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Southwest Airlines Issues Travel Advisory Due To Weather, Traffic Control Issues

October 9, 2021 / 11:24 PM PDT / KCAL News

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - Southwest Airlines issued a travel advisory on Saturday due to bad weather and traffic control issues.

Southwest tweeted out that "A-T-C issues and disruptive weather" has resulted in a high amount of cancellations this weekend.

ATC issues and disruptive weather have resulted in a high volume of cancellations throughout the weekend while we work to recover our operation. We appreciate your patience as we accommodate affected Customers, and Customer Service wait times are longer than usual. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/o1scQJ5lLb — Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) October 9, 2021

The company said to check its website and look at rebooking if your travel plans have been affected by the travel advisory.

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My flight is significantly delayed, canceled or disrupted. What are my options?

We're sorry your flight was significantly delayed or canceled. We want to make it right. You have a few options available.

For significant flight delays or Southwest-initiated cancellations, we will rebook you on the next available Southwest® flight(s) with seats available to your ticketed destination at no additional cost.

In the event of a cancellation, in most cases, after a few minutes, you will be automatically rebooked on another Southwest flight to your destination. If Southwest called, texted, or emailed you with a new itinerary, your new reservation is confirmed, and you don't need to do anything else. If your new flight(s) does not fit your plans or you aren't automatically rebooked, you have the option to change or cancel your flight.

Change your significantly delayed flight

If you have been affected by a significant flight delay and you’re at the airport, please speak with a Customer Service Agent. Alternatively, you may speak with a Customer Representative via phone.

Change your canceled flight

If you have been affected by a Southwest-initiated cancellation, you can self-serve and change each flight date/time in your original reservation, both the impacted and non-impacted, by up to 14 days from your original travel date and up to two times at no additional cost.

Cancel your reservation because of a significant flight delay or Southwest-initiated cancellation

Request a Southwest LUV Voucher

If Southwest cancels or significantly delays a flight because of something we determine we can control (like a mechanical issue or needing to swap out planes) , you may be eligible for compensation in the form of a Southwest LUV Voucher if:

• Southwest canceled or delayed your flight less than eight days before it was supposed to leave and you arrived to your final destination three or more hours later than planned; and
• The cause of the delay or cancellation was something Southwest determined we could control; and
• You ask for the Southwest LUV Voucher using Southwest.com/DelayForm no later than one year from the date of the delayed/canceled flight(s).

Review more information about the request process.

Related Articles

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From boarding assignments to pretzels: What to expect on your next Southwest Airlines flight

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

For the first time since mid-March, the U.S. has passed that much-anticipated date when more than 1 million travelers flew in a single day .

That's still less than half the normal rate of daily flyers, but it's progress for an industry that was almost entirely shut down — even though many would-be travelers that still haven't packed their carry-on bag or printed a boarding pass since the pandemic took hold.

Each U.S. airline has taken its own distinct approach to flying in the age of the coronavirus , but Southwest Airlines has always had a unique way of doing things. With its coveted Companion Pass , lack of advance seat assignments, no bag fees for most checked or carry-on bags and no change fees , flying with Southwest has always felt special.

Those core elements haven't changed, but other aspects of flying Southwest have — all in the name of safety and distancing due to COVID-19. Here's what to expect if you plan to board a Southwest Airlines flight in the near future.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter .

Blocked middle seats — until December

Southwest Airlines doesn't assign seats, so saying middle seats are blocked isn't exactly the case (as TPG's Benet Wilson experienced firsthand ). Until Dec. 1, 2020, however, Southwest is only booking flights to two-thirds capacity (about 67%), so middle seats can remain open.

You and your family or friends can still sit three across and fill the middle, if you wish. But, otherwise, you're almost guaranteed to have extra elbow room when flying Southwest until the calendar flips to December. After that, the airline can book flights to 100% capacity.

Related: These airlines are still blocking middle seats

As always, your boarding group is what determines when you can get on board and claim your seat(s) of choice. This may matter more than ever after Dec. 1. Families with kids ages 6 and younger (defined as up to two adults with children) can board during Family Boarding between the A and B groups. For other travelers, during a typical Southwest flight, you'll board according to your group (A through C) and boarding position (1 through 60).

