Ticket Despite the price cap, some airfares soared into four figures during. This week’s travel nightmare.
By Rob Wile
As Southwest Airlines pulled off a wave of flight cancellations this week. Other major carriers announced they would institute price caps. Especially in cities Southwest serves — to limit the financial burden. On fliers stuck trying to reach their destinations.
Among them are American, United and Delta, all which said they would cap. Fares in all markets Southwest serves as of Monday.
But despite the announcement, airfare data. Hows that prices to and from many of the affected destinations are skyrocketing.
Google Flight Information shows prices over the next few days for one-way trips from airports. Like Nashville International, Ronald Reagan Washington International and Chicago Midway International. All Southwest hubs.
For example, a one-way ticket from Nashville, Tennessee to Denver International Airport. Two hubs heavily affected by this week’s flight cancellations — starts at more than $600.
Washington, D.C. A one-way flight from Los Angeles International Airport. Left Friday for more than $1,000.
Many flyers took to social media to express their frustration.
Suzanne Durham, a music industry professional based in Nashville. Spent Christmas in Boston and was scheduled to return home to the Southwest on Monday. After her original flight was canceled, she was able to rebook another flight leaving later in the week. on Southwest, but she had a feeling that flight would also be canceled.
So he decided to book an extra flight on American Airlines for more than $900, he said.
“When I was booking that flight, I couldn’t believe it was that expensive,” Durham said in a follow-up interview. He said American did not specify what class the ticket was and it turned out to be business class.
Meanwhile, Southwest’s chief commercial officer, Ryan Greene, apologized for the travel. Disruption in a video Wednesday night, telling passengers they could submit full. Refund requests for canceled flights and file travel expenses on the airline’s website.
Meanwhile, Southwest’s chief commercial officer, Ryan Greene, apologized for the travel. Disruption in a video Wednesday night, ticket telling passengers they could submit full. Refund requests for canceled flights and file travel expenses on the airline’s website.
“My personal apology is the first step in making things right after so many plans have changed. And the experience fell short of your expectations of us,” Green said. “We keep working to make it for you.”
A Department of Transportation representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an interview with Nexstar Media on Tuesday. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg praised airlines for putting price caps in place.
“No one should take advantage of the situation,” said Buttigieg. Who acknowledged that the department may have limited legal authority to deal with the situation.
“We’re really hoping that airlines will go beyond the legal small and do the right thing here,” he said. “There should be no enforcement action from our department to take care of people or get their money back.”
