When you’re trending on Twitter, sometimes it can be a good thing but more often than not, it’s for not-so-great reasons (as yours truly learned the hard way a few years ago).
In the case of Southwest Airlines, they’ve trended on Twitter off and on for much of the last 24 hours or so due to significant travel delays over the Christmas holidays that appear to have impacted their flights more so than the other major airlines.
While cancellations and delays are normal this time of the year, what’s happened at Southwest since at least Friday shows problems on a scale not often seen. All total, as of this writing over 2,700 Southwest flights have been canceled, with over 750 delayed – and this is just for Monday. Officials with the airline are blaming the weather and the “unique” positioning of some of the airline’s hubs as it relates to the arctic blast that has swept much of the country:
Nationwide, 2,677 Southwest flights have been canceled, which is about 66% of the airline’s flights, and 734 have been delayed as of 2 p.m.
[…]
On Friday, a Southwest Airlines spokesperson said in a statement that more than half of the airports where they operate in the continental U.S. fell under duress from the strong Arctic storm that swept through the U.S., and “Southwest has been uniquely effected given our size and structure.”
“As it remains a very dynamic situation, we don’t have specific numbers to share on flight disruptions, but the storms have forced hundreds of cancellations throughout our network,” a spokesperson wrote Friday. “We appreciate our Customers’ patience and apologize for inconveniences as we work to get them to their destinations as quickly and safely as possible this holiday.”
I spoke with a source Monday who told me the story of the trouble their son had getting home for Christmas thanks to all the Southwest delays:
“My son’s SouthWest flight was on the 24th out of Denver. He was forced to wait 7 hours, then they canceled it. Got him an early morning flight on Christmas-which they quietly canceled in the middle of the night. Finally was able to get him on a United flight to Ontario, which is over an hour from here. We spent many hours on the phone and hundreds in Ubers (because he had to go back and forth from DIA).”
Fortunately, the son never got his bag checked, which would have meant an additional several hours needing to be spent at the airport with tensions understandably running high.
Though Southwest is pinning the bulk of their problems on the weather, staffing shortages are also being noted at individual airports.
To get a good feel for what’s been going on at some of the nation’s busiest airports, check out these video clips.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport:
Reagan National Airport:
Denver International Airport:
Oakland International Airport:
San Francisco International Airport:
Phoenix Sky Harbor, which is a major hub for Southwest Airlines:
Tampa International Airport:
Something to keep in mind if you’re among those impacted by these issues to is to try and keep your emotions in check when dealing with Southwest staff.
“Please be kind to airline agents,” KVUE’s Ford Sanders advised viewers and readers. “At the end of the day, Southwest as a whole is who canceled my flight with no explanation. I watched multiple agents today in tears after how customers treated them. They are here to help, and I’m so grateful to them.”
I always feel for airline employees and those who have to travel long distances to get to their destinations around the holidays. It’s a very stressful and trying time because the employees just want to help people and the travelers are eager to get to their families and friends. But the delays and cancellations inevitably happen, leaving no one happy.
To see an updated list of all flight delays and cancellations (and not just Southwest’s) click here. If you or a loved one are traveling on Southwest, check here for the latest information and to find out what your options are.
Better yet, might want to listen to “Thrifty Traveler” editor Kyle Potter.
“This is a full-blown meltdown. If you’re flying Southwest this week, I’d encourage you to look into alternatives ASAP,” he tweeted in response to the numerous reports about the nationwide issues with Southwest’s flights.
The man has a point.
Flashback: CNN Takes Disgusting Cheap Shot at Southwest Airlines CEO After He Tests Positive for COVID
