Southwest Airlines is changing the benefits of its fare classes and plans to offer more flexibility to travelers. The Dallas-based low-cost carrier announced on Thursday that it will soon update its booking process and give passengers the ability to fly standby for free.

Standby allows travelers to switch to other flights with open seats if their plans change. With the update, however, the airline will also limit a popular upgraded boarding service on select flights beginning next week.

“All Southwest customers”

Southwest outlined the changes in a press release obtained by USA TODAY. The carrier said all passengers can take advantage of the free same-day standby offering regardless of their fare class.

“Currently, Rapid Rewards tier members and customers traveling on Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus fares have flexibility to list on a different flight free of charge on their day of travel. This new offering expands the benefit to all Southwest customers.”

In addition, the airline is adding the ability to join a flight’s standby list online or through its mobile app, while the option to request standby availability through a gate agent at the airport remains.

Southwest also allows same-day flight changes as long as there is an open seat and the passenger’s origin and destination are the same. With the same-day change and same-day standby options, the airline said passengers must change their flight or request to be added to the same-day standby list up to 10 minutes before the original scheduled departure time.

Same-day changes and same-day standby availability are free of charge in all fare classes except its cheapest, “Wanna Get Away,” where passengers in that bracket will have to pay the fare difference for each. While travelers initially purchasing “Wanna Get Away” tickets would be saving money, they would likely pay more should they choose for flexibility in the long run.

Southwest did not specify when the changes would take effect.

Free inflight internet

In its highest fare class, “Business Select,” a new benefit is being offered. According to USA TODAY, Southwest will expand free internet to passengers with tickets in the bracket.

“A-List Preferred Customers already receive free Inflight Internet, and Customers who purchase Business Select fares will too, with the ability to connect up to three devices per leg for free when this offering launches,” the airline explained.

Photo: Angel DiBilio/Shutterstock

All other passengers will have to pay $8 for WiFi connectivity onboard. While the new changes primarily offer more flexibility, it seems only travelers that choose a higher-priced fare class at the time of booking will benefit.

Less EarlyBird availability

Amid the update, Southwest, in a surprising twist, will also limit its popular EarlyBird Check-In amenity, which offers a better boarding position by automatically checking in passengers 36 hours before their flight. In a statement to Simple Flying, the carrier said the adjustment will be implemented next week.

"On Aug. 10, we shared with our Employees that beginning Aug. 15, EarlyBird Check-In® will be subject to availability on certain flights, routes, or days, and that will mean EarlyBird Check-In is unavailable for some Customers looking to purchase it."

It is unclear if this is the beginning of phasing out the service altogether, but nonetheless, the adjustment negatively impacts “Wanna Get Away Plus” and “Wanna Get Away” travelers. The cost for EarlyBird ranges from $15-$25 one-way per passenger.

"Many initiatives are underway across the Company to modernize the Customer Experience and win more Customers. This focus brings an opportunity to evolve our fare and Ancillary Products, while maintaining the value they bring to our Customers," the airline concluded.

Sources: USA TODAY