "Rapid Rewards" frequent flier program. He offered no details. But he drew a distinction between baggage fees, which he said are not really voluntary, versus a frequent flier program that people volunteer to sign up for.

- Associated Press