Southwest Airlines is adding new vacation destinations to its network next year as the Texas-based carrier continues a broader transformation with an eye toward expansion.

The government shutdown has triggered 1,000-plus flight delays as the FAA cuts capacity at 40 airports. Airlines are offering refunds and policy changes amid ongoing travel disruptions.

Southwest said it would cut more than 120 flights starting Friday, Nov. 7 due to an FAA order to reduce air traffic during the government shutdown.

Airlines are reducing flights starting Friday under a new FAA directive. Here’s how United, Southwest and American are handling it.

DFW Airport and Dallas Love Field are reportedly among the airports affected by the Federal Aviation Administration decision to reduce flights and restrict airspace starting Friday. The big picture: The cuts may start at 4% Friday before ramping up to 10% over the following few days if the federal government shutdown continues,

The Trump administration late on Wednesday froze government-imposed flight cuts at 40 major airports at 6% after air traffic control absences fell sharply, hours ahead of an expected end to the record-long U.

In a shocking twist of fate, Southwest Airlines has introduced some actually good updates to its flight operations. Starting January 27th, 2026, the 58-year-old company announced that it would be switching to assigned seating, new boarding groups with a new group organization system, and last-minute priority boarding options.

Southwest Airlines told ​employees Wednesday it is ‌optimistic the Federal Aviation Administration will ‌soon allow U. airlines to resume its full schedule.