DOT Takes Action Against Southwest and Frontier Over Chronic Flight Delays

DOT Takes Action Against Southwest and Frontier Over Flight Delays

Today, the United States and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines for illegally operating multiple chronically delayed flights and disrupting passengers’ travel. Operating chronically delayed flights is an unrealistic scheduling practice and can harm both passengers and fair competition across the airline industry. 

According to the DOT, Southwest operated two flights that, between them, experienced 180 disruptions between April and August 2022. The flights operated between Chicago Midway International Airport and Oakland, California, and between Baltimore and Cleveland. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates, based off of data submitted to DOT by Southwest, that the airline was responsible for more than 90% of the disruptions for the two chronically delayed flights.