A Texas federal judge delayed the deposition of multiple pilots after Southwest's union alleged the airline threatened witnesses with discipline right before they sat for depositions, saying the company could not...
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Southwest Airlines operates aircraft with incorrect weight and balance calculations
Southwest Airlines operates aircraft with incorrect weight and balance calculations, providing inaccurate information to pilots prior to take-off.
Southwest Airlines Operates Aircraft With Incorrect Weight and Balance Calculations In January 2018, FAA learned that Southwest Airlines was providing inaccurate aircraft weight and balance information to pilots prior to take-off.
Workplace equitySettlementAgainst
Southwest settles pregnancy discrimination claim
Southwest pays $130,000 to settle an EEOC pregnancy discrimination suit.
The decree also requires that, in the event Southwest Dental Group opens a new practice within the next four years, it will appoint an equal employment opportunity (EEO) consultant; create and implement anti-discrimination policies and procedures; and periodically report to the EEOC regarding its handling of internal complaints and compliance with the decree.
Southwest Dental Group Pays $ 130,000 To Settle EEOC Pregnancy Discrimination Suit
Labor & working conditionsAllegationYou decide
Southwest is accused of threatening to remove pilot qualifications
Southwest is accused of threatening to remove pilot qualifications if they affiliate with the union.
In its amended complaint, the Union sought injunctive relief prohibiting Southwest from taking disciplinary action against Union members and from “unlawfully i nterfering with” the Union. It also sought to reinstate Captain Roebling as a check pilot and to recover damages arising from his unlawful discipline, as well as punitive damages for Southwest’s wrongful conduct.
Southwest’s alleged anti-Union coercion and threats led to decreased attendance at Union events and reduced contact between check pilots and the Union, interfering with the representation of check pilots.
Shortly after the Union announced the Committee, Southwest updated its Flight Operations Training Manual to prohibit check pilots from participating in any Union committees: Employees who currently have an FAA Check Airman/Check Pilot authorization letter on file at Southwest Airlines are prohibited from participating in [Union]-controlled committees and from serving as an officer in the [Union].
In 2018, immediately after the Union announced the formation of the Check Pilot Committee, Southwest issu ed a blanket ban prohibiting check pilots from participating in any Union committees or serving as officers in the Union.
_____________________ Southwest’s multi-year, anti-Union camp aign, in which Southwest “coerced” and “threatened” check pilots from affi liating with the Union.
Here, the Union alleges that Southwest’s actions “threate n to weaken or destroy the union” by discouraging check pilots from participating in the Union.
Shortly after the Union announced the Committee, Southwest updated its Flight Operations Training Manual to prohibit check pilots from participating in any Union committees: Employees who currently have an FAA Check Airman/Check Pilot authorization letter on file at Southwest Airlines are prohibited from participating in [Union]-controlled committees and from serving as an officer in the [Union]. Although Southwest later retracted the proh ibition, the Union claims that the airline continued its anti-unioniz ation actions via “whisper campaigns and private admonishments against p ilots from getting involved with [the Union].” Southwest’s campaign against union activ ity came to a head when it allegedly stripped the check-pilot qualif ications from one pilot, Captain Timothy Roebling, for his decision to join the Check Pilot Committee.
Check pilots, for example, stopped coming to Union “open houses” because Southwest “threatened” to remove their check-pil ot qualifications if they chose to affiliate with the Union.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Southwest Airlines agreed to avoid hiring quotas and preferences after accusations of discriminatory practices
WASHINGTON (TNND) — Southwest Airlines has agreed to avoid hiring "quotas" and "preferences" after receiving accusations of "discriminatory" practices, a legal group which filed a complaint against the company announced Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (TNND) — Southwest Airlines has agreed to avoid hiring "quotas" and "preferences" after receiving accusations of "discriminatory" practices, a legal group which filed a complaint against the company announced Tuesday.
Workplace equitySettlementAgainst
Southwest Airlines agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment
The source excerpt states: “Southwest Airlines has agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by [the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]...that accused the airline of allowing a male employee to sexually harass female coworkers...Southwest will revise its harassment policy, provide employees a copy of the policy and require supervisors and managers...to undergo...anti-harassment and retaliation training...Southwest denied the allegations…”.
