Southwest Airlines slashed one other 2,500 flights on Wednesday, sending more frustrated customers scrambling to seek out seats on other airlines.
The Dallas-based carrier’s cuts amounted to 60% of its schedule and nearly 90% of overall cancellations within the U.S. on Wednesday, marking one other day of disruptions at the same time as weather conditions and operations at other airlines improved.
Near 60% of Southwest flights were already canceled for Thursday. It scrubbed lower than 1% of the schedule for Friday, however the carrier still has to accommodate the hundreds of travelers left stranded by its meltdown.
Airlines have canceled hundreds of flights since last week when severe winter weather roiled holiday travel across the U.S., but Southwest’s outsized disruptions have drawn scrutiny from the Biden administration and lawmakers. Southwest has blamed its performance on its internal technology platforms that were overloaded by schedule changes.
That forced pilots and flight attendants to achieve out to scheduling services by phone for brand spanking new assignments, hotels and other accommodations. Hold times lasted hours, crews and unions said.
“There are hoards of Teams working on solutions right away and have been for days and days,” Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said in a staff message on Tuesday. “Ultimately, though, this stops with me. I’m accountable for this and I own our issues and I own our recovery. I would like you to know that as well.”
To assist stranded travelers, Delta Air Lines said Wednesday that it “capped fares in all of the markets Southwest operates” and that the fares are valid through Saturday. American Airlines said it did so in “cities severely affected by cancellations” and United Airlines said it has capped fares in “select cities.”
The airlines didn’t provide further details. The moves got here after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urged other carriers to cap fares.
Southwest said it could reimburse travelers for “reasonable” hotel, meal and alternative transportation expenses if customers submit receipts.
Tens of hundreds of passengers were also combating luggage lost within the chaos. Southwest allows travelers to envision two bags without cost, unlike other carriers, which charge for checked luggage.
Southwest shares on Wednesday fell greater than competitors’ for a second day in a row.
Frustrations for travelers trying to seek out their way home were heightened since the scarcity of of spare seats on other airlines through the busy holiday period.
Airlines will routinely limit last-minute fares, that are generally high and infrequently coincide with limited seats, during emergencies like hurricanes so travelers can evacuate.
