Southwest Airlines
Coverage of Southwest Airlines in the Nexus archive.
- Southwest flight declares emergency after distress call over Pacific
A Southwest Airlines flight from Maui to Las Vegas declared an emergency and diverted due to a distress call over the Pacific Ocean. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
- Delta flight ‘felt a big bang’ after apparently being hit by firework while landing in Chicago
A Delta Air Lines flight was struck by fireworks while landing at Chicago Midway International Airport, with the pilot reporting a 'big bang' and the Federal Aviation Administration investigating. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft landed safely. Air traffic controllers warned incoming flights of similar incidents, describing the airspace as a 'war zone.'
- Southwest Airlines leaves passengers scrambling after cutting routes in peak travel season
Southwest Airlines has removed several flight routes during the busy travel season, leading to passenger confusion and difficulties in rebooking. The airline's decision to cut these routes has disrupted travel plans for many.
- Southwest jet struck by ground equipment vehicle at Memphis airport
A Southwest Airlines plane was struck by a ground equipment vehicle at Memphis airport while passengers were boarding on Sunday.
- Southwest jet struck by ground equipment vehicle at Memphis airport
A Southwest Airlines jet was struck by a ground equipment vehicle during boarding at Memphis International Airport, causing the flight to be taken out of service. Passengers were rebooked on an alternate aircraft, leading to a nearly four-hour delay. The incident is under investigation by Southwest's Safety Management System.
- Southwest Airlines is partnering with Amazon Web Services to go fully cloud-based by 2028
Southwest Airlines is collaborating with Amazon Web Services to transition to a fully cloud-based system by 2028, moving from on-premises infrastructure to an AI-enabled architecture using agentic tools across operations and software development.
- Southwest Airlines probing ‘incident’ between two of its planes at Rhode Island airport
Southwest Airlines confirmed it is investigating an incident involving two of its planes at Rhode Island’s largest airport. The airline has not provided further details about the nature of the incident.
- Sanctions for Southwest Airlines reversed
A court has reversed sanctions imposed on Southwest Airlines. The ruling references a prior decision by the Fifth Circuit in a related lawsuit from last year.
- Airline CEO who counted cards now bets premium perks can win over fliers
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is leveraging premium upgrades and enhanced customer experiences to attract fliers, building on his gambling background. United's 'United Next' strategy includes new aircraft, premium seating, and improved amenities, while Delta and American Airlines are highlighted for their industry-leading perks and awards.
- Southwest walks back part of its plus-size seating policy, but advocacy group says it's not enough
Southwest Airlines is rethinking its plus-size seating policy by walking back a key part of the guidelines. An advocacy group claims the changes are insufficient.
- Southwest walks back part of its plus-size seating policy, but advocacy group says it’s not enough
Southwest Airlines is revising its plus-size seating policy by retracting a key component months after implementation. An advocacy group claims the changes are insufficient to address concerns.
- Southwest Airlines forced to alter its plus-size passenger policy again after earlier change sparked backlash from overweight flyers
Southwest Airlines revised its plus-size passenger policy again after facing backlash from overweight flyers. The earlier policy change had drawn criticism, prompting the airline to make further adjustments.
- Southwest revises its overweight passenger rules. Here's what's changing.
Southwest Airlines is revising its policies for passengers who require a second seat, reversing some recent changes. The airline has adjusted its rules related to overweight passengers needing an additional seat.
- Southwest walks back controversial seating policy that singles out plus-size passengers
Southwest Airlines has reversed its controversial seating policy that required plus-size passengers to purchase two seats. The airline now allows passengers to sit in a single seat if they can fit within the space, providing more comfort for larger individuals.
- American Airlines is getting Starlink Wi-Fi
American Airlines announced plans to install SpaceX's Starlink Wi-Fi on over 500 aircraft starting in Q1 2027, joining providers like Viastat and SES. Other major airlines, including United, Southwest, and Lufthansa, have also adopted Starlink for in-flight connectivity.
- Moment billionaire Tom Steyer flies Southwest — and the surprising reaction he got from passengers
Billionaire Tom Steyer, who is running for California governor while promoting an everyman image, was spotted by passengers boarding a Southwest Airlines flight. Despite spending $192 million on his campaign, the encounter suggests he may not have achieved the breakthrough he expected among voters.
- Sorry, you can't bring your humanoid robots on Southwest flights anymore. Here's why.
Southwest Airlines has banned humanoid robots from flying in the cabin or as checked baggage. The ban applies to all human or animal-like robots, regardless of size or purpose. Passengers can no longer bring these robots on board.
- Airline flight delayed for bizarre reason as humanoid robot triggers safety query
A Southwest Airlines flight was delayed due to a humanoid robot named Bebop exceeding airline limits with its battery. The robot, weighing 75 pounds, was traveling from Oakland to San Diego and attracted attention at the gate. The delay lasted about an hour.
- 'Independence One' brings back golden age of air travel for America’s 250th anniversary
Southwest Airlines launched 'Independence One,' a patriotic aircraft celebrating America's 250th anniversary with historical design elements. The airline partnered with America250 to support volunteer efforts and pledged up to $250,000 in grants for nonprofits through its 'We Serve Together' program.
- Fury as Southwest flight to San Diego is delayed by ROBOT passenger that sat in aisle seat
A Southwest Airlines flight to San Diego was delayed by a robot passenger that occupied an aisle seat, sparking public outrage. The incident highlighted frustrations over unexpected disruptions in air travel.
