Why Southwest is still melting down
1 year, 11 months ago

Why Southwest is still melting down

CNN  

New York CNN — It’s Thursday. Southwest said that prior to the storm last week, staff levels at the Denver airport became so low that it enacted “operational emergency” staffing procedures. Southwest’s “point-to-point” model involves planes flying consecutive routes and picking up crews at those locations. “That is a tedious, long process.” Watterson noted that manual scheduling left Southwest building an incredibly delicate house of cards that could quickly tumble when the company encountered a problem. “So, we spent multiple days where we kind of got close to finishing the problem, and then it had to be reset.” In reducing the company’s flights by two thirds, Southwest should have “more than ample crew resources to handle that amount of activity,” Watterson said.

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History of this topic

US travel chaos: Thousands stranded due to Southwest Airlines system outage
6 months, 3 weeks ago

US travel chaos: Thousands stranded due to Southwest Airlines system outage

Hindustan Times  

ht newSouthwest Airlines experienced significant travel disruptions across the United States on Tuesday due to a computer system outage, marking the second major incident of this kind within four months. The glitch, which was attributed to a firewall failure, forced the Federal Aviation Administration to ground all Southwest flights temporarily, affecting thousands of travelers. Thousands of passengers across US were …

Holiday travel is mostly nice, but with some naughty disruptions again on Southwest Airlines
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Holiday travel is mostly nice, but with some naughty disruptions again on Southwest Airlines

Associated Press  

Conditions were mostly nice this year for travelers flying ahead of and on Christmas, but some naughty disruptions again plagued those flying with Southwest Airlines. For this holiday season, U.S. airlines prepared for massive waves of travelers by hiring thousands of pilots, flight attendants and other workers — in an effort to avoid the delays and cancellations that marred travel …

Busiest holiday travel season in years is off to a smooth start with few airport delays
1 year ago

Busiest holiday travel season in years is off to a smooth start with few airport delays

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The holiday travel rush hit its peak Friday as mild weather and lower flight cancelation rates raised hopes for merrier drivers and airline passengers than last year. U.S. airlines are predicting a blockbuster holiday season and have projected confidence they can handle the crowds after hiring thousands of pilots, flight attendants and other workers, seeking to avoid …

Ready, set, travel: The holiday rush to the airports and highways is underway
1 year ago

Ready, set, travel: The holiday rush to the airports and highways is underway

Associated Press  

It’s beginning to look a lot like a hectic holiday travel season, but it might go relatively smoothly if the weather cooperates. He added, however, that winter weather “will certainly be a challenge in the next few weeks.” Canceled flights surged last year, as airlines were caught short-staffed when travel rebounded from the pandemic more quickly than expected. After struggling …

Southwest passengers face delays after nationwide grounding
1 year, 8 months ago

Southwest passengers face delays after nationwide grounding

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Southwest Airlines planes were briefly grounded nationwide Tuesday for what the airline called an intermittent technology issue, leading to more than 2,200 delayed flights just four months after the carrier suffered a much bigger meltdown over the Christmas travel rush. “Southwest has resumed operations after temporarily pausing flight activity this morning to work through data connection issues resulting …

Southwest is adding deicing trucks after December breakdown
1 year, 9 months ago

Southwest is adding deicing trucks after December breakdown

Associated Press  

The CEO of Southwest Airlines pushed back Tuesday against the view that his airline’s December breakdown was caused by a failure to invest enough money in crew-scheduling technology, instead blaming extremely cold weather that forced it to stop flying at some airports. Southwest said it is buying more deicing trucks and lining up additional deicing pads at key airports and …

US airlines cancel over 1,400 flights as ice storm hits multiple states from Texas to West Virginia
1 year, 10 months ago

US airlines cancel over 1,400 flights as ice storm hits multiple states from Texas to West Virginia

Firstpost  

Nearly 1,467 flights within, into or out of the United States were cancelled, while 527 more flights were delayed as of Wednesday morning, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware Washington: Multiple airlines cancelled over 1,400 flights in the United States on Wednesday, after an ice storm hit states from Texas to West Virginia. Nearly 1,467 flights within, into or out of …

