Southwest Airlines is planning to cut about one-third of its flights in Atlanta next year to save money, and employees affected by the change are furious. The cutback comes as Southwest management is under pressure from a hedge fund to increase profits and boost the airline's stock price.
Southwest Airlines is expected to say more this week about its major change to assigned seats. It’s part of a larger shift across the industry to maximize revenue, even if it makes boarding slower.
Southwest President and CEO Bob Jordan says research shows passengers “overwhelmingly prefer” an assigned-seat system. He also pledged to improve the airline's financial performance.
The extreme heat searing the U.S. this summer is having an unexpected consequence thousands of feet in the air: It's causing some beverage cans on Southwest Airlines flights to burst when opened.
The U.S. Transportation Department ordered Southwest Airlines to pay a $140 million civil penalty as part of an agreement over operational failures that stranded millions of passengers a year ago.
A major blizzard set off a series of issues last year that forced the airline to cancel more than 16,000 flights, stranding passengers across the U.S. Southwest says this year will be different.
No airline currently offers cash compensation in addition to refunds or amenities. The White House plans to change that. The move comes after a chaotic holiday travel season.
NPR obtained Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson's prepared testimony for his scheduled appearance before a Senate committee to discuss what led to thousands of flights being canceled.
In his State of the Union speech, President Biden addressed the Junk Fees Prevention Act, which aims to limit the hidden fees and charges that exist in the entertainment and travel industries.
The meltdowns that recently brought flights to a halt have prompted lawmakers to draft new rules for airlines. The changes would give travelers at least $1,350 if bumped from an overbooked flight.
The Department of Transportation says it is looking into the airline's flight scheduling practices and will hold it accountable for refunds. The 16,700 canceled flights cost Southwest $800 million.
The airline has promoted some senior-level officials after a historic failure that affected hundreds of thousands of passengers during peak holiday travel.
Southwest Airlines says disruptions that led to more than 16,700 cancelled flights over the holidays will have severe financial consequences for the company.
Southwest Airlines says it will award the travelers who were caught in the surge of canceled flights during the holidays 25,000 frequent-flyer points, an award worth more than $300 in flights.
