Southwest Airlines slammed as ‘tone deaf' for social media joke
Let the lesson be learned, social media managers: There is a time and place for jokes.
This apparently was not one of those times.
Southwest Airlines has been catching heat for its recent policy reversal. 'Allowing bags to fly free' has been a marketing tool of the company for years, but as announced earlier this week, that will no longer be true for customers purchasing the lowest-priced plane tickets.
The change begins on May 28. The airline will continue to offer two free checked bags to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members as well as passengers flying on Business Select fares. One free checked bag will be allowed for A-List Members, while one checked bag will be credited for Rapid Rewards Credit Card members.
It's not clear how much it'll cost to check bags.
While customers reacted to the policy change, the Dallas-based airline took a shot at its hometown NBA team.
'It's not like we traded Luka,' an Instagram post from the Southwest Airlines account reads.
That swipe is in reference to last month's shocking NBA trade between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers that sent superstar Luka Doncic to L.A. The trade, much like the new Southwest policy, was not well received by fans in the Dallas area.
And now, the airline, which has also announced mass layoffs in the last month, is taking some punishment online.
'This is incredibly tone deaf,' a comment reads from Instagram user gkrisanic. 'I've been a loyal Southwest customer and a RR cardholder for years, but now I'm going to be exploring other options after all of these policy changes. There is really no reason to fly SW now, especially when I can find a more convenient direct flight on another airline. Super disappointed in y'all.'
'Taking a screenshot of this as it will be the thumbnail for the Harvard business review case study of destroying a brand and an entire company,' said user rappid_exposure.
'Air balling a joke like this after laying off [nearly 1,800] people is crazy,' said adamchernandez.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Buss Family to See Astonishing Profit After Record-Setting Sale of Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers set yet another record on Wednesday, June 18, in what's become a lengthy line of making a variety of notable sports history, with the Buss family somewhat stunningly selling the storied franchise that the late Dr. Jerry Buss originally purchased for $67.5 million in 1979. Now, 46 years later after what proved to be a franchise-altering moment that saw the Lakers go on numerous NBA Championship runs, hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy a whopping 11 times under Buss ownership, the legendary family is about to see a patently ridiculous profit after selling the team to Mark Walter, the current owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Advertisement With ESPN's Shams Charania dropping the news bomb late Wednesday afternoon, the Buss family sold its 66 percent majority stake in the Lakers for "a valuation of approximately $10 billion," Just as Charania did in his followup post on X, it certainly feels like a number worth repeating: Ten. Billion. And as Sportsnaut quite specifically noted, this record-setting Lakers sale "represents a staggering return on investment for the [Buss] family at 14,714.81%." Considering the Buss family will also maintain a minority share of the team at "just over 15% for a period of time," in addition to Jeanie Buss reportedly staying on as Lakers' governor—a role she's held since ownership was kept in the family following Jerry's passing in 2013—that is one hell of a win and a payday all while the 63-year-old will still hold a significant influence on the direction of the franchise. Advertisement If that $10 billion valuation number hasn't resonated just yet, keep in mind that the Boston Celtics, an equally iconic and deeply treasured NBA franchise, sold earlier this year for "only" $6.1 billion. It's also worth noting that Walter, the new majority owner of the Lakers, had already purchased a 26 percent stake of the team back in 2021 and held first right of refusal if the Buss family were to ever sell its majority stake in the franchise. On Wednesday afternoon, the man who's proven to be a fearless owner when it comes to spending and securing top MLB free-agents ever since taking a majority stake in the Dodgers in 2012, finished off the deal with the Lakers that began four years ago. It would be sincerely shocking if Walter and his ownership group didn't set out to do with the Lakers exactly what they've aggressively done with the Dodgers, which should serve as exceptionally great news for fans of the purple and gold. Advertisement Related: Jordan Spieth Chose an Extremely Relatable Outing After U.S. Open Struggles Buss Family to See Astonishing Profit After Record-Setting Sale of Lakers first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 19, 2025
USA Today
27 minutes ago
- USA Today
Podcast: Live reaction to Rockets trading for Suns star Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant, a perennial All-Star, former NBA MVP, and future Hall of Famer, will play for the Rockets. Sunday's The Lager Line podcast reacts to Houston's blockbuster trade with Phoenix. The Phoenix Suns are trading superstar forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-round picks, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Sunday. Due to the inclusion of Green, the deal cannot be finalized until July, since it requires waiting until the young guard's elevated 2025-26 salary is on the books. A 6-foot-11 forward, Durant averaged 26.6 points (52.7% FG, 43.0% on 3-pointers), 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last season, and he earned All-Star honors for the 15th time in his Hall of Fame career. The former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) turns 37 years old in September, and his current contract runs through next season. The Rockets are coming off a 52-30 season and a No. 2 finish in the Western Conference, and their hope is that the addition of Durant will lift them into title contention next season. With that in mind, Sunday's rapid-reaction episode of The Lager Line (sponsored by Karbach Brewing and hosted by Rockets podcasters Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves) explores all of the deal's key takeaways and future implications. Tune in! More: Rockets trade for Kevin Durant in deal involving Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, draft equity
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
NBA trade reaction: Rockets, Rafael Stone praised for Kevin Durant deal
The reaction across the NBA was largely positive in the aftermath of Houston's blockbuster trade agreement to acquire Suns star Kevin Durant. The Phoenix Suns are set to trade two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-round picks, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Sunday. Those five second-round selections include the No. 59 pick in 2025; two choices in 2026; a 2030 selection via Boston; and a 2032 pick from Houston. Because of the inclusion of Green, the deal cannot be finalized until July, since it requires waiting until his higher 2025-26 salary is on the books. A 6-foot-11 forward, Durant averaged 26.6 points (52.7% FG, 43.0% on 3-pointers), 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last season, and he earned All-Star honors for the 15th time in his Hall of Fame career. The former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) turns 37 years old in September, and his current contract runs through next season. Early indications are that he plans on extending that deal in Houston. So, for the Rockets, it's a clear upgrade to a young team that finished 52-30 last season and with the No. 2 overall seed in the Western Conference. With that in mind, the post-deal reaction from NBA media and fans was largely positive. Here's a sampling of what we saw on social media, with plenty of praise for Rockets general manager Rafael Stone. Rafael Stone, Elite Negotiator? Kevin Durant's Houston Connections Suns Criticized for Deal Rockets' Ticket Sales to Spike? More Houston Trades Still Possible Magic Johnson, Stephen A. Smith Impressed 2025-26 Rockets: Scary Good? Projected Starting Lineup for Rockets Kevin Durant's Winning Impact Stephen A. Smith Wants Russell Westbrook in Houston Dillon Brooks to Phoenix Rockets Legend Vernon Maxwell Predicts 2026 NBA Finals More: Rockets trade for Kevin Durant in deal involving Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, draft equity