US airlines cancel over 1,000 flights over winter storm
1 year, 10 months ago

US airlines cancel over 1,000 flights over winter storm

Firstpost  

Washington: More than 1,000 Monday flights into or out of the United States have been canceled due to a severe winter storm, with about half of those coming from Southwest Airlines Co. A total of 1,019 flights were cancelled as of 6.00 pm ET, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. Low-cost carrier Southwest earlier this month faced US government backlash for …

Over 1,000 US Flights Cancelled Due to Winter Storm, Southwest Airlines Worst Hit
1 year, 10 months ago

Over 1,000 US Flights Cancelled Due to Winter Storm, Southwest Airlines Worst Hit

News 18  

More than 1,000 Monday flights into or out of the United States have been cancelled due to a severe winter storm, with about half of those coming from Southwest Airlines Co. A total of 1,019 flights were cancelled as of 6:00 pm ET, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. Low-cost carrier Southwest earlier this month faced U.S. government backlash for cancelling …

US investigating December flight cancellations at Southwest
1 year, 10 months ago

US investigating December flight cancellations at Southwest

Associated Press  

DALLAS — The U.S. Transportation Department said Wednesday it is investigating whether Southwest Airlines deceived customers by knowingly scheduling more flights in late December than it realistically could handle. “DOT is in the initial phase of a rigorous and comprehensive investigation into Southwest Airlines’ holiday debacle that stranded millions,” the department said in a statement. Southwest said its holiday schedule …

Can Southwest Airlines recover from a holiday meltdown of its own making?
1 year, 11 months ago

Can Southwest Airlines recover from a holiday meltdown of its own making?

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But Southwest Airlines experienced a network-wide collapse that left passengers, pilots and planes even in sunny and warm locations unable …

Southwest’s strong 2022 rebound soured by holiday debacle
1 year, 11 months ago

Southwest’s strong 2022 rebound soured by holiday debacle

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Southwest Airlines is anticipating a money-losing fourth quarter after a winter storm and technology meltdown led to nearly 17,000 canceled flights and stranded hundreds of thousands of holiday travelers. The airline said that expenses increased due to reimbursements to customers for out-of-pocket costs — the company has promised to cover “reasonable” bills for hotel rooms, meals and alternate …

At Southwest Airlines, a day of calm after a week of chaos
1 year, 11 months ago

At Southwest Airlines, a day of calm after a week of chaos

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Southwest Airlines returned to a relatively normal flight schedule Friday, as the focus shifts to making things right with what could be well more than a million passengers who missed family connections or flights home during the holidays, and many of whom are still missing luggage. “I’m still reeling from the experience,” said Theresa Kraus, arriving home Friday …

Southwest says ‘normal’ services to resume on Friday as DOT sends warning
1 year, 11 months ago

Southwest says ‘normal’ services to resume on Friday as DOT sends warning

CNN  

CNN — Southwest Airlines says it’s set up to resume normal schedules on Friday after a tumultuous eight days that left hundreds of thousands of passengers delayed or stranded and prompted its executives to make apologies to the riding public and government officials. “I’m looking to make sure they actually do that, and if they don’t, we are in a …

Southwest flight upheaval a ’system failure,’ U.S. says
1 year, 11 months ago

Southwest flight upheaval a ’system failure,’ U.S. says

Live Mint  

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday ratcheted up pressure on Southwest Airlines, saying thousands more cancelled flights indicated a system failure at the low-cost carrier. but also things like hotels, like ground transportation, like meals because this is the airlines' responsibility," he said, adding that he had spoken to the company's leadership. U.S. airlines had cancelled thousands of flights …

How Southwest failed the holidays: Four charts explaining the cancellations
1 year, 11 months ago

How Southwest failed the holidays: Four charts explaining the cancellations

CNN  

CNN — A blast of severe winter weather last week caused thousands of Southwest Airlines flight cancellations and spiraled into a complete meltdown of its flight system. Since Dec. 22, the beleaguered airline has canceled more than half of its typical flight schedule, and by late Wednesday about 87% of all canceled flights in the US were from Southwest alone, …

Southwest Airlines flight cancellations continue to snowball
1 year, 11 months ago

