Today, Southwest Airlines disclosed that these changes have become major, announcing the cancellation of about 220 of its 6,000 departures Friday. In response, the airline chose to cancel around 170 daily flights. This change will help reduce passenger interruptions while the agency makes this important operational change. Customers will be given ample notice with immediate notifications of cancellations. Southwest is pledging to communicate changes 24 hours in advance, providing travelers plenty of options before they arrive at the airport.
In a written statement about the incidents, Southwest doubled down on its pledge to be a safe airline for passengers. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” the airline declared. Customers with canceled flights will be notified through the Southwest mobile app or the company’s website.
Chief operations officer of the airline, David Seymour, said in an earnings call that Southwest is doing “everything we can to avoid disrupting customers.” As to the amount of flights canceled, he said that number would remain consistent this weekend. The airline plans to return to full operations a few weeks after.
Customers may also cancel their flights without penalties if they choose not to travel on a rebooked itinerary. Just be sure to cancel at least 10 minutes before the new departure time. In addition to the above changes, Southwest is releasing additional flexibility for customers who intend to fly to / from / through impacted markets in this current period of travel. For anyone impacted by a canceled flight, the airline says it will automatically rebook them on the next available Southwest flight as able.
“Customers whose flights are cancelled for any reason or who choose not to travel will be able to change their flight or request a refund without any penalty,” a representative from Delta Air Lines stated, highlighting industry-wide support for passengers affected by operational changes.
Passengers can seek more detailed information about currently available options directly on Southwest Airlines’ website. The site has a travel alert explaining the flight cuts and suggesting which rebooking options are available. Long-haul international flights will operate as expected, protecting travelers with international itineraries from the cancellations.
Seymour sought to reassure passengers on the company’s behalf, offering their commitment to keeping them informed during this new process. He recognized that FAA-caused cancellations impact important milestones in your life. On behalf of him, thank you for your understanding.
As travelers learn to live with these changes, Southwest wants to continue to communicate plainly and openly. The airline continues to encourage customers to monitor their reservations. If there are any flights impacted, they will reach out directly using the email or phone number you used to book.
