It’s been three years since Southwest Airlines acquired budget carrier AirTran, but the two airlines’ fleets have yet to be fully integrated. Southwest has finally put a Dec. 28 date on the ultimate AirTran-branded flight. [More]
southwest airlines
Southwest CEO Vows To Work On Getting Planes Where They Should Be On-time
By 4.30.14
Because no one likes to be told they’ll be arriving somewhere at one time only to find you’re stranded at an airport late at night, staring at the closed Cinnabon and wondering if you’ll ever get home. Late planes are a problem, one that Southwest Airlines says it’s trying hard to fix after lagging behind other carriers in the race to be on-time. [More]
Southwest Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Unruly Passenger Tries Opening The Door
By 4.14.14
It’s common knowledge that airplane doors aren’t meant to be open while in flight. But that didn’t stop an unruly Southwest Airlines passenger from trying. [More]
Sunny Daydreams: Southwest Expands International Travel South Of The Border
By 3.3.14
With yet another snowstorm punishing the northeast today, Southwest Airlines knew we needed a dose of sun-soaked daydreams. The airline has expanded its international travel itinerary to include more sandy beaches. [More]
27 Major Companies That Are Worth Less Than WhatsApp
By 2.20.14
Just how big of a deal is the $19 billion WhatsApp is getting from Facebook in the acquisition announced yesterday? It’s a pretty freaking big deal — especially when you consider that there are a whole lot of major companies –including many that produce physical goods you can reach out and touch — that have been around longer than WhatsApp and are worth a lot less. [More]
Going South Of The Border: Southwest Announces First International Routes
By 1.27.14
Pack your bags for the sunny Caribbean (maybe not for a cruise, though) because bags are flying there for free now, along with passengers of course. Southwest Airlines just announced one of the most anticipated integration aspects of their 2011 merger with AirTran — international travel. [More]
There Are Two Airports In Branson, Mo. And This Southwest Flight Landed At The Wrong One
By 1.13.14
Choices! They can be so hard to make, or perhaps just complicated and inexplicable. So much so that Southwest Airlines isn’t explaining why the crew of a flight from Chicago bound for one airport near Branson, Mo. airport decided to land at the other instead. [More]
Southwest Pilot Learns He Should Stick To Words Like “Descending” And Not “We’re Going Down”
By 11.14.13
When I think about pilots learning to fly, I imagine a big chalkboard with the words PILOTING 101 front and center on Day 1. After “Keep the plane in the air when it’s supposed to be there and put it down safely when it’s supposed to be on the ground” I picture something along the lines of, “Don’t use the words ‘we’re going down’ when you really mean ‘We’re descending like how we’re supposed to and nothing is wrong.’ ” Even when you think the PA isn’t on. [More]
Man Arrested For Fondling Himself, Looking At Porn On Southwest Flight
By 9.11.12
Flying from Baltimore to Denver isn’t very exciting. If you’re going to provide your own in-flight entertainment, though, please don’t follow the lead of a 63-year-old man who took that flight on Saturday. His choice of distraction got him arrested once he was on the ground for committing lewd, indecent or obscene acts in public aboard an aircraft. [More]
Southwest Airlines' Fare Hike Will Probably Work Because The Other Carriers Are Sheep
By 8.20.12
Whatever Southwest Airlines gets, Southwest AIrlines gets. At least when it comes to instituting price hikes, because when it goes for one, all the other carriers usually fall right in line. This time, Southwest is attempting a $5 increase on one-way routes of less than 500 miles. It’s the eighth attempt this year by airlines to raise fares, and it will probably stick, say experts. [More]
Southwest Airlines Pilot's Tiff With TSA Agent Escalates Until Cops Make Everyone Chill Out
By 8.13.12
No, you aren’t the only one who gets annoyed with the Transportation Security Administration (in fact, 81% of those who responded to our recent poll aren’t fans) — even pilots get fed up from time to time, including one of Southwest Airlines’ very own who was so peeved at a “condescending” agent at New Hampshire’s Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, cops had to be called to cool the whole situation down. [More]
Southwest Ticket Debacle Illustrates Problems With Using Debit Cards For Big Purchases
By 8.10.12
A week ago, Southwest Airlines ticked off an awful lot of customers when a disastrous Facebook promotion resulted in people being charged multiple times — upwards of 24 or 25 times — for each ticket. While the airline responded quickly and says it will make things right with customers, many of those who paid with debit cards are still waiting to get their money back. [More]
Teen Learns That Cutting Southwest's Boarding Line Means Apologizing To The Entire Plane
By 8.6.12
Learning how to conduct yourself as a responsible adult is something we all (well, mostly all) experience at certain times in life. To wit: One Texas high school lacrosse player was served a very valuable lesson recently about remaining considerate even during the often frustrating experience of boarding a plane. After the teen used Southwest Airlines’ first come, first served open seating boarding process to try and jump the line, his coaches made him pay for it in a very public manner. [More]
Southwest Bills Customers Multiple Times In Failed Facebook Promotion
By 8.4.12
To celebrate its 3 millionth Facebook like — perhaps the most useless metric in social media — Southwest Airlines announced a half-price fare sale. But when some people tried to take advantage of the deal, they ended up having their credit and debit cards dinged with multiple charges. [More]
Which Airlines Pile On The Most Fees? Compare And Learn
By 7.9.12
Our friends over at NerdWallet are always coming up with useful, easy-to-use tools that sift and collate financial information that is normally scattered in a lot of different places. Most of these tools involve credit cards and banking, but they’ve recently opened a travel section. A handy new tool on the site lets you calculate the fees that different airlines charge for the same options, such as checked baggage, rebooking, or unaccompanied minor tickets. This makes it easier to compare airfares that might seem cheap before you start piling on fees. [More]
