Bob Jordan travel tips

Southwest Airlines wants to help travelers get away this winter by offering a nationwide sale that has one-way flights starting at just $39.

Airlines are canceling thousands of flights this long weekend as millions are under a severe storm watch due to an arctic blast expected to bring below zero temperatures, heavy snow and blustery winds. 

Southwest Airlines experienced an epic meltdown last holiday season due to its outdated technology. Though it avoided any problems this year, there is still one issue it can’t avoid.

The Department of Transportation has ordered Southwest to pay a $140 million fine for numerous consumer-protection violations that resulted from last year’s holiday travel meltdown. 

With holiday travel coming up, travelers may be thinking back to last year, when a spate of severe winter storms grounded flights across the country just around Christmas, and an operational meltdown at Southwest Airlines dragged on for nearly a week after.

As millions of passengers begin to fill airports for the 2023 holiday season, Southwest Airlines is still facing consequences for last year's holiday travel meltdown. The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a record $140 million fine against Southwest on Monday, while also introducing new consumer protections and enforcements to help avoid another meltdown, which left thousands of flights canceled and passengers across the United States stranded, from happening again.  “We’re pleased to have reached this consumer-friendly settlement, which includes a new, industry-leading policy to compensate Customers during significant delays and cancellations,” Southwest Airlines shared in a statement about the settlement.  After the holiday travel meltdown of 2022, the Department of Transportation conducted an extensive investigation which found the airline failed to provide prompt refunds and general service to «hundreds of thousands of Southwest customers».  As a result of the investigation, the Department of Transportation says that Southwest will be financially responsible for at least $750 million which includes refunds, future compensation for tickets, and more. In addition to the fine and payments, the DOT enforcement also requires that Southwest establish a $90 million reserve fund for future flight delays and cancellation.  “This industry-leading benefit will ensure that Southwest passengers impacted by any future significant disruptions will receive not only flight rebooking, hotels, and food during the delay, but also timely compensation from Southwest due to the inconvenience,” the DOT release shares.  Looking ahead to the holiday travel season that is currently underway, Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan said the airline is “absolutely ready” in a recent interview, and that the airline has taken many steps to ensure reliable air service,  Airline passengers this holiday can also utilize new tools from the Department of Transportation, including an interactive dashboard which shows their rights when flying.  “For those who are planning to fly.

With nearly 40 million people slated to fly during the holidays this year, airlines are preparing for what could be one of the busiest holiday travel seasons on record. 

Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan vowed Christmas travel would be smoother this year following last year’s meltdown that saw thousands of flights canceled and customers stranded.

Airlines in the United States are expecting very busy, and even record-breaking, holiday traffic this year as the Christmas and New Year’s holidays approach.

‘Tis the season for planning an epic winter getaway and Southwest is helping by offering one-way flights starting at just $39.

Southwest Airlines doesn’t operate red-eye flights, but that may soon change.

Southwest Airlines planes at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)?

Next week, airline industry leaders will gather for the fourth annual Skift Aviation Forum in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 1. CEOs and leaders from American, Southwest, United, Alaska, Sun Country, JetBlue, Delta, Airbus, Boeing, and Air Lease Corporation will share their views on the future of industry with editors on stage.

Set your course for a captivating aviation event in Fort Worth, where aviation leaders and visionaries will guide you through the latest trends and game-changing developments in the industry.

Skift Aviation Forum is just around the corner, and it promises to feature a lineup of can’t-miss visionary aviation industry speakers who are shaping the way we experience and navigate the world.

Two months. That’s how long Southwest Airlines expects there to be an impact on bookings from its massive holiday meltdown that disrupted millions of travelers over Christmas and New Years.

Southwest Airlines has put an initial number to the losses incurred during its holiday meltdown: a $725-825 million hit to its pre-tax income in the fourth quarter. That number includes both $400-425 million in lost revenue and added costs, for example reimbursing people for alternative travel costs.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, January 3, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Southwest Airlines was up and running on a normal schedule on Friday after a massive winter storm crippled operations this week and exposed problems at the low-cost carrier.

Southwest Airlines capped off its 2022 with the unenviable distinction of cancelling more than 15,000 flights in total during the week of Christmas, the result of a system failure caused by several issues that were exacerbated by a nationwide winter storm.

U.S. Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell on Wednesday said the panel intended to hold hearings after Southwest Airlines’ recent meltdown that led to nearly 16,000 flight cancellations in the week ending Dec. 29.