Southwest Airlines has agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by [the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]...that accused the airline of allowing a male employee to sexually harass female coworkers...Southwest will revise its harassment policy, provide employees a copy of the policy and require supervisors and managers...to undergo...anti-harassment and retaliation training...Southwest denied the allegations...
Because Southwest fraudulently concealed the risks, Southwest could and did overcharge its customers.
1 T h e plaintiffs did not assert any physical injury resulting from the safety defects; rather, they argued that Southwest’s fr aud allowed it to ch arge prices that were “significantly higher than the va lue of those tickets, which for many, if not most, passengers was zero.” Id.
EducationConfirmedIn favor
Southwest awards $5,000 aviation scholarships
Southwest awards $5,000 scholarships to students pursuing postsecondary education in aviation-related fields.
Southwest also awards $5,000 scholarships to students pursuing postsecondary education in specific areas related to the aviation industry.
Labor & working conditionsConfirmedAgainst
Southwest Airlines retaliated against Arizona workers
Southwest Airlines retaliated against Arizona workers for taking paid sick time, leading to $2.3 million in fines upheld by an administrative law judge.
PHOENIX — An administrative law judge has upheld more than $2.3 million in fines against Southwest Airlines after the state’s labor department says the company retaliated against Arizona workers for taking paid sick time.
“The Administrative Law Judge’s decision penalizes Southwest for providing a more-generous leave policy than Arizona state law requires and sets a dangerous precedent that will harm Southwest Employees and other employees in Arizona.
PHOENIX — A Maricopa County judge will decide whether Southwest Airlines has to pay more than $2.3 million in labor fines after state regulators say the company retaliated against workers who used their earned sick time.
Corporate conductAllegationAgainst
Southwest Airlines is accused of deceptive email marketing
Southwest Airlines is accused of using false information in email subject lines, such as claiming a sale was ending when it would later be extended, leading to deceptive marketing practices.
The lawsuit accuses Southwest Airlines of using false information in email subject lines, such as claiming a sale was ending when it would later be extended, leading to deceptive marketing practices.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Southwest's conduct deemed especially dangerous due to panic risks
Southwest's conduct is described as especially dangerous because the plaintiff has disabilities and a known risk of panic attacks and acute distress.
Hicks contracted with Southwest for passage on Flight 952, she had a right to be treated equally to white passengers and without discrimination—a right that Southwest violated.
Labor & working conditionsConfirmedYou decide
Southwest fired employee after union recognition
Southwest fired an employee shortly after recognizing a union not elected by workers, allegedly to interfere with employee bargaining choices.
Given that Southwest “recognized” a union that had not been elected by workers and that Southwest fired Roscello very shortly after this recognition, evidence indicated that Southwest held animus against Roscello’s organizing efforts with the Teamsters and that Southwest sought to interfere with the employees’ choice of bargaining representative.
Given that Southwest “recognized” a union that had not been elected by workers and that Southwest fired Roscello very shortly after this recognition, evidence indicated that Southwest held animus against Roscello’s organizing efforts with the Teamsters and that Southwest sought to interfere with the employees’ choice of bargaining representative.
Given that Southwest “recognized” a union that had not been elected by workers and that Southwest fired Roscello very shortly after this recognition, evidence indicated that Southwest held animus against Roscello’s organizing efforts with the Teamsters and that Southwest sought to interfere with the employees’ choice of bargaining representative.
Corporate conductRecallAgainst
Southwest recalls trailer due to tongue separation risk
Southwest is recalling vehicles after Trailer Tongue may separate from the Generator.
Southwest vehicle recall — Trailer Tongue may Separate from the Generator
The Southwest vehicle recall concerns Trailer Tongue may Separate from the Generator.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Kiwi books Southwest flight without email or phone
When Kiwi books a Southwest flight, it does not include the customer's email or phone number, interfering with direct customer notifications from Southwest.
When Kiwi books a Southwest flight, it does not include the customer’s email address or phone number, which interferes with direct customer notifications from Southwest.
