The U.S. Department of Transportation has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines and issued a fine to Frontier for chronic flight delays. This action is part of the government’s continued effort to hold airlines accountable for disrupted travel plans.
The lawsuit, filed in a California courtroom, stems from an investigation that uncovered two Southwest Airlines routes with 180 delays. According to the DOT, the airline failed to provide realistic departure and arrival times, leading to consistent passenger disruptions.
For five consecutive months in 2022, Southwest’s flights between Chicago, Illinois, and Oakland, California, were delayed by more than 30 minutes. Another route between Baltimore, Maryland, and Cleveland, Ohio, also saw similar delays, with wait times exceeding 30 minutes. The DOT claims Southwest was given ample time to address the issue but failed to make improvements.
In a statement, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, “Today’s action sends a message to all airlines that the Department is prepared to go to court to enforce passenger protections.”
Southwest is not the only airline facing penalties. Frontier Airlines has to pay a $650,000 fine. Half of the amount will go to the U.S. Treasury, while the remainder can be forgiven if the airline prevents future chronic delays.
Earlier this month, JetBlue Airways became the first airline to receive a penalty from the DOT, facing a $2 million fine for unrealistic scheduling and repeat delays.
Federal regulations prohibit airlines from creating flight schedules that do not accurately reflect departure and arrival times. DOT officials say these misleading schedules create unfair practices for customers and disrupt travel plans.
The DOT is now pursuing the maximum civil penalty for Southwest Airlines, signaling a continued crackdown on the airline industry’s handling of delays and customer service.
