In The Know - Short's August 2025 News

Our external newsletter is your go-to for the latest travel news. Be sure to check it out every month to stay in the know!

INDUSTRY NEWS

Southwest Updates Bag Fees for Groups

Beginning January 26, 2026, Southwest Airlines will implement new bag fees for group travel. This marks a shift from their long-standing free baggage policy and aligns with changes already applied to individual travelers.

For groups, checked baggage fees will now apply in the same way they do for individual tickets. Travelers and coordinators should plan accordingly when budgeting and preparing for upcoming trips.

📎 Learn more:

• Group Travel Checked Bag Policy

• Individual Checked Bag Policy

Changes to Southwest Customers of Size Policy

Southwest Airlines has had a long-standing policy designed to meet the seating needs of Customers who require more than one seat. Note: Any Customer traveling on an itinerary that includes a partner carrier and who cannot be safely accommodated in a single seat will be required to purchase an additional, non-refundable seat. You must contact the partner carrier to complete the purchase.

Southwest® flights with open seating (those departing on or before January 26, 2026)

Customers who encroach upon the neighboring seat(s) should proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional seat is available. The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats; you may review information about the width of Passenger seats. In addition, Southwest® may determine, in its sole discretion, that an additional seat is necessary for safety purposes. Southwest will refund the extra seat purchased upon request once travel is complete. After travel is complete, please request your refund. An additional seat purchased by a Customer traveling on an itinerary that includes a partner carrier is non-refundable..read more 

DHS Ends ‘Shoes-Off’ Travel Policy 

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy which will allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints.

The new policy will increase hospitality for travelers and streamline the TSA security checkpoint process, leading to lower wait times.

“Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” said Secretary Noem. “We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience. As always, security remains our top priority. Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards. This initiative is just one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher in the President’s vision for a new Golden Age of American travel"...learn more 

Clear Partnering with TSA, Unveils New Biometric 'e-gates' at 3 Major Airports

​​​The security screening company Clear is officially unveiling new biometric e-gates at three new U.S. airports Tuesday in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration.

TPG got an exclusive first look at the new gates in action at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) during the testing phase earlier this year, which also included Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in South Carolina. Now, these gates are going into official service at these airports, plus three other major airports: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

The new gates are already in place at ATL, debut next week at DCA and the week of Aug. 31 at SEA...read more

TRAVEL TIPS

Labor Day 2025 Travel Expected to Break Records: What to Know

Gearing up for one last summer getaway? You won’t be alone. Record crowds are expected on the roads and at the airports for Labor Day Weekend, as Americans coast-to-coast eye one last vacation for the season. But there's some good news: the cost of flights, hotels, car rentals and gas prices are lower and the TSA is rolling out major changes to speed up the process at security checkpoints at some airports...read more