Southwest Airlines recently made headlines after the U.S. Department of Transportation fined the airline $140 million over holiday flight delays and disruptions in 2022. According to the settlement, Southwest agreed to make reforms issuing refunds and boosting customer service procedures. The fines come in response to backlash following an announcement last summer that Southwest would likely not guarantee flights to reach their destinations in time for the 2022 holidays. Southwest’s planned holiday flight schedule put the carrier at risk of not honoring reservations during peak holiday travel season. Consequently, the DOT revealed Southwest’s violation of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which requires air carriers to timely and accurately process customer requests for refunds. The DOT issued the fines in an effort to protect passengers against any further flight disruptions and to increase Southwest customer service procedures. This includes providing more detailed information when it comes to available alternate flights and refunds to passengers affected by delays or cancellations. The airline has also agreed to pay the full price for each ticket when alternate accommodations are not available or refundable. The settlement is a reminder of how important it is for travelers to check the terms and conditions of their tickets before purchasing. In this case, Southwest agreed to improve its customer service practices and financial compensation for delays or disruptions that arise during the holiday season. While the fines have been issued, Southwest has yet to fully remedy the problem before 2022. Therefore, it’s best for customers to take all necessary precautions when booking their flights.