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The Department of Transportation (DOT) has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines, alleging the airline operated "chronically delayed flights." The lawsuit claims that Southwest ran two routes with a total of 180 delays between April and August 2022. According to the DOT, a flight is considered "chronically delayed" if it operates at least ten times monthly and arrives over 30 minutes late more than half the time.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated, "Airlines have a legal obligation to ensure that their flight schedules provide travelers with realistic departure and arrival times." He added that this action serves as a warning to all airlines about enforcing passenger protections.
The lawsuit highlights two specific routes: one between Chicago's Midway International Airport and Oakland International Airport in California, and another between Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The DOT noted that Southwest was responsible for over 90% of these delays, excluding factors like inclement weather.