You can purchase EarlyBird boarding and let Southwest claim your spot in the virtual boarding line 36 hours before departure. Otherwise, check in exactly 24 hours before departure for the earliest boarding spot. If available, you can also purchase A1 to A15 boarding places at the gate. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card includes four credits for these boarding positions each year.

Here are more tips for getting the best seats on Southwest Airlines .

Related: Southwest to stop blocking middle seats in December

Boarding 10 at a time

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Southwest boarded by groups A 1 to 30, followed by A 31 to 60; B 1 to 30, B 31 to 60; all the way through the C groups. Travelers would line up in a single-file row at the gate and board the plane (in numerical order) in groups of 30.

Now, Southwest Airlines boards in groups of 10 people at a time. This means you need to be at the gate listening and ready before boarding, but you won't be camping out at your spot in line until called.

Related: Best credit cards for flying Southwest Airlines

Masks required for everyone 2 and older

Southwest Airlines requires face masks for all customers 2 years of age and older. Other than being under 2 years old, there are no exemptions to Southwest's face mask mandate.

Face masks with exhaust valves, or those made of a material such as lace or mesh, are not permitted. Neck gaiters are allowed as long as they cover the nose and mouth and are secured under the chin. Face shields are allowed in addition to (but not instead of) face masks.

Related: Do kids have to wear face masks on planes ?

Minimal onboard service

If you think you're going to need to drink or eat anything substantial on a Southwest flight, it's a good idea to come prepared.

Southwest is serving water and snack mix on flights of 250 miles or longer, but that's it. (Which, honestly, I think is smart: Here's why serving alcohol on a flight may not be the best plan right now.)

You can take down your mask while actively eating or drinking on Southwest, but the airline wants you to keep it quick. The Southwest website states: "We do acknowledge there may be times when a customer needs to briefly remove their face covering, for instance, to eat, drink or take medicine. However, we expect these instances to be very brief, and customers should put their face covering back on as soon as possible."

Related: What in-flight service to expect on your next flight

Cleanliness standards

Southwest Airlines says it's using Sani-Cide EX3, a broad-spectrum disinfectant, to clean onboard lavatories and tray tables before every flight. Additionally, the airline claims it's deep cleaning planes from nose to tail for six to seven hours each every night.

In fact, some travelers may choose to book the first flight of the day for precisely that reason. TPG's senior credit cards editor, Benet Wilson , is a regular Southwest flyer. She said when she took her first Southwest flight during the pandemic in late August, she "chose the earliest nonstop flight" because she knows the airline "keeps its last flights [from] the previous night parked at the gate."

"I also knew the plane would be cleaner, since there was time to disinfect it while it sat on the ground overnight," she explained.

Wilson also received a disinfecting wipe along with her complimentary water and pretzels. You can also bring your own wipes and hand sanitizer. Remember, the TSA is currently allowing you to bring up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer, up from the normal 3.4-ounce maximum.

Related: What to pack onboard your next pandemic-era flight

Bottom line

On all my recent Southwest Airlines flights, I felt extremely safe and as comfortable as possible during these strange and uncertain times. My fellow travelers have been good about wearing their masks, and compliance was regularly reinforced by the flight attendants. The minimal onboard service has likely helped, since there's not much in the way of complimentary food and beverages. .

All that said, some Southwest flights will fill up after Dec. 1, when the airline is no longer capping capacity. So, plan accordingly and ensure you're able to claim your preferred seat on board with strategic boarding pass assignments.

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Travel Advisory

Information regarding travel restrictions, entry requirements, weather advisories, and other factors that may affect your travel plans.

Tropical Storm Ileana

Based on the forecasted weather conditions for the following cities, our scheduled service on Friday through Saturday, September 13 through 14 may be disrupted (flights may be delayed, diverted, and/or canceled).

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Customers holding reservations to, from, or through the cities listed above on the corresponding dates who want to alter their travel plans may rebook or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying additional charges. Additionally, Customers holding reservations for a flight that is canceled or Customers who opt not to travel as a result of a significant delay may request a refund for the unused portion of their ticket. Alternatively, Customers may cancel the reservation and hold the value of the unused portion of the ticket as a flight credit that can be used to buy a future flight.