Southwest Airlines flight cancellations continue to snowball

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Travelers who counted on Southwest Airlines to get them home suffered another wave of canceled flights Wednesday, and pressure grew on the federal government to help customers get reimbursed for unexpected expenses they incurred because of the airline’s meltdown. “I’m starting to feel homeless.” By early afternoon on the East Coast, about 90% of all canceled flights Wednesday …

Southwest Airlines flight cancellations continue to snowball
1 year, 11 months ago

Southwest Airlines flight cancellations continue to snowball

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Families hoping to catch a Southwest Airlines flight after days of cancellations, missing luggage and missed family connections suffered through another wave of scrubbed flights, with another 2,500 pulled from arrival and departure boards Wednesday. In a video that Southwest posted late Tuesday, CEO Robert Jordan said Southwest would operate a reduced schedule for several days but hoped …

'Insanity...': US health expert on Southwest Airlines memo amid staffing crisis
1 year, 11 months ago

'Insanity...': US health expert on Southwest Airlines memo amid staffing crisis

Hindustan Times  

was epidemiologist and health economist Eric Feigl-Ding's baffled response to last week's memo by Southwest Airlines - the United States-based airline forced to cancel over 10,000 flights leading up to the Christmas weekend after a winter storm wreaked its flight and employee scheduling networks. A board displays flight statuses after almost all of Southwest Airlines flights were cancelled at Oakland …

Southwest Airlines cancels more flights, draws federal investigation
1 year, 11 months ago

Southwest Airlines cancels more flights, draws federal investigation

Firstpost  

Southwest Airlines scrubbed thousands of flights again Tuesday in the aftermath of the massive winter storm that wrecked Christmas travel plans across the US, and the federal government said it would investigate why the company lagged so far behind other carriers. Dallas: Southwest Airlines scrubbed thousands of flights again Tuesday in the aftermath of the massive winter storm that wrecked …

‘System failure’: US blames Southwest Airlines for meltdown
1 year, 11 months ago

‘System failure’: US blames Southwest Airlines for meltdown

Al Jazeera  

US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigeig says mass flight cancellations are not merely a ‘weather-driven issue’. The administration of US President Joe Biden has called the meltdown that led to the cancellation of thousands of flights at Southwest Airlines a “system failure”, blaming the company itself for the crisis. “So what this indicates is a system failure, and they need …

Holiday Hell: How Southwest Airlines' ‘full-blown meltdown’ created travel chaos in US
1 year, 11 months ago

Holiday Hell: How Southwest Airlines' ‘full-blown meltdown’ created travel chaos in US

Firstpost  

Southwest Airlines, one of the world’s biggest low-cost carriers and the inspiration for IndiGo, cancelled around 2,900 flights on Monday. This, after US airlines cancelled 3,900 flights with Southwest Airlines – one of the world’s biggest low-cost carriers – accounting for 2,900 of these. “Our customers struggled with it just as our thousands of flight attendants did.” Montgomery in an …

3,900 Flights Cancelled in US Amid Severe Winter, Passengers Stranded as Southwest Airlines Call off Most Flights
1 year, 11 months ago

3,900 Flights Cancelled in US Amid Severe Winter, Passengers Stranded as Southwest Airlines Call off Most Flights

News 18  

More than 3,900 flights in the United States have been cancelled on Monday and more than 8,000 flights had been delayed amid severe winter weather. Southwest Airlines blamed the widespread disruption on recent “extreme winter weather,” saying snow and cold temperatures last week forced changes to flight schedules “at a volume and magnitude” still having repercussions Monday. The US airlines …

Stranded Southwest fliers face days of waiting as anger, scrutiny over meltdown grow
1 year, 11 months ago

Stranded Southwest fliers face days of waiting as anger, scrutiny over meltdown grow

LA Times  

Travelers stranded by the meltdown at Southwest Airlines face days of waiting as the airline struggles to rebuild systems battered by holiday storms and faces growing anger and scrutiny from Congress and federal regulators about how the debacle happened. In a video posted to Twitter shortly after 5 p.m., Jordan apologized and said the airline is doing everything it can …

The blizzard is just one reason behind the operational meltdown at Southwest Airlines
1 year, 11 months ago

