Southwest Airlines flights were temporarily grounded Friday after a widespread computer outage knocked out the “IT backbone” for a number of major airlines – causing havoc for some fliers. The system failure caused huge lines at airports served by Southwest and, according to outage-tracking website Downdetector, left some passengers unable to check in. Customers also … Read more
Southwest Airlines on Wednesday unveiled plans to open its first-ever airport lounges, as the carrier steps up efforts to attract higher-spending premium travelers and diversify revenue streams. The airline, which has been working to shed its low-cost image and boost ancillary revenue through assigned seating, extra-legroom seats and other product enhancements, said it would partner with JPMorgan … Read more
An aisle seat could get you advice about walking down the aisle. Earlier this month, Denver bride-to-be Maya Lorimer was headed to her bachelorette party on a Southwest Airlines flight. When the flight attendant began making an announcement, Lorimer assumed it was about a delay. Instead, it was about Lorimer’s imminent marriage to Colorado finance … Read more
A couple flying to Las Vegas to elope ended up getting married at 35,000 feet after a Southwest Airlines crew turned their flight into a wedding. Sara Arroyo Montalvo and her partner had planned to elope privately in Las Vegas when flight attendants learned about their idea and decided to organize a midair ceremony, Montalvo shared in … Read more
You’ll want to take a seat — or two — for this big move. Southwest Airlines has updated a controversial policy after a trove of upset customers. The airline’s “Customer of Size policy” was for plus-size travelers who needed additional accommodations and was even praised in the past. In the past, Southwest would allow plus-sized … Read more
Southwest passengers will need to book it to their booking a few minutes earlier. The budget airline is attempting to beat back unnecessary delays by asking customers to arrive at their departure gate exactly 5 minutes earlier than the previous protocol stated. The new procedure comes as an increasing number of passengers are bringing carry-on … Read more
The joke about air travel didn’t land with passengers. Southwest Airlines has issued an official verdict on whether or not passengers should stand up immediately after their plane touches down — and the internet is fuming. Sit down, you’re rockin’ the plane. Christopher Sadowski On June 30, the Dallas-based airline posted the following message to … Read more
Southwest flyers may finally be getting some breathing room. One TikTokker is going viral as she believes the airline is quietly walking back part of its controversial “customer of size” policy after furious backlash from travelers who slammed the carrier for making them shell out extra cash just to fly comfortably. Emily, who posts under … Read more
Passenger satisfaction is soaring — for now. Air travel hasn’t been easy as of late, with all kinds of hassles such as TSA troubles, long lines, flight delays and cancellations, and rising ticket prices and baggage fees due to rising jet fuel costs. Even with all the trouble, overall satisfaction with airlines in North America … Read more
There may be a happy ending after all. In the wake of Spirit Airlines ceasing operations after more than three decades, many loyal customers are scrambling to find a new airline. But what many may not know is that you can put your now-unusable Spirit membership status to good use. A number of airlines — … Read more
A Spirit Airlines pilot received a hero’s send-off with the help of a rival airline — and his first officer son — as his retirement flight was abruptly cut amid the carrier’s sudden shutdown. Capt. Jon Jackson was scheduled to fly one last time for Spirit into Baltimore-Washington International on Saturday when the ultra-low-cost airline … Read more
Your checked bag may cost you, but your wine will fly for free. Southwest Airlines is launching a new “Sip and Ship” program that will allow flyers to check one case of wine for free. The new checking policy starts April 24 and will apply to customers traveling from wine country. “Southwest’s new Sip and … Read more
Southwest Airlines is cracking down on portable chargers, rolling out a strict new policy in which passengers can only bring one charger each and are barred from putting the devices in overhead bins due to concerns over midair fire risks. The Dallas-based carrier said travelers will be allowed just one lithium-powered charger per person, capped … Read more
Talk about some sky-high baggage fees. Furious Southwest Airlines customers are sounding off over the carrier’s controversial new policy — which critics have slammed as a so-called “fat tax” after one traveler was allegedly forced to cough up nearly $1,000 for a second seat. Earlier this year, Southwest Airlines enacted its eyebrow-raising policy change, requiring … Read more
This scuttlebutt is bad news for butts. Flying with Southwest Airlines could mean flying with the spills, fluids, flakes and grime left by the guy who sat in the seat right before you, per alarming claims that the company is planning to only clean “premium seats” between flights. Chris Click, a safety chair for the … Read more
Southwest’s new seating policy will just not fly. The airline continues to receive heat from furious travelers strongly opposed to the airline’s decision to end its open seating arrangements – with some branding the move a “disaster.” Fury is also mounting with the airline’s new booking system – with one traveler even comparing it to … Read more
Southwest’s oft-chaotic open-seating policy is finally coming to an end — and while some anxious flyers may rejoice in the move, experts say it’s a harbinger of worse to come for economy passengers. Flights departing on or after Jan. 27, 2026, will now have seat assignments for passengers, and Southwest will introduce group-based boarding similar … Read more
They’re flying high on this salary. An aviation enthusiast has taken to X to share a pay stub purportedly belonging to a Southwest pilot — and it shows the huge sum of money they made in 2025. Corbin Williams posted the picture on Dec. 23, although it’s unclear whether it was his own pay slip … Read more
You are now free to roam about the cat-bin. One furry flyer’s premature bid for freedom put a smile on a plane full of Thanksgiving travelers’ faces when it escaped his carrier and started wandering the aisles. Amid the commotion on board, the frisky feline was briskly scooped into the arms of a Southwest Airlines … Read more
Southwest Airlines has been making a range of changes, with the carrier now charging for checked luggage and eliminating its famous open seating policy in favor of assigned seats. From Jan. 27, 2026, passengers will now have assigned seats — but they’ll be boarding differently from most other carriers. Per the Wall Street Journal, Southwest … Read more