News

Skift • Meghna Maharishi

Delta, United and Southwest disclose AI use across operations and customer service

Delta, United and Southwest are publicly disclosing how they deploy artificial intelligence across operations and customer service, detailing use cases from operational optimisation to passenger-facing support as the technology becomes more widespread in the industry. The disclosures increase transparency around AI-driven decision-making.

2026-02-18T08:01:22.795052-08:00

CNBC

UBS upgrades Southwest to Buy, pins upside on seating and bag-fee revenue

2026-02-17T03:54:45.362789-08:00

Aviation Week

Southwest to outfit 300+ 737s with Starlink Wi‑Fi — first aircraft this summer, fleetwide by year‑end

2026-02-11T13:55:26.233024-08:00

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Southwest moves flight-attendant reserved overhead bins to rear; crew warn of theft, access and efficiency problems

2026-02-13T19:33:30.328874-08:00

News Timeline

Skift

❗️

Delta, United and Southwest disclose AI use across operations and customer service Delta, United and Southwest are publicly disclosing how they deploy artificial intelligence across operations and customer service, detailing use cases from operational optimisation to passenger-facing support as the technology becomes more widespread in the industry. The disclosures increase transparency around AI-driven decision-making.

2026-02-18T08:01:22.795052-08:00

Delta, United and Southwest disclose AI use across operations and customer service

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

Southwest revises boarding process again to tackle overhead-bin shortages and passenger friction Southwest Airlines has again adjusted its boarding process to ease persistent overhead-bin shortages and passenger frustration following its switch to assigned seating. The tweak aims to reduce gate disputes and improve bin access as the carrier completes cabin reconfigurations and rolls out new ancillary products.

2026-02-17T08:34:13.787586-08:00

Southwest revises boarding process again to tackle overhead-bin shortages and passenger friction

CNBC

UBS upgrades Southwest to Buy, pins upside on seating and bag-fee revenue UBS upgraded Southwest Airlines to Buy from Neutral, citing significant untapped earnings power from seating and checked-bag fees that remain under‑monetized. The bank says monetizing those ancillary revenue streams could provide meaningful upside to the carrier's revenue and margins. UBS's call re‑rates investor expectations for Southwest's profit trajectory.

2026-02-17T03:54:45.362789-08:00

UBS upgrades Southwest to Buy, pins upside on seating and bag-fee revenue

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

❗️

Southwest moves flight-attendant reserved overhead bins to rear; crew warn of theft, access and efficiency problems Southwest has relocated flight attendants’ reserved overhead-bin space from the forward cabin to the rear of aircraft to reduce boarding chaos after its switch to assigned seating. Crew say the move raises theft risks, complicates access and undermines operational efficiency.

2026-02-13T19:33:30.328874-08:00

Southwest moves flight-attendant reserved overhead bins to rear; crew warn of theft, access and efficiency problems

Aviation Week

❗️

Southwest to outfit 300+ 737s with Starlink Wi‑Fi — first aircraft this summer, fleetwide by year‑end Southwest Airlines will retrofit more than 300 aircraft with SpaceX Starlink satellite Wi‑Fi, beginning with a first installation this summer and completing the rollout by year‑end 2026. The carrier says the service will be free to passengers as part of its ongoing onboard-experience upgrades.

2026-02-11T13:55:26.233024-08:00

Southwest to outfit 300+ 737s with Starlink Wi‑Fi — first aircraft this summer, fleetwide by year‑end

CNBC

❗️

Southwest credits bag fees, assigned seating and cost cuts for boost as it forecasts a 300% EPS jump in 2026 Southwest forecast at least $4.00 adjusted EPS for 2026 — roughly a 300% increase from 2025 — and reported Q4 revenue of $7.44 billion, saying bag fees, assigned seating and cost cuts are driving the recovery. Full‑year net profit nonetheless slipped year‑over‑year and benefits remain uneven.

2026-01-28T13:44:12.096586-08:00

Southwest credits bag fees, assigned seating and cost cuts for boost as it forecasts a 300% EPS jump in 2026

Washington Post

❗️

Southwest's first day of assigned seating sparks boarding and overhead-bin clashes Southwest's shift to assigned seating has begun, and the carrier's first day of assigned boarding is already producing visible friction: passengers are contesting boarding order and overhead bin space. The change alters boarding behaviour, gate operations and passenger experience as the airline moves away from open seating.

2026-01-28T08:09:27.965216-08:00

Southwest's first day of assigned seating sparks boarding and overhead-bin clashes

FlightGlobal

❗️

Southwest completes 737-700 reconfiguration ahead of Jan. 27 launch of assigned seating and extra‑legroom options Southwest Airlines has finished cabin modifications across its Boeing 737‑700 fleet, removing one row of seats from each aircraft ahead of the Jan. 27 launch of assigned seating and a paid extra‑legroom product. The work prepares the carrier to implement seat assignments and new ancillary options.

2026-01-21T21:04:48.485833-08:00

Southwest completes 737-700 reconfiguration ahead of Jan. 27 launch of assigned seating and extra‑legroom options

Menu

Southwest Airlines News

Delta, United and Southwest disclose AI use across operations and customer service

UBS upgrades Southwest to Buy, pins upside on seating and bag-fee revenue

Southwest to outfit 300+ 737s with Starlink Wi‑Fi — first aircraft this summer, fleetwide by year‑end

Southwest moves flight-attendant reserved overhead bins to rear; crew warn of theft, access and efficiency problems

News Timeline