- Fury as Southwest flight to San Diego is delayed by ROBOT passenger that sat in aisle seat
A Southwest Airlines flight to San Diego was delayed due to a robot passenger occupying an aisle seat, sparking public outrage and frustration among travelers.
- Southwest Headquarters Tour
The article announces a 2026 tour of Southwest Airlines' headquarters, as detailed in a blog post by Katherine Michel. It includes engagement metrics from Hacker News, with 39 points and 5 comments.
- Spirit pilot gets ‘overwhelming’ send-off from Southwest after his final flight is cancelled
Jon Jackson, a Spirit Airlines pilot, was given an emotional send-off by Southwest Airlines after his final flight was canceled due to Spirit's sudden collapse. Southwest staff organized the send-off following Spirit's shutdown, which occurred after failed rescue negotiations with the Trump administration.
- Trump administration unveils relief plan for travelers hit by Spirit shutdown
The Trump administration announced a relief plan for travelers affected by Spirit Airlines' shutdown after a failed government bailout. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that United, Delta, and Southwest will cap ticket prices for Spirit customers rebooking canceled flights.
- Spirit Airlines shuts down after two bankruptcies and a failed rescue plan
Spirit Airlines is shutting down after two bankruptcies and a failed rescue plan, becoming the first major U.S. airline to collapse in decades. Rising fuel prices and insufficient liquidity forced the company to cancel all flights and strand passengers, with refunds pending for those who paid via vouchers or points. Other airlines like United, American, and Southwest are offering support to affected travelers.
- Robot dances at the airport gate, then delays Southwest flight from Oakland to San Diego
A human-like robot boarded a Southwest Airlines flight from Oakland to San Diego but caused a delay due to its lithium battery. The incident occurred at an airport gate before the flight departed.
- Southwest CEO addresses rising fuel costs amid war with Iran and its impact on travelers
Domestic airfare has increased by 18% compared to last year, driven by surging fuel costs linked to the war with Iran. Low-cost carriers are seeking government assistance to manage rising fuel expenses, as Southwest's CEO discusses the impact with reporter Kris Van Cleave.
- What's the status of the airline industry amid high fuel prices
The 'big four' U.S. airlines (American, Delta, United, Southwest) reported strong first-quarter results, but their profits were largely offset by rising fuel costs. Analyst Al Root from Barron's discussed the industry's challenges amid high fuel prices.
- FAA probes JFK near miss after another recent close call fuels scrutiny of air traffic safety
Two passenger jets narrowly avoided a collision at JFK Airport after Republic Airways Flight 4464 and Air Canada Express Flight 8554 came too close during approach, prompting FAA investigation. Both crews executed go-arounds following onboard alerts. This incident follows another recent near-miss involving Southwest Airlines flights, raising concerns about air traffic safety.
- Sean Duffy tells CBS News how he plans to modernize air traffic control with AI
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is requesting increased congressional funding to modernize the air traffic control system using AI, following a near-miss incident between two Southwest jets in Nashville. CBS News reporter Kris Van Cleave interviewed Duffy to discuss his plans for the upgrade.
- 2 Southwest planes come within 500 feet of each other in close call
Two Southwest Airlines planes narrowly avoided a midair collision at Nashville's airport due to conflicting air traffic control instructions. The FAA is investigating the incident, which highlights potential safety concerns in air traffic management.
- 2 Southwest planes came within 500 feet in close call near Nashville airport
Two Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 planes came within 500 feet of each other near Nashville International Airport after air traffic control instructed one flight to turn right, creating a potential collision course with another 737 cleared for takeoff from a parallel runway.
- Southwest pilots take evasive maneuvers to avoid midair collision over Nashville
Two Southwest Airlines pilots executed evasive maneuvers to prevent a midair collision over Nashville this weekend. The incident was reported by journalist Kris Van Cleave.
- 4/20: CBS Evening News
President Donald J. Trump provided mixed signals regarding the state of negotiations with Iran, while two Southwest Airlines planes nearly collided over Nashville, raising safety concerns.
- 4/20: CBS Evening News
President Donald Trump provided conflicting statements regarding the status of negotiations with Iran, while a near mid-air collision involving two Southwest Airlines flights occurred over Nashville.
- FAA investigates Southwest near miss after air traffic control sends jets on collision course
The FAA is investigating a near-miss incident between two Southwest Airlines flights at Nashville International Airport after air traffic control directed one aircraft into the path of another during a go-around. Pilots avoided a potential collision using onboard traffic alerts, and no injuries were reported.
- FAA investigating extremely close call between 2 Southwest planes
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an extremely close call between two Southwest Airlines flights at Nashville International Airport. The incident highlights potential aviation safety concerns and regulatory oversight.
- Airline industry faces a shakeup as jet fuel hits hard
The U.S. airline industry is experiencing financial strain due to rising jet fuel and labor costs, leading to higher fares and potential consolidation. Spirit Airlines faces liquidation after a second bankruptcy, while United Airlines proposes a merger with American Airlines. Airlines are cutting routes and passing costs to consumers as fuel price spikes threaten industry stability.
- Popular airline rolls out free bag perk for certain travelers — but there's a catch
Southwest Airlines introduced the 'Sip and Ship' program, allowing passengers aged 21+ to check one wine case for free when flying to/from select West Coast locations. The perk is tied to new service in Santa Rosa, California, and includes restrictions on packaging and route eligibility.
- WATCH: Searching for savings on summer air travel
Travel expert Katy Nastro provides tips for saving money on summer air travel. Southwest Airlines implements a new rule about portable battery chargers.