Tag Archives for southwest airlines.
Southwest’s latest privacy policy email told customers almost nothing, which is exactly why so many people assumed the worst. The real changes were broader and older than Monday’s notice suggested, and they are fueling fears that the airline is building the tools for heavier tracking, biometric monitoring, and more personalized pricing.
Southwest used to make this simple for passengers of size: get an extra seat and usually receive a refund after travel. Now the airline can publicly flag travelers, make them buy a second seat at walk-up prices
A Southwest flight arriving in Miami erupted into an aisle fight as passengers stood up to deplane, after one traveler appeared to bump into a child and an argument escalated instantly. Video from the cabin captures shouted accusations (“He hit my daughter”), the moment the confrontation turns physical, and the aggressor being ordered off the aircraft and detained.
Passengers on a Southwest flight from Nashville to Fort Lauderdale were told to put their heads down and hands up after the 737 diverted to Atlanta and armed officers boarded to remove a passenger. After hours on the ground and a full security sweep, the FBI said there was no credible threat and no charges would be filed, and the flight eventually continued to Florida in the early morning hours.
Southwest is experimenting with bringing cleaners on board between flights — but only to clean the premium extra-legroom section, leaving the rest of the cabin to the usual quick flight-attendant “tidy.” A flight attendants union leader says the trial creates a two-tier experience, likening it to Titanic class service, and warns passengers will notice fast when the front looks freshly cleaned and the back doesn’t.
The Southwest Airlines boarding experience has been the worst of all possible worlds since moving to assigned seating on January 27. Now flight attendants are being asked to shoulder the burden, and their union is putting the airline on blast.
Southwest Airlines has banned its employees from using smart glasses and other wearable devices capable of recording during work hours, citing safety, privacy, and legal responsibilities—though the policy doesn’t apply to passengers.
Southwest Airlines moved from flexible open seating to strict assigned seats overnight—now passengers report being forced to remain squeezed next to travelers spilling into their space, even when entire rows remain empty.
Southwest flight attendants have voted down higher union dues three times, but the proposal is back for a fourth try. This time, the union is limiting ballots to in-person meetings, turning a $5-a-month ask into a fight over turnout, process, peer pressure and whether “no” actually means no.
A passenger is suing Southwest Airlines, claiming the airline denied her wheelchair assistance and then left her stranded in an airport restroom, causing severe emotional distress—Southwest responded by offering just a $150 voucher.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
