• USA Today, Thursday, November 8, 2007 12:31 PM

With competition intensifying among airlines for business customers, Southwest Airlines says it will actively court them by tweaking its long-standing policy of cheap fares and one-class service. CEO Gary Kelly says the airline will generate at least $100 million a year in additional revenue by raising last-minute fares and calling that category "Business Select." Customers who buy those tickets will get a place in Southwest's "A" boarding group.

Business Select customers will also get a complimentary cocktail and will be able to earn points faster in Rapid Rewards, Southwest's loyalty program. In another initiative aimed at attracting business travelers, Kelly said Southwest will start offering fare discounts to companies that sign bulk travel contracts.

Business Select fares will be $10 to $30 higher than Southwest's highest fares to this point. The carrier will still not assign seats as other airlines do, and its planes--all Boeing 737s--will retain one-class seating, with three seats across on each side of the aisle.

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