Tag Archives: Southwest Airlines

The Associated Press reports: An appeals court on Friday blocked a federal judge’s order that three attorneys for Southwest Airlines get religious liberty training from a conservative advocacy group, saying the judge likely exceeded his authority.  Three judges with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans put the training order on hold while appeals are pursued. The …

Houston’s ABC affiliate reports: The Houston Fire Department said that at about 11:15 a.m., the plane departing from Hobby was returning due to a reported engine fire. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, including a small grass fire that ignited near the runway. The Boeing 737 was headed to Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico, according to the FAA. …

NBC News reports: A Southwest Airlines flight nearly took off from a Florida taxiway on Thursday before an air traffic controller stopped the potentially dangerous departure, officials said. The incident involving Flight 3278 unfolded at Orlando International Airport at 9:30 a.m. as the plane attempted to depart for Albany, officials said. Southwest Airlines said its crew “mistook the surface for …

NBC News reports: It’s happening: Southwest Airlines will start charging passengers to check bags for the first time. It’s a stunning reversal that shows the low-cost pioneer is willing to part with a customer perk executives have said set it apart from rivals in more than half a century of flying in hopes of increasing revenue. Southwest’s changes come after …

Newsweek reports: Southwest Airlines plane and a private jet had a close call at Chicago Midway Airport on Tuesday morning, forcing the flight crew to perform a go-around to avoid a potential incident. Southwest Flight 2504 safely landed after maneuvering to avoid the other aircraft on the runway, the airline confirmed to multiple media outlets. Video shows the Southwest plane …

CBS News reports: A Southwest Airlines pilot was removed from the cockpit ahead of a Wednesday flight from Georgia to Chicago and was booked on a charge of driving under the influence, a source familiar with the incident told CBS News. David Paul Allsop allegedly smelled of alcohol and may have shown other signs of intoxication, the source said. Airport …

Denver’s NBC affiliate reports:  Southwest Airlines Flight 3316 was at a gate when a cellphone battery caught fire, according to a statement from the airline. Those who were sitting near the back of plane used the rear emergency slides, and those near the front were able to exit through the front door. The burning phone caused a seat to catch …

CNBC reports: Southwest Airlines is ending open seating and will offer extra legroom seats on its airplanes as mounting pressure on the carrier to increase revenue prompts the biggest changes to its business model in its 53 years of flying. The airline plans to start selling the first flights that will offer extra legroom next year, it said Thursday. The …

The Associated Press reports: Federal officials are investigating a Southwest Airlines jet that triggered a low-altitude alert as it prepared to land in Oklahoma City but was still nine miles from the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that an air traffic controller notified the Southwest pilots after an automated warning sounded around 12:05 a.m. Wednesday morning. According to …

CBS News reports: Federal officials said Thursday they’re investigating an unusual rolling motion on a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 that might have been caused by a damaged backup power-control unit. The Federal Aviation Administration said it’s working with Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the incident on a May 25 flight from Phoenix to Oakland. …

CNN reports: Southwest Airlines announced Thursday it will stop serving four airports after reporting increased losses in the first quarter and more delays in the delivery of promised jets from Boeing. The four airports are Bellingham International Airport in Washington state, Cozumel International Airport in Mexico, Syracuse Hancock International Airport in New York and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Southwest …

CNBC reports: An engine cowling fell off of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 and struck a wing flap during takeoff from Denver International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday. The FAA said Southwest Flight 3695 was on its way to Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport and safely returned to the gate at Denver at 8:15 a.m. local time. Southwest …

The New York Times reports: The Transportation Department on Monday announced a $140 million fine against Southwest Airlines over a meltdown last winter that disrupted travel for about two million people during the holiday season. Of the $140 million, Southwest Airlines will pay $35 million to the federal government. For the remaining amount, the department is giving the airline credit …

New Orleans’ CBS affiliate reports: The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said a man at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner, allegedly escaped through the emergency hatch and ran out onto the tarmac Sunday night. The plane was still parked at the terminal and had yet to push back from the gate for takeoff. Witnesses told media that the …

CNN reports: The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a nationwide ground stop for Southwest Airlines flights, citing “equipment issues.” “Southwest Airlines requested the FAA pause the airline’s departures,” the agency told CNN in a statement. Southwest Airlines reported technology issues Tuesday morning and said it would “hopefully be resuming our operation as soon as possible.” Southwest called the problem “intermittent …

Miami’s NBC affiliate reports: A Southwest Airlines flight bound for Fort Lauderdale returned to Havana Sunday after the aircraft was reportedly struck by a bird and cellphone video showed smoke filling the cabin. Southwest flight 3923 returned to José Martí International Airport after passengers reported the engine catching fire mid-flight. “Southwest flight #3923 departing Havana, Cuba, for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, …

The New York Post reports: A passenger aboard a rocky Southwest Airlines flight to North Carolina Friday passed out due to the turbulence — while others were left vomiting as the plane shook “like crazy.” The mayhem erupted when Flight 3094 from Maryland hit wild weather as it approached Raleigh-Durham International Airport Friday night. The rough landing was eventually aborted …

Axios reports: Southwest Airlines has been in damage-control mode since its December holiday meltdown, working to defend its reputation. Now, that episode has an actual price tag. The airline said today the snafu cost it $800 million in the fourth quarter, driving it to a net Q4 loss. And it expects to take another $300 million to $350 million hit …

CNN Business reports: The US Transportation Department said it is in the early stages of an investigation into the Southwest Airlines holiday travel meltdown in December. The probe includes an examination of whether Southwest is scheduling more flights than it can handle. “DOT is in the initial phase of a rigorous and comprehensive investigation into Southwest Airlines’ holiday debacle that …

Reuters reports: Shareholders filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines Co on Thursday, accusing the carrier of fraudulently concealing problems that led last month to an operational meltdown and more than 15,000 flight cancellations. According to the proposed class action filed in federal court in Houston, Southwest publicly downplayed or failed to disclose serious shortcomings in its flight scheduling software technology. …