NPR: Southwest Airlines

Who's in, who's out and who is Billboard's Woman of the Year? Find out in the quiz

Holly J. Morris — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

If you've been paying attention to international politics, you'll get at least three — yes, THREE! — questions right this week!

Southwest surprises, tariff guac shock, and fraud flourishes

Darian Woods — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 03:00:59 -0400

It's Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at interesting numbers from the news.

On today's show, we have Southwest Airlines changing course on their free checked bag policy, skyrocketing fraud, and Americans' insatiable appetite for avocados.

Related episodes:
More fraud, higher bond yields, and faster airline boarding

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Southwest 737 and small business jet have 'near collision' at Chicago Midway Airport

Russell Lewis — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 19:45:56 -0500

Federal authorities are investigating a near-collision at Chicago's Midway airport between a Southwest 737 and a small business jet. The 737 was landing when the business jet entered the runway.

(Image credit: StreamTime Live)

The Transportation Department sues Southwest Airlines for alleged oft-delayed flights

Ayana Archie — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 05:00:17 -0500

The agency is seeking civil penalties against Southwest Airlines, and also fined Frontier Airlines for its continuous delays.

(Image credit: Mario Tama)

Southwest is changing how it boards planes, but don’t expect it to be faster

Joel Rose — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

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.

(Image credit: Mario Tama)

Southwest Airlines says ‘assigned and premium seating’ will replace open seating plan

Bill Chappell — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 09:06:21 -0400

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.

(Image credit: Brandon Bell)

Soda cans are exploding on Southwest flights due to sky-high temperatures

Rachel Treisman — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:15:59 -0400

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.

(Image credit: Charles Rex Arbogast)

Southwest will pay a $140 million fine for its meltdown during the 2022 holidays

Joel Rose — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:00:50 -0500

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.

(Image credit: Michael Ciaglo)

Southwest Airlines says it's ready for the holidays after its meltdown last December

Joe Hernandez — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 05:00:32 -0500

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.

Biden wants airlines to pay passengers whose flights are hit by preventable delays

Juliana Kim — Mon, 08 May 2023 11:36:27 -0400

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.

(Image credit: Seth Herald)