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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has filed a lawsuit against Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, alleging the airline’s repeated flight delays and disruptions have violated federal regulations and inconvenienced thousands of passengers.
Background on the Lawsuit
Southwest Airlines contends that the incidents in question occurred over two years ago. However, the lawsuit may significantly affect the airline’s reputation and potentially lead to operational changes impacting its passengers.
According to the DOT, two specific routes – one between Chicago Midway International Airport and Oakland, California, and another between Baltimore, Maryland, and Cleveland, Ohio – experienced chronic delays over a five-month period from April to August 2022. These delays resulted in 180 disrupted flights for travelers.
The agency stated that Southwest was given sufficient time to address these delays but failed to take corrective action.
Defining “Chronically Delayed”
Under federal guidelines, a flight is classified as “chronically delayed” if it operates at least 10 times per month and arrives more than 30 minutes late in over half of those flights. Airlines are prohibited from advertising or scheduling flights with unrealistic departure and arrival times.
Official Statement
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg underscored the department’s commitment to holding airlines accountable.
“As part of our efforts to protect passenger rights and ensure fair practices in air travel, we are suing Southwest Airlines for operating unlawfully delayed flights,” Buttigieg said. “This action reinforces that airlines must honor their obligations to provide travelers with accurate scheduling information. The DOT is prepared to enforce these protections through legal action if necessary.”
Performance Metrics
Court documents reveal the extent of the delays:
- Flights between Chicago and Oakland were late 19 of 25 times in April 2022, 16 of 27 times in May, 19 of 26 times in June, and 17 of 26 times in July.
- Flights between Baltimore and Cleveland were similarly delayed, arriving late on 22 of 26 flights in April, 19 of 27 in May, 19 of 29 in June, and 17 of 31 in July.
In addition to pursuing penalties against Southwest, the DOT recently fined Frontier Airlines $650,000 for similar violations, allowing the carrier to reduce the penalty if it avoids additional violations over the next three years.
Southwest Airlines Responds
Southwest expressed disappointment in the DOT’s focus on historical data, emphasizing its broader operational track record.
“Since the DOT introduced its Chronically Delayed Flight (CDF) policy in 2009, Southwest has operated over 20 million flights with no other CDF violations,” the airline stated. “To claim these two instances reflect unrealistic scheduling is inconsistent with our 15-year performance record. In 2024, we led the industry with a 99% flight completion rate without cancellations.”
Expert Analysis
Mike Davis, an economics professor at Southern Methodist University, views the financial penalty as relatively inconsequential but warns of potential reputational harm.
“While the fine itself won’t financially cripple Southwest, the airline’s reputation, which has already faced challenges in recent months, could suffer,” Davis said.
He added that passengers might experience higher ticket prices or reduced flight availability if Southwest opts to address on-time performance through increased spending. “Improving punctuality requires significant resources, and those costs could be passed on to travelers.”
What’s Next?
The DOT has not announced a timeline for further discussions with Southwest regarding the allegations. The case underscores a broader effort to enhance accountability within the airline industry and protect consumer rights.
