A recent crackdown by the Department of Transportation has placed SouthWest Airlines and Frontier Airlines under the spotlight for operating chronically delayed flights. These cases underscore the importance of choosing reliable carriers, especially when timing is critical. While budget airlines can save money, recent events highlight the potential hidden costs of prioritizing price over reliability.
Key Points
- The DOT has sued SouthWest Airlines over two chronically delayed routes in 2022.
- Frontier Airlines faces a $650,000 fine for multiple delayed routes.
- Chronically delayed flights disrupt travel plans, often due to unrealistic scheduling or uncontrollable factors.
- Travelers should weigh reliability against cost when booking flights, especially for time-sensitive plans.
Southwest Airlines Under Fire
SouthWest Airlines is facing a lawsuit from the the Department of Transportation for operating two chronically delayed routes between April and August 2022. These routes—Chicago Midway to Oakland, California, and Baltimore to Cleveland—experienced delays on over half of their flights for four consecutive months. In total, 180 flights were disrupted during this period.
The Department of Transportation defines "chronically delayed flights" as those arriving over 30 minutes late more than half the time for at least four consecutive months. Such delays are often seen as the result of unrealistic scheduling, which the Department of Transportation views as an unfair and deceptive practice.
The lawsuit seeks to impose the maximum daily fines of $37,377 per violation, signaling a stricter approach to holding airlines accountable. In response, Southwest expressed disappointment, stating that the two delayed routes were outliers among the more than 20 million flights they’ve operated since 2009 without similar violations.
Frontier Airlines’ Consent Decree
Frontier Airlines opted to avoid litigation by agreeing to a $650,000 fine for chronically delayed routes. These included flights from Atlanta to Phoenix, Orlando to Houston, and St. Thomas to Orlando. The Department of Transportation's investigation found these delays occurred between December 2022 and April 2023, with some cancellations attributed to weather conditions and unexpected airport construction.
Half of Frontier’s fine will be waived if the airline avoids further violations over the next three years. Frontier stated they accepted the terms to sidestep additional legal costs, but their defense pointed to external factors such as wind patterns and construction as causes for the disruptions.
A New Era of Accountability
These actions reflect a broader trend to increase oversight of airline practices. The Department of Transportation first fine for chronically delayed flights was issued earlier this month against JetBlue, which agreed to pay $2 million to avoid further litigation.
The stricter enforcement signals a shift in how airlines are held accountable for unrealistic schedules and passenger disruptions. However, it also raises questions about how airlines can balance affordability with reliability while contending with unpredictable factors.
Analysis
For travelers, these fines and lawsuits serve as a stark reminder that saving money isn’t always the best choice when booking flights. While budget airlines such as Frontier and Southwest can offer significant cost savings, their schedules may lack the flexibility or resilience to handle disruptions effectively.
Even major carriers aren’t immune to delays, but their robust networks and resources often enable better recovery options for passengers. When timing is crucial, such as for business trips or special events, investing in a more reliable airline may save significant stress and inconvenience.
It’s also worth noting that delays aren’t always within an airline’s control. Weather, air traffic control, and infrastructure issues can wreak havoc on even the most carefully planned schedules. However, the Department of Transportation's actions make it clear that airlines are expected to schedule realistically and communicate delays transparently.
Final Thoughts
As a Travel Advisor, I tend to avoid budget carriers altogether. Over the years, there have been too many issues with these airlines, and our primary goal is to reduce the stress of travel for our clients. Delays or cancellations not only create stress but can also cause a ripple effect that has our clients missing a connecting, a tour, a Cruise, or other planned activities.
We’re also mindful of our reputation. Our clients trust us to identify and mitigate potential problems, ensuring their trips go as smoothly as possible. A canceled or delayed flight can undermine all of our efforts, which is why we encourage choosing reliability over cost when it truly matters. A smooth journey often begins with selecting the right airline, and it’s a decision that can make all the difference in the travel experience.