Labor & working conditionsConfirmedIn favor
Southwest raises hourly worker pay to $15
Southwest is increasing minimum pay rates so that all hourly employees will make at least $15 per hour.
Southwest Airlines plans to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour to retain and attract employees as the economy and aviation industry rebound. More than 7,000 existing employees stand to benefit from the move, the airline said on Friday. The airline said it expects the pay increases to take effect on Aug. 1, though the timing for some employees will depend on negotiations with unions.
Corporate conductSettlementAgainst
Southwest settles refund failure allegations
Southwest settled for failing to provide prompt or proper refunds to passengers for cancelled or changed flights.
As examples of privacy violations, the letter describes how Airline Reporting Corporation — a data broker owned by Delta, American, United, Southwest, JetBlue and other carriers — sold Customs and Border Protection bulk access to domestic flight records. ARC ended the practice following bipartisan congressional scrutiny and public backlash, the letter says, but notes that earlier this year, DHS issued a public request to government contractors for a replacement airline passenger surveillance system.
Southwest engaged in similar scheduling practices with respect to a flight from Baltimore, Maryland to Cleveland, Ohio.
RELIEF REQUESTED WHEREFORE, the United States and Pete Buttigieg, in his official capacity as the United States Secretary of Transportation, respectfully request judgment in their favor and against Southwest: a. Declaring that Southwest violated 49 U.S.C. § 41712(a), 14 C.F.R.
§ 46106, because Southwest does business in this District and violations giving rise to this action occurred in this District.
Citing an illegal unrealistic scheduling practice, the United States Department of Justice and Department of Transportation have announced a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines, alleging the airline engaged in illegal scheduling practices by operating chronically delayed flights.
This consent order concerns violations of consumer protection laws by Southwest Airlines Co. (Southwest) during and after the operational failures that stranded over two million passengers over the 2022 Christmas holiday and into the New Year.
Specifically, the Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) has determined that Southwest failed to provide prompt or proper refunds to some of its passengers for flights the carrier cancelled or significantly changed in violation of 49 U.S.C.
Non-Transferrable Residual Travel Funds In early 2023, OACP received consumer complaints from passengers who purchased all, or a portion of, their travel with a Southwest gift card, had their flight cancelled or significantly delayed by Southwest, and subsequently requested a refund.
§ 41712 and Served December 15, 2023 14 CFR Part 259 CONSENT ORDER This consent order (“Consent Order” or “order”) concerns violations of consumer protection laws by Southwest Airlines Co. (Southwest) during and after the operational failures that stranded over two million passengers over the 2022 Christmas holiday and into the New Year.
Additionally, the Department has determined that Southwest failed to provide adequate customer service assistance to consumers during the widespread flight irregularities in violation of 49 U.S.C.
The Department has also determined that Southwest failed to provide prompt flight status notifications for flight disruptions , which harmed numerous consumers in violation of 14 CFR § 259.8 and 49 U.S.C.
Specifically, the Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (“OACP”) has determined that Southwest failed to provide prompt or proper refunds to some of its passengers for flights the carrier cancelled or significantly changed in violation of 49 U.S.C.
Non-Transferrable Residual Travel Funds In early 2023, OACP received consumer complaints from passengers who purchased all, or a portion of, their travel with a Southwest gift card, had their flight cancelled or significantly delayed by Southwest, and subsequently requested a refund.
Specifically, the Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (“OACP”) has determined that Southwest failed to provide prompt or proper refunds to some of its passengers for flights the carrier cancelled or significantly changed in violation of 49 U.S.C.
Additionally, the Department has determined that Southwest failed to provide adequate customer service assistance to consumers during the widespread flight irregularities in violation of 49 U.S.C.
§ 41712 and Served December 15, 2023 14 CFR Part 259 CONSENT ORDER This consent order (“Consent Order” or “order”) concerns violations of consumer protection laws by Southwest Airlines Co. (Southwest) during and after the operational failures that stranded over two million passengers over the 2022 Christmas holiday and into the New Year.
The Department has also determined that Southwest failed to provide prompt flight status notifications for flight disruptions , which harmed numerous consumers in violation of 14 CFR § 259.8 and 49 U.S.C.
