Tag Archives for southwest airlines.
Southwest Airlines just brought back one of its best-known promotions: register and book just one roundtrip (or two one-way flights) by Thursday, February 5, and you’ll earn a two-month Companion Pass valid August 10–October 7, 2026. Whether paying cash or using points, this Companion Pass lets you bring along a friend or family member for free, making late summer and early fall travel significantly cheaper.
Southwest’s recent Rapid Rewards devaluation wasn’t just a random squeeze—it appears tied directly to the airline’s new bag and seat fees and a renegotiated Chase co-brand deal. By allocating more of Chase’s partnership payments to “benefits” like checked bags and seat assignments (instead of future travel liability for points), Southwest can recognize more revenue immediately—and the points become worth less because less of that money is being “spent” on things other than flights.
A Southwest 737 in San Antonio began its takeoff roll after being cleared for departure when a private Pilatus PC-12 inadvertently turned onto the same runway. Tower audio captures the controller urgently canceling the takeoff clearance—“Oh sh*t”—and the Southwest crew rejecting the takeoff at speed, avoiding a runway collision as another aircraft was sent around.
Southwest’s full-year results are out, and the “turnaround” isn’t showing up where it should: revenue barely grew while net profit slipped versus 2024. The airline stayed in the black largely thanks to cheaper jet fuel (and cost cuts), not because bag fees and other changes delivered the revenue lift Wall Street was promised.
I didn’t plan to be a guinea pig for Southwest’s first day of assigned seating, but after American’s storm cancellations and operational meltdown I rebooked—and got a front-row seat to the new boarding reality. Seats may now be assigned, but the gate process still forces early queuing while carry-on bin space turns the aisle into a traffic jam, with passengers backtracking to stow bags and flight attendants trying to manage the pile-ups
Subway is running a one-day promo timed to Southwest’s shift to assigned seating: fly in an airline middle seat on Tuesday, snap a same-day “middle seat” selfie, and you can get a $20 Subway gift card while supplies last. You don’t even have to show your face—just enough of the row to prove you’re truly stuck between two seats.
Southwest is being sued by a former flight attendant who says the airline did not pay overtime required under Illinois law because its pay system focuses on flight time, not total duty time. Southwest argues the claim cannot proceed in court because flight attendants are unionized and the dispute belongs under the Railway Labor Act framework.
American and Southwest made inflight Wi-Fi free—then Intellectual Ventures sued, claiming the airlines owe royalties on the technology behind onboard internet. A judge has now ordered American to produce technical records and source code as the case accelerates.
A Southwest passenger is confronted by crew and airport staff after a shouting match in the cabin. Video shows the tense removal—and apparently throwing food as the situation boils over in front of other travelers.
Southwest’s open seating has always invited games—saving rows, blocking middle seats, and all sorts of “someone’s sitting here” theatrics to keep extra space. That all changes January 27 when assigned seating begins, which should end a lot of the passenger scheming (and even the wheelchair-preboarding miracles) while also stripping away one of the last quirky, self-directed “wins” Southwest flyers could still chase.
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 »