Customers who purchased their flights via Southwest.com or our mobile app or by calling Southwest Airlines are eligible to reschedule their travel plans online or from their mobile device.

If you are calling Southwest Airlines from one of our international cities, please visit our Help Center for contact information.

For specific flight information, you may check flight status .

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The Guide to Southwest Flight Cancellations

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Table of Contents

How to find your Southwest flight status

Why are southwest airlines flights canceled, does southwest cancel flights often, what to do if southwest airlines cancels your flight, how to rebook a canceled flight, how to get a refund from southwest, how to (try) to avoid a delay or cancellation, credit cards with travel insurance, consider travel insurance, final thoughts on southwest flight cancellations.

Southwest refunds travelers for cancellations that they initiate.

In most cases, Southwest will automatically rebook you on another flight to your destination.

If the rebooking doesn't work for you, you can choose to cancel your trip and receive a full refund.

Get travel insurance or use a travel credit card with trip cancellation coverage to better protect yourself.

If you cancel your flight, Southwest will offer a flight credit or a refund, depending on the fare type.

Some travelers may remember the 2022 Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown. But that wasn't the only time Southwest has experienced chaos over cancellations and had to reimburse passengers , and it may not be the last (even if it happens on a more individual rather than nationwide level).

There's a chance your upcoming flight might be delayed or canceled, so it’s important to be familiar with the Southwest Airlines cancellation policy.

Here's a look at how to navigate Southwest Airlines flight cancellations, including how to rebook on a different flight and how you might even be able to get some money back.

To know the status of your flight, go to Southwest’s flight status page and enter your departure and arrival airports and travel dates. You’ll be able to see any flight updates instantly.

Southwest Airlines flights can get canceled for a variety of reasons. While some are the airline's fault, others are beyond their control.

These are some of the most common reasons for Southwest cancellations:

Mechanical issues . If there's a mechanical issue, an airline will delay or cancel the flight until the problem has been fixed.

Severe weather. In some cases, the weather problems aren't in your departure or arrival city, but are in the region where the plane is coming from.

Staffing issues. Airplanes must have a minimum number of crew members on the flight; otherwise, they legally cannot fly.

Schedule changes.  Airlines adjust their schedules based on seasonality, customer demand, weather forecasts and other issues. Typically, these schedule changes are announced in advance so that you can make other arrangements to complete travel.

Sometimes, these issues cause delays, not cancellations. If you're experiencing a delay, educate yourself on when and how you can get flight delay compensation from Southwest .

But if a delay turns into a cancellation, here’s how to proceed.

» Learn more: How to book a flight that (likely) won’t get canceled

In 2023, Southwest Airlines canceled 1.00% of its flights, according to NerdWallet analysis of U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics arrival data . That's less than most of its peers, except for Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future performance, it’s can be a good indicator.

When your Southwest flight is canceled, whether you found out due to a Southwest flight tracker or a text at the gate, it’s important to know the Southwest flight cancellation policy and take action quickly to minimize the impact on your travel plans.

Here are your options for Southwest cancellations:

Accept a rebooking on a new Southwest flight.

Request a refund and book a new flight on another airline.

Don't travel.

Consider other travel plans you've made, weigh the options carefully and decide which will work best. If you opt out of flying with Southwest, you are entitled to a refund — don't settle for a future flight credit.

All U.S. airfares are entitled to a full refund under Transportation Department regulations if your flight was canceled. You are also entitled to a refund of any other fees you paid for that flight, including EarlyBird Check-In fees.

» Learn more: How to get a Southwest Airlines refund

If Southwest has canceled your flight, the airline will most likely automatically rebook your travel on the next available Southwest flight.

If the new flight times don’t work for you, call customer service at 800-435-9792 or speak with a gate agent to choose a new flight. You can change the flight date and time by up to 14 days without an extra charge.

Here's the pro move. If you're in the middle of a trip and your flight is canceled, you can book another flight on the most convenient airline as a backup plan. Most airlines, including Southwest, give travelers 24 hours to cancel tickets without penalty. If the cash price is high and you have airline miles with a different airline or flexible points like Chase Ultimate Rewards® or American Express Membership Points , check if redemption is worth it to get you home.

