Southwest Airlines jets are seen parked at their gates in this file photo.ATLANTA – Southwest Airlines added Atlanta to its growing national route map Sunday, bringing its open seating and free checked bags policy to the world’s busiest airport after years of eyeing the area.
The Dallas-based discount airline launched 15 daily flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, including routes to Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Chicago; Denver; and Houston, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Southwest officials have wanted a launching pad to Atlanta’s airport for years, but the company couldn’t get a foothold in the market until it bought out AirTran Airways, a rival discounter that based much of its operations in Atlanta.
AirTran will continue flying about 170 daily flights from Atlanta for now, but later this year Southwest will begin to gradually absorb AirTran jets into its own fleet.
Some travelers who valued AirTran’s business class and assigned seats are frustrated with the airline’s loss because both of those perks will disappear when planes convert to Southwest’s all-coach setup with no seat assignments.