Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is bringing back all flight attendants who participated in the airline’s voluntary Extended Time-Off Program.

U.S. airlines, including American, United and Alaska, are pulling Boeing Max jets from their fleets after Boeing reported an electrical issue with the planes.

Boeing has told 16 of its customers to address a possible electrical issue in group of 737 Max aircraft before using them further.

Early on in the pandemic, when travel demand had slumped to historic lows, Southwest had implemented its voluntary time off program, offering employees "who wish to continue their employment" the opportunity to take long-term time off.

Air travel is bouncing back and leaving millions with frequent flyer miles that are set to expire.

Southwest says it still expects 28 Max 8 aircraft to be delivered this year. At the same time, the company will also retire 17 737-700 planes.

U.S. passenger airline traffic fell 60.1% in 2020 to the lowest number since 1984 as the COVID-19 pandemic devastated demand for air travel, the U.S. Transportation Department said on Tuesday.

A winter storm that caused dangerous travel conditions and power outages for thousands forced airlines across the country to cancel flights and issue waivers.

Delta announced on Monday that it was extending its middle-seat block for one more month, to the end of April. Delta, the last U.S. airline to block all middle seats in coach, will consider further extensions based on Covid-19 transmission and vaccination rates.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still lingering, major U.S. airlines are rerouting traditional flights from major business hubs to more leisurely destinations.

However, the chief executive said the airline remains "very well prepared" to weather this storm and was encouraged by the various executive orders put in place in the Aloha State as well as its pre-travel testing program.

Last month, the company said it had issued notices to 6,828 employees warning them that they could be furloughed

Southwest customers may still travel with their cat or dog as part as of the airline's existing pets program for a charge of $95 each way per pet carrier. However, the animals must meet all applicable requirements regarding in-cabin stowage.

Nearly 100 passengers were evacuated from a Southwest Airlines in Baltimore.

The sales come on the heels of a travel surge during the holiday season.

The airline- which had never laid off a worker in its 49-year history-- had cautioned just weeks ago that nearly 7,000 workers were in danger of losing their job come within a few months if their unions did not accept pay cuts of about 10%.

Airline pilots and other employees are watching congressional leaders' coronavirus relief talks with hope.

Southwest Airlines Co said on Wednesday it expects to take delivery of 35 737 MAX aircraft from Boeing Co through the end of 2021.

In response to what's known as "Giving Tuesday," some of the country's largest carriers have begun encouraging their customers to donate air miles to help offset travel costs for organizations.

Southwest Airlines, which has never laid off a worker in its 49-year history, notified 6,828 employees that they may be involuntarily furloughed next year as the airline industry continues to suffer amid the coronavirus pandemic.