In the order, the Department assessed a civil penalty of $140 million against Southwest for failing to provide prompt or proper refunds, prompt flight status notifications, and adequate customer service assistance to consumers during an operational disruption that occurred following Winter Storm Elliott (December 21, 2022, to January 2, 2023).
2 BACKGROUND On December 15, 2023, the Department approved a settlement order (Order 2023-12-11) between Southwest and the Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP).
In the order, the Department assessed a civil penalty of $140 million against Southwest for failing to provide prompt or proper refunds, prompt flight status notifications, and adequate customer service assistance to consumers during an operational disruption that occurred following Winter Storm Elliott (December 21, 2022, to January 2, 2023).
2 BACKGROUND On December 15, 2023, the Department approved a settlement order (Order 2023-12-11) between Southwest and the Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP).
In the order, the Department assessed a civil penalty of $140 million against Southwest for failing to provide prompt or proper refunds, prompt flight status notifications, and adequate customer service assistance to consumers during an operational disruption that occurred following Winter Storm Elliott (December 21, 2022, to January 2, 2023).
2 BACKGROUND On December 15, 2023, the Department approved a settlement order (Order 2023-12-11) between Southwest and the Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP).
2 BACKGROUND On December 15, 2023, the Department approved a settlement order (Order 2023-12-11) between Southwest and the Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP).
In the order, the Department assessed a civil penalty of $140 million against Southwest for failing to provide prompt or proper refunds, prompt flight status notifications, and adequate customer service assistance to consumers during an operational disruption that occurred following Winter Storm Elliott (December 21, 2022, to January 2, 2023).
Labor & working conditionsRulingAgainst
Southwest was found to have violated Title VII
Indeed, a jury found that Southwest violated Title VII by “terminat[ing] Carter for her religious beliefs and for engaging in the religious practice of sharing religious beliefs on abortion” and by “failing to accommodate” Carter’s sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances.
Charlene Carter was fired by Southwest in 2017 after sending social media posts to Audrey Stone, the president of Transport Workers Union Local 556 calling her “despicable” for attending the 2017 Women’s March in Washington, D.C. The jury ruled that her termination was a violation of her right to advocate against her union.
Carter, for her part, argues she “only had to prove that any aspect of her religious beliefs, observances, or practices, was a factor in Southwest’s termination decision.” Carter indeed put on evidence showing that Southwest knew she was a pro -life Christian , that her private messages to Stone reflected her religious beliefs, and that Southwest fired her for sending those messages.
23-10536, 23-10836 17 Southwest violated Title VII by “terminat[ing] Carter for her religious beliefs and for engaging in the religious practice of sharing religious beliefs on abortion” and by “failing to accommodate” Carter’s sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances.
With respect to Carter’s Title VII claims, the court found there was a genuine dispute regarding the reason why Southwest fired Carter and why Stone reported Case: 23-10008 Document: 243-1 Page: 9 Date Filed: 05/08/2025
Indeed, a jury found that Southwest violated Title VII by “terminat[ing] Carter for her religious beliefs and for engaging in the religious practice of sharing religious beliefs on abortion” and by “failing to accommodate” Carter’s sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances.
Carter, for her part, argues she “only had to prove that any aspect of her religious beliefs, observances, or practices, was a factor in Southwest’s termination decision.” Carter indeed put on evidence showing that Southwest knew she was a pro -life Christian , that her private messages to Stone reflected her religious beliefs, and that Southwest fired her for sending those messages.
23-10536, 23-10836 17 Southwest violated Title VII by “terminat[ing] Carter for her religious beliefs and for engaging in the religious practice of sharing religious beliefs on abortion” and by “failing to accommodate” Carter’s sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances.
With respect to Carter’s Title VII claims, the court found there was a genuine dispute regarding the reason why Southwest fired Carter and why Stone reported Case: 23-10008 Document: 243-1 Page: 9 Date Filed: 05/08/2025
Corporate conductAllegationAgainst
Southwest is accused of failed training
Southwest is accused of failing to train staff despite federal warnings.