If Southwest can accommodate you on another flight, simply cancel the backup reservation (ideally this is within that 24-hour time window, so you'll get your money back). Otherwise, you can request a refund from Southwest instead of a rebooking.

» Learn more: How to upgrade a Southwest flight

Southwest offers several different fare types, each with its own rules about cancellations, changes and refunds. Business Select and Anytime fares are refundable at any time. However, Wanna Get Away Plus and Wanna Get Away fares are usually nonrefundable (though you can get a Southwest travel funds for these fares to apply towards future flights).

If you decide not to travel due to a cancellation, Southwest must refund the unused portion of your ticket, regardless of the fare type. You are also entitled to a refund of any other fees that you paid for that flight, including seat upgrades.

To request a refund, contact Southwest customer service at 800-435-9792. Southwest will return the money to your original form of payment. If you don’t reach out to request that refund, Southwest may offer a voucher for future travel instead. Before accepting this offer, be sure you understand the voucher's limitations.

For travelers who prefer a voucher, the Southwest travel funds page details the balance, expiration date and status of your unused flight credits.

» Learn more: Your guide to booking award flights on Southwest

Southwest provides historical flight performance when you're searching for your fare. Although it's no guarantee, consider choosing a flight with a good on-time arrival and a low cancellation rate. You can see this information on the search results page if you select the flight number above the departure time.

Southwest also provides a digital history of the airports that have experienced travel impacts in the recent past.

Many travel credit cards include trip cancellation protections when you buy an airline ticket using the card.

These benefits provide reimbursement when there are flight cancellations or if your trip is affected by weather, sickness or other covered situations. You're protected against losing money on prepaid and nonrefundable travel expenses, including tours, hotels and passenger fares.

Trip delay reimbursement covers you when your trip is delayed more than a specific number of hours or requires an overnight stay. This coverage is ideal if your flight is canceled when you’re not at your starting destination and the airline can’t put you on a new flight until much later or the next day. It covers expenses such as meals and lodging that you incur as a result of this delay.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

While some credit cards include travel protections, they typically are less comprehensive than purchasing a travel insurance policy. These policies can cover a single trip or protect several trips within a set time period. Most travel insurance companies offer a variety of policies and coverage levels to meet each traveler's budget and needs.

In addition to trip cancellation and delay protections, many travel insurance policies also cover emergency medical treatment and transportation, baggage loss or damage, and more.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

When Southwest flight cancellations occur, it’s important to know your rights and take action. There are many reasons why your flight might be canceled, but when you act quickly, you can update your plans and reduce the impact on the rest of your trip.

Many travel credit cards and travel insurance policies offer valuable protections that cover nonrefundable reservations and unexpected expenses caused by a cancellation. By taking advantage of these protections, you can minimize frustration and eliminate out-of-pocket costs resulting from a canceled flight.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Travelers scramble as Southwest Airlines cancels thousands of flights

MILWAUKEE — Southwest Airlines says it plans to operate a reduced schedule by flying one-third of its schedule for the next several days.

The airline says the extreme winter weather continues to challenge its employees. Southwest now plans to rebalance by repositioning its crews and fleet.

• 2 dozen flights still canceled at Milwaukee Mitchell Airport on Tuesday
• Wisconsinites frustrated over 'radio silence' from Southwest Airlines
• Southwest Airlines flight cancellations causing major headaches for travelers

"We were fully staffed and prepared for the approaching holiday weekend when the severe weather swept across the continent, where Southwest is the largest carrier in 23 of the top 25 travel markets in the U.S," Southwest said in a statement. "These operational conditions forced daily changes of an unprecedented volume and magnitude to our flight schedule and the tools our teams use to recover the airline remain at capacity."

Customers can contact Southwest to rebook or request a refund on the airline's website. Southwest's Travel Advisory remains in effect to offer customers maximum flexibility with rebooking, the airline says.

Jamila Sampson and her three kids have been trying to get home to Atlanta. Sampson said she heard about the issues, but when her flight information was confirmed overnight she felt good about going to the airport. However, Tuesday morning Sampson could not access the Southwest app and found out after arriving at the airport that their flight was canceled.