The blizzard is just one reason behind the operational meltdown at Southwest Airlines

NPR  

The blizzard is just one reason behind the operational meltdown at Southwest Airlines Enlarge this image toggle caption Eugene Garcia/AP Eugene Garcia/AP The cliché about a "perfect storm" could hardly be a more apt description of the situation right now for Southwest Airlines — a carrier that has been forced to cancel more than 60% of its flights over the …

Mass Southwest Airlines cancellations strand travelers, cause chaos at airports
1 year, 11 months ago

Mass Southwest Airlines cancellations strand travelers, cause chaos at airports

LA Times  

Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,900 flights Monday, disrupting holiday plans across the country, stranding passengers and causing chaos at some airports as much of the nation continued to suffer through the after-effects of a historic winter storm. The airline blamed the extreme weather for the cancellations, adding in a statement “our heartfelt apologies for this are just beginning.. We …

Southwest loses $278M in Q1 but sees profitable rest of 2022
2 years, 7 months ago

Southwest loses $278M in Q1 but sees profitable rest of 2022

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Southwest Airlines lost $278 million in the first quarter but said Thursday that it expects to be profitable for the rest of the year because of surging demand for travel. Southwest said its workforce grew by 3,300 people in the quarter, and CEO Robert Jordan said the airline was still “intensely focused” on hiring and training workers heading …

Dozens of flights canceled at LAX as airlines continue to struggle with bad weather, crew shortages
2 years, 11 months ago

Dozens of flights canceled at LAX as airlines continue to struggle with bad weather, crew shortages

LA Times  

Icy weather to the east combined with COVID-driven crew shortages Sunday to cause the cancellation of more than 120 flights into and out of Los Angeles International Airport, continuing a holiday period of disruption at airline hubs around the nation. LAX spokesman Heath Montgomery said 123 flights had been scratched by midday, a number that could rise before the end …

Southwest limits canceled flights after 3 tumultuous days
3 years, 2 months ago

Southwest limits canceled flights after 3 tumultuous days

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Southwest Airlines flights appeared to be running closer to normal on Tuesday after the airline canceled nearly 2,400 flights over the previous three days. Southwest maintains that bad weather and air traffic control issues in Florida on Friday triggered cascading failures in which planes and pilots were trapped out of position for their next flight. “We were significantly …

More Southwest Airlines flight disruptions follow a weekend of cancellations
3 years, 2 months ago

More Southwest Airlines flight disruptions follow a weekend of cancellations

NPR  

More Southwest Airlines flight disruptions follow a weekend of cancellations Enlarge this image toggle caption Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images Southwest Airlines travelers are facing another day of disruptions. The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association said on Sunday that "there are no work slowdowns or sickouts either related to the recent mandatory vaccine mandate or otherwise." …

Southwest canceled more than 2,000 weekend flights and the disruption continues
3 years, 2 months ago

Southwest canceled more than 2,000 weekend flights and the disruption continues

CNN  

New York CNN Business — The long weekend got a bit longer for Southwest customers after the airline canceled more than 2,000 flights Friday through Sunday. “Flight delays and cancellations occurred for a few hours Friday afternoon due to widespread severe weather, military training and limited staffing in one area of the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center,” the FAA …

Southwest still struggling with flight delays, cancellations
3 years, 6 months ago

Southwest still struggling with flight delays, cancellations

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Passengers on Southwest Airlines had to deal with canceled flights and delays for a third day on Wednesday, as the airline tried to recover from technology problems that started earlier this week. By late afternoon Central time, Southwest had canceled nearly 400 flights and more than 1,000 were delayed, according to tracking service FlightAware. A Southwest spokesman said …

Southwest Airlines Grapples With Another Outage, Halting Flights
3 years, 6 months ago

Southwest Airlines Grapples With Another Outage, Halting Flights

NPR  

Southwest Airlines Grapples With Another Outage, Halting Flights Enlarge this image toggle caption Scott Olson/Getty Images Scott Olson/Getty Images Less than 24 hours after a data problem disrupted Southwest Airlines flights across the U.S., the airline was once again hit by outages, leading the Federal Aviation Administration to order a temporary halt to new Southwest departures. Sponsor Message Southwest was …

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