HOUSTON – Southwest Airlines customers and staff have had a rough holiday season, and judging from the messages left on social media, that’s an incredible understatement.
The delays and cancellations following a devastating winter storm and its fallout have left people affected by the Southwest situation with limited options and many frustrations. However, as with any crisis, there are helpers, too -- those that are trying to give people peace of mind about their luggage and ticket-counter employees who are handing out coffee to exhausted travelers.
Recommended Videos
Take a look at the social media posts that show the range of experiences throughout the Southwest delays, cancellations and, well, nightmares.
Flight delayed? Bring someone joy. I love this idea! #SouthwestAirlines #southwest pic.twitter.com/VRAidKmxob
— Hema Mullur (@HemaMullur) December 28, 2022
EVERY OTHER AIRLINE IS FLYING JUST FINE @SouthwestAir why do you keep telling me it’s weather related to avoid paying for stranded passengers. #fly #southweststolechristmas #SOUTHWEST pic.twitter.com/CiHIl1ndjd
— K8sarkissian (@k8sarkissian) December 27, 2022
If you’re flying #Southwest, good luck 👏🏼 I waited in line for two hours but did manage to walk away with a full refund and $300 in flight vouchers, so could be worse.
— Allie Martin (@AllieMartin8) December 26, 2022
Also bless the Southwest employees. Some were saying the earliest to rebook flights aren’t till the 30th on. pic.twitter.com/kSDkZEXouZ
Worth reminding everyone that not everyone can afford a rental car or a hotel room, especially for multiple nights. Some people can just barely afford a plane ticket. #Southwest
— Brandon Richard (@BrandonLRichard) December 27, 2022
I really hope that we can do a class action lawsuit against #southwest…all this lost luggage and carelessness should make them cough up some money
— Gawdess, Riah (@gambeaux) December 26, 2022
Thank you #SouthwestAirlines #SOUTHWEST #ATL for a truly unforgettable holiday travel experience. :/
— H. I. McDunnough (@HDunnough) December 28, 2022
The breaking point is when it’s bad enough that you say to your family… “forget the luggage - let’s just go.” AND WE ABSOLUTELY LEFT! 🤷🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/AW8RRcyh9V
#Southwest #southweststolechristmas has been in the airport for over 24 hours with 2 little kids and 1 infant, no flights going home, no where to go. No sleep for over 36hours, southwest has no explanation, no hotel, no flights go home, out of diapers, out of formula, hopeless pic.twitter.com/1ibXV550VV
— L Z (@LZ68916343) December 26, 2022
After our #Southwest flights home got cancelled, we didn’t want to drive 2hrs to the airport to stand in a massive line & maybe get a flight in a few days, so we’re roadtripping! 🙃
— Daniella Rivera (@RiveraDanie) December 27, 2022
Today is also 3yrs married for us. My husband is calling this a “romantic anniversary roadtrip” pic.twitter.com/DZ3HW9O1HT
Maybe it's heresy, but I also feel enormous empathy for front-facing #Southwest employees, from ticket and gate agents, to flight crews, to baggage handlers. They did not create this mess, but now they must deal with it.
— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) December 27, 2022
And passengers. This does not end with the crisis.
Just remember y’all, Southwest has screwed up a lot this weekend, but please don’t be mean to the ticket agents. They are working and they are away from their families as well. It’s not their fault that they are understaffed #southwestair #Southwest #BeKind
— Pivot Pivot Pivot (@itsamoopoint318) December 25, 2022
#Southwest says it's not subject to Department of Transportation when cancelling. Here's how they did it in Denver. No vouchers, no flights for three days at least. No compensation. They knew they didn't have staff days ago. pic.twitter.com/xnRddHZg3e
— b (@thelamiam) December 27, 2022
As a loyal #Southwest flyer and defender for YEARS, I would like to personally thank them for canceling all of my family (including the GROOM)’s flights FOR MY WEDDING🖕
— Wendi Reichstein (@WendiReichstein) December 27, 2022
Gus polinski was built for this Christmas airport moment. He’s got a gig tonight in Chicago and then heading back to Sheboygan if you need a ride. #SOUTHWEST https://t.co/0mJmsY0hz0 pic.twitter.com/At3udRDqgq
— John Daniels 🔥 (@jdanielssports) December 27, 2022
Sending some extra thoughts to my friends at Southwest. Be kind to everyone working the front lines knowing it’s just as frustrating for them as it is for you. #southwestairlines #southwest pic.twitter.com/ekOUA8DkmL
— Ryan Patterson (@diecastryan) December 27, 2022
*For everyone to use tomorrow*
— Jackie Barrientes (@JBarrientes_DC) December 27, 2022
"Dear boss,
I'm not at my desk today because #Southwest has me sleeping on an airport floor because of technical and staffing issues. According to their website, I should be back in the office after Dec. 31. The airline sends their apologies."
#SOUTHWEST Baggage claim at BNA (Nashville) right now… wow.
— sky! (@Rahlyx) December 27, 2022
This is so bad. They were making an announcement saying if your bag isn’t here they can’t go find it, and to start making claims for costs caused by the cancellations 😬 pic.twitter.com/924yDQS3xX
Bags that made it to #LAX without their #Southwest passengers.
— Lauren Coronado (@LaurenmCoronado) December 27, 2022
I spoke with one woman who says her bags beat her to LAX by 3 days! Updates on @nbcla pic.twitter.com/txCUQRSEhs
That's a hard troll at #SOUTHWEST pic.twitter.com/5EZZsTcaLA
— Jesse Risley (@Jesse_Risley) December 28, 2022
At Orlando airport #MCO lookin for my bags … this is just 1 floor of 3 #southwest pic.twitter.com/l28Pn0za81
— prof kwy🏹 (@KwySan) December 28, 2022
Sacramento Airport this evening = #Southwest oversold amount of canceled flights is insane. #Airport pic.twitter.com/6044bXDynG
— Thomas Kellogg (@oldnickels) December 28, 2022
Southwest right now 🤣😂#SOUTHWEST #SouthwestAirlines pic.twitter.com/h78eTkFe7U
— Blake D. (@BlakeDPhoto) December 27, 2022
Just saw this great idea on reddit. If you're stuck in an airport because of #southwestAir, try telling people where their bag is stuck. #southwestairlines #Southwest pic.twitter.com/IQr8pE0Wzs
— strange rock 'n roller (@bigcomedown) December 27, 2022
#SOUTHWEST NIGHTMARE: All flights leaving San Diego tonight are canceled, announcement just now over the intercom says the airline is “frozen and not able to assist with rebooking.” People are told find their bags in these piles. Several are in tears. @10News pic.twitter.com/cpUfblhV5t
— Laura Acevedo (@10NewsAcevedo) December 27, 2022
A @SouthwestAir pilot hands out coffee to delayed passengers on a flight from Baltimore to Louisville. “We’re trying folks,” he told the crowd to a smattering of applause as everyone waited for replacement flight attendants. #Southwest pic.twitter.com/fmMAqS4cck
— Eric Flack (@EricFlackTV) December 27, 2022
Spotted an endangered species in the wild. pic.twitter.com/rT3XmZVmGy
— Matt Lanza (@mattlanza) December 28, 2022
RELATED: Southwest Airlines’ holiday meltdown brings on federal investigation
What has your experience with Southwest Airlines been like this holiday season? Let us know in the comments.