Sampson was left competing with other passengers for flights through another airline. So far, she has one ticket for Saturday but still needs to find tickets for her kids. Thankfully, they have family to stay with in Milwaukee.

"Everybody on the flight should've been alerted your flight is canceled. Had I known that last night, maybe I would've been able to get us all on the same flight, or had I known that even before coming to the airport, then maybe I wouldn't have driven over here," Sampson said.

Southwest Airlines pointed to consecutive days of extreme winter weather causing significant disruptions despite being fully staffed and prepared for the holiday weekend.

In the baggage claim area, suitcases piled up as a guard sat nearby. Southwest representatives were seen trying to locate customers' luggage.

"First Christmas as a married couple has been very eventful," said Sophia Barnes.

Newlyweds Sophia Barnes and John Stimpson are trying to make it home to Washington D.C.

"She goes, 'it's all gone.' All of Southwest flights are canceled tomorrow and the only alternatives are to pay like $900 for a one-way flight," Stimpson said as he recalled his wife breaking the news.

The couple got lucky and nabbed a rental car to weather the 12-hour drive back.

"What can you do than go with the flow and make the best of it, right," Stimpson said.

Some travelers said Southwest could not get them on a flight until Jan. 2.

The airline said on Tuesday that it will operate on a reduced schedule by flying about one-third of its schedule over the next several days.

________________________________

Southwest Airline's full statement can be read below:

"With consecutive days of extreme winter weather across our network behind us, continuing challenges are impacting our Customers and Employees in a significant way that is unacceptable.

And our heartfelt apologies for this are just beginning.

We're working with Safety at the forefront to urgently address wide-scale disruption by rebalancing the airline and repositioning Crews and our fleet ultimately to best serve all who plan to travel with us.

We were fully staffed and prepared for the approaching holiday weekend when the severe weather swept across the continent, where Southwest is the largest carrier in 23 of the top 25 travel markets in the U.S. These operational conditions forced daily changes of an unprecedented volume and magnitude to our flight schedule and the tools our teams use to recover the airline remain at capacity.

This safety-first work is intentional, ongoing, and necessary to return to normal reliability, one that minimizes last-minute inconveniences. As we continue the work to recover our operation, we have made the decision to continue operating a reduced schedule by flying roughly one third of our schedule for the next several days. And we're working to reach Customers whose travel plans will change to offer specific information and available options, also available at Southwest.com/traveldisruption .

Our Employees and Crews scheduled to work this holiday season are showing up in every single way. We are beyond grateful for that. Our shared goal is to take care of every single Customer with the Hospitality and Heart for which we're known.

On the other side of this, we'll work to make things right for those we've let down, including our Employees.

With no concern higher than ultimate Safety, the People of Southwest share a goal to take care of each and every Customer. We recognize falling short and sincerely apologize." Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip

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Here's what the Boeing strike might mean for flyers

Boeing workers went on strike Friday, the latest disturbance in what has proven a devastating year for the American aircraft manufacturer .

But it is not clear whether the labor stoppage will have an impact for the flying public, although there are concerns about a potential effect on air travel next summer.

U.S. carriers that rely heavily on Boeing planes include Southwest, United and Alaska Airlines .

In a statement, Southwest said its operations were unlikely to be affected in the short-term by any production delays Boeing may end up suffering.

“Earlier this year, Southwest Airlines took steps to address potential delivery disruptions," the carrier said. "As a result, we currently have the fleet needed to fulfill our upcoming schedules. We remain in close communication with Boeing.”

Southwest exclusively uses Boeing 737s — planes made made in Renton, Washington, one of the sites now on strike by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Southwest had sharply brought down its delivery target for Boeing aircraft earlier this year.

A United spokesperson said the carrier was working with Boeing to understand what the impact to the airline's delivery schedule might be.

A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Airlines are in charge of maintaining aircraft once they come into possession of them, and crews won't sign off on allowing a plane to fly if it is deemed not airworthy, said Henry Harteveldt, founder and president of Atmosphere Research Group, an airline industry consultancy.

"There will probably be very little direct impact on consumers as a result of the Boeing strike," Harteveldt told NBC News.

