Southwest Airlines is set to face the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on February 9. The “Strengthening Airline Operations and Consumer Protections” hearing will see airline Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson and President of Southwest Airlines Pilots Association Captain Casey A. Murray testify about December’s catastrophic operational meltdown.

Date in the diary

Chaired by Senator Maria Cantwell, the committee will convene on Thursday morning and review the causes and impact of the air travel disruption over the holiday season, which left millions of passengers stranded. Watterson and Murray will serve as witnesses alongside President of Flyers’ Rights Paul Hudson, Airlines for America’s Senior Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Policy Sharon Pinkerton, and Senior Fellow of think tank The Brookings Institution Dr. Clifford Winston.

Photo: Denver International Airport

Southwest provided Simple Flying with the statement below,

“Southwest’s Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson will highlight Southwest’s 51-year history of providing Customers with safe, reliable, and hospitable air travel during the Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s hearing on Thursday, Feb. 9... He will also use the opportunity to explain how we’ve taken actions to make things right for our Customers since Southwest’s late December disruption, as well as what we’re doing to mitigate the risk of it happening again.”

Federal investigations

Southwest drew criticism from federal agencies and senators following its operational difficulties between December 25 and January 2. Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg slammed the “unacceptable disruption” in several interviews, noting that he would launch an inquiry into the incident. In a letter to CEO Bob Jordan posted on December 28, Buttigieg emphasized the impact of Southwest’s cancellations on families traveling during the winter season and laid out several priorities to ensure all stranded passengers are reimbursed and accommodated.

Last month, the Department of Transport (DOT) confirmed it had begun an investigation over allegations of unfair and deceptive practices by scheduling more flights than it had capacity for. Southwest refuted the complaints, writing in a media statement provided to CNBC,

“Our holiday flight schedule was thoughtfully designed and offered to our Customers with the backing of a solid plan to operate it, and with ample staffing. We will continue to cooperate with any inquiry or request from government oversight or elected officials.”

According to a congressional filing posted earlier this week, Southwest hired former US Representative Jerry Costello as a lobbyist ahead of the upcoming Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization package. Costello previously served as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee during his 25-year tenure in the House of Representatives.

Projected loss in Q4

Southwest’s total net losses during the disruption are expected to reach up to $825 million, with around half coming from reimbursements to passengers and crew. As a gesture of goodwill, the airline offered 25,000 frequent flyer points, worth about $300, to customers affected by the cancellation.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace Simple Flying

The airline has subsequently moved to proactively update its systems alongside General Electric Co. to prevent further disruption. Southwest also took on aviation consulting firm Oliver Wyman to assess the situation and recommend future changes to its operations.

Was your flight affected during the holiday season? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: CNBC, Politico