Southwest Airlines announced “new benefits” for Southwest Business, its corporate travel program, with the introduction of Business Priority and NDC connectivity. Designed for corporate travel programs, said the announcement, these new offerings provide eligible business travelers with day-of-travel assistance and allow greater flexibility and choice to access Southwest content through participating third-party booking tools.
Aileen Furlong, vice president of sales, said, “Southwest is focused on elevating the travel experience to meet the expectations of today’s and tomorrow’s business customers through initiatives like assigned and Extra Legroom seating, cabin upgrades, including in-seat power, Starlink ultra-fast WiFi, larger overhead bins and international partnerships[HC1] .” Southwest Business, she said, “is building on that by making it easier for corporate buyers to access these enhancements through expanded distribution options and priority travel from booking to boarding.”
Beginning in early 2027, Southwest’s new Business Priority product will become available as an option for inclusion in corporate travel agreements for qualified customers. Business Priority will aim to give business travelers of companies who receive its benefits access to preferred reaccommodation[HC2] , standby and boarding benefits that deliver greater flexibility and confidence on the day of travel.
The airline is introducing NDC capabilities, said the announcement, to provide new connectivity options and ensure that customers have access to Southwest’s fare products and seating ancillary services in the channels they use every day. This new direct-connect option is expected to be available to partners by the end of 2026.
Additionally, Southwest has selected Amadeus Altéa NDC, the Amadeus solution enabling personalized and enriched offers for customers and their travelers through the third parties of their choice, including the Amadeus Travel Platform. This option is expected to be available later in 2027. These NDC enhancements, said the announcement, reflect Southwest’s commitment to delivering modern technology solutions across all channels, “giving customers and partners reliable access to consistent fare content, preferred seating products, and travel management capabilities.”
[HC1]I had a little trouble following this. Might semicolons help?
[HC2]I don’t know what this means.