Estimates of how long the strike could last vary widely. The previous Boeing machinists strike, in 2008, lasted nearly two months; however, in a note to clients, Bank of America analyst Ronald Epstein said the latest one could prove as short as a week.

That's in part because Boeing is in an especially weak position, he noted: Its standing has been seriously hurt in the wake of the mid-air door-panel blowout in January that prompted a nationwide grounding, federal investigations, and ultimately the ouster of Boeing’s leadership. The FAA continues to have federal monitors of Boeing's production in place. The company's stock, which is a component of the blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average , is down about 40% this year.

Newly installed CEO Kelly Ortberg already took a conciliatory tone with Boeing workers in the run-up to the strike, Epstein said.

“We see it likely Boeing would have to make further concessions and move closer to the IAM’s initial proposal,” Epstein wrote.

In a statement, Boeing acknowledged that members of the International Association of Machinists had deemed its offer "not acceptable."

“We remain committed to resetting our relationship with our employees and the union, and we are ready to get back to the table to reach a new agreement.”

Company executives have warned that the strike could “jeopardize” its recovery from recent scandals and quality problems.

A White House official said the Biden Administration is in touch with Boeing and the machinists.

"We encourage them to negotiate in good faith — toward an agreement that gives employees the benefits they deserve and makes the company stronger,” the official said.

The strike was largely expected, despite a push by union leaders to broker a last-minute deal. Rank-and-file members of the 33,000-strong workforce that constitute the striking group have said recent layoffs, a decision to shift some production to Boeing's non-union facility in South Carolina, and a push for even stronger compensation and protections had all pushed workers toward striking. Boeing had promised to build its next commercial airplane in the Seattle area under the tentative agreement.

Boeing appeared to have already made contingency plans in the run-up to the strike vote: Reuters reported on Tuesday that the company told suppliers it was delaying a key production milestone for its 737 MAX by six months.

Should the strike drag on, major carriers may not be able to meet capacity demands for next year's summer travel season, Harteveldt said.

"If this strike drags out, depending on how many aircraft can [Boeing} can deliver, airlines may find themselves with far fewer new planes by next summer's season, which is peak season — and that could definitely impact the number of flights and destinations available," he said.

Rob Wile is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist covering breaking business stories for NBCNews.com.

Southwest Shakes Up Board, Likely Avoiding Proxy Fight

In an “unprecedented” move, Southwest is retiring its chairman and making room on its board for candidates of its activist investor’s choosing—thus likely avoiding an expensive proxy battle.

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Southwest Airlines announced a big shakeup on its board of directors in an attempt to appease its activist investor. (Photo by Scott Olson)

F ollowing three months of intense pressure from a much-feared activist investor, Southwest Airlines announced Tuesday that it will revamp its board of directors and that longtime chairman Gary Kelly will retire in 2025.

Southwest’s announcement is a massive olive branch to Elliott Investment Management, owned by billionaire hedge fund magnate Paul Singer , which has in recent months amassed 10% of Southwest’s common stock and waged a very hostile public campaign for the Dallas-based carrier to make significant changes—or else. Elliott has advocated for revamping the board; replacing Kelly and CEO Bob Jordan; and conducting a comprehensive business review.

“It’s time to shake things up, not just stir them a bit,” Kelly told shareholders Tuesday in a letter . “The wisdom comes in knowing what to change and what not to change.”

Six of Southwest’s board members will retire in November, Kelly said, making room for four new independent directors “in the near future, including due consideration of up to three of Elliott’s candidates.”

Elliott had put forward a preferred slate of 10 candidates for the board after conducting what it described as “a months-long global search for the best individuals with the optimal mix of backgrounds and expertise.”

In July, after the airline announced significant changes to its business model—ditching its long-held open seating model, introducing a premium “extra-legroom” product, offering red-eye flights and more— Elliott remained dismissive , saying Southwest’s initiatives were “too little, too late.”

In contrast, the changes announced this week are next-level. “My initial reaction was that these are significant, these are substantial, these are transformational,” says Keith Gottfried, CEO of Gottfried Shareholder Advisory , a shareholder activism defense firm. “It certainly takes away the argument that this board is not willing to to make changes.”

Elliott said Tuesday that it was “pleased” by the overture. “We learned