Southwest Airlines Sued – Massive Disruption!

Southwest airplane on the air with blu sky and white clouds.

(StraightShooterNews.com) – The Biden Administration has targeted Southwest Airlines, launching a lawsuit that highlights ongoing frustrations over flight delays and challenges the airline’s adherence to its obligations.

This case reflects a growing trend of government interference in the private sector, raising concerns about potential overreach and the impact on the free market.

The Department of Transportation (DOT), led by Secretary Pete Buttigieg, has filed a federal lawsuit against Southwest Airlines over “chronically late” flights.

The lawsuit specifically targets two flights, one of which was Southwest’s flight 1029 between Chicago Midway and Oakland, noted for being delayed 19 times in April 2022 and 16 times in May 2022.

A similar pattern of delays was reported on a route between Baltimore and Cleveland.

The case accuses the airline of failing to make schedule adjustments despite knowing about these consistent delays, allegedly causing customer harm.

Buttigieg emphasized that airlines have a legal obligation to create realistic flight schedules. The DOT classifies unrealistic scheduling as “unfair, deceptive, and anticompetitive.”

The DOT aims to enforce passenger protection rules and discourage deceptive practices as part of its mandate.

“Today’s action sends a message to all airlines that the Department is prepared to go to court in order to enforce passenger protections,” Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated.

Southwest Airlines disappointedly responded to the lawsuit, highlighting its strong performance record since the DOT’s Chronically Delayed Flight policy was issued in 2009.

A spokesperson for Southwest stated, “Since DOT issued its Chronically Delayed Flight (CDF) policy in 2009, Southwest has operated more than 20 million flights with no other CDF violations.”

In 2024, the company ranked fifth among major carriers for delays but led in the “completion factor,” with over 99% of flights reaching their destination.

The lawsuit is not an isolated incident but part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to address what it considers “unfair” airline practices. The DOT also fined Frontier Airlines $650,000 for similar flight delay issues.

Furthermore, the action against Southwest aims to enforce passenger protections and ensure that airlines provide realistic schedules.

With maximum civil penalties sought, the case sets a precedent for stricter enforcement of passenger protection laws and airline accountability.

While the Biden Administration’s intervention may be intended to protect consumers, it raises questions about government oversight levels.

As with many government initiatives, time will tell if these steps genuinely enhance passenger rights or stifle innovation and competition within the airline industry.

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