If you are flying with Southwest Airlines today, good luck!
Yesterday, Monday, December 26, over 70% of Southwest flights were cancelled across the country, including the majority of flights in and out of Orlando International Airport.
Yesterday at MCO, the Southwest Airlines departure board was lit up red as nearly 85% of all Southwest flights were canceled or delayed.
Lat night passengers at MCO resorted to sleeping on the floor of the airport after so many flight delays and cancellations left passengers stranded.
Today, Tuesday, the airline has already cancelled over 60% of flights nationwide, with passengers in Orlando getting very frustrated, with long lines forming at Southwest's check in desks since early morning with passengers complaining that they were not informed of delays and cancelations until arriving at the airport.
The winter storm has caused cancelations with every airline, but Southwest appears to have been affected more than any other airline!
Now, the U.S. Department of Transportation is criticizing Southwest, saying the rate of canceled flights is "unacceptable."
"USDOT is concerned by Southwest Airlines’ disproportionate and unacceptable rate of cancellations and delays, as well as the failure to properly support customers experiencing a cancellation or delay," the department said in a statement. "As more information becomes available, the department will closely examine whether cancellations were controllable and whether Southwest is complying with its customer service plan, as well as all other pertinent DOT rules."
Southwest expressed "heartfelt apologies" and said it is working to "urgently address wide-scale disruption" with safety at the forefront.
"With consecutive days of extreme winter weather across our network behind us, continuing challenges are impacting our Customers and Employees in a significant way that is unacceptable."
"And our heartfelt apologies for this are just beginning. We’re working with Safety at the forefront to urgently address wide-scale disruption by rebalancing the airline and repositioning Crews and our fleet ultimately to best serve all who plan to travel with us."
"We were fully staffed and prepared for the approaching holiday weekend when the severe weather swept across the continent, where Southwest is the largest carrier in 23 of the top 25 travel markets in the U.S. These operational conditions forced daily changes to our flight schedule at a volume and magnitude that still has the tools our teams use to recover the airline operating at capacity."
"This safety-first work is intentional, ongoing, and necessary to return to normal reliability, one that minimizes last-minute inconveniences. We anticipate additional changes with an already reduced level of flights as we approach the coming New Year holiday travel period. And we’re working to reach to Customers whose travel plans will change with specific information and their available options."
"Our Employees and Crews scheduled to work this holiday season are showing up in every single way. We are beyond grateful for that. Our shared goal is to take care of every single Customer with the Hospitality and Heart for which we’re known."
"On the other side of this, we’ll work to make things right for those we’ve let down, including our Employees."
"With no concern higher than ultimate Safety, the People of Southwest share a goal to take care of each and every Customer. We recognize falling short and sincerely apologize."
Southwest also said it will continue operating a reduced schedule by flying about one-third of its schedule for the next several days.
The advice is check with Southwest before making your way to the airport.
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