Southwest Airlines cancelled more than 15,000 flights, offers customers frequent-flyer points with apology

Southwest Airlines cancelled more than 15,000 flights, offers customers frequent-flyer points with apology

Hundreds of thousands of passengers in the US were affected when Southwest Airlines cancelled more than 15,000 flights this holiday season. The freak winter storms affected most airlines in the country but Southwest was affected more than the others reportedly due to their inefficient booking and rescheduling systems in place. While most airlines recovered within days from the winter storm, Southwest officials said they had little choice but to cancel most flights midweek because its systems couldn't handle the magnitude of resorting and rescheduling flights after such widespread delays and cancellations. Southwest Airlines offered an olive branch on Tuesday to passengers affected by a meltdown last week: 25,000 bonus points. "Our Purpose has always been to connect our Customers to what's important in their lives," said the email, signed by CEO Bob Jordan. "And this holiday season, as you made plans with us to do just that, we fell short. For that, please accept my personal apology." The White House said Southwest "failed its customers" and added that the government would seek to fine the low-cost Texas-based airline if it does not appropriately reimburse customers for their losses. Southwest said that during the New Year holiday weekend ending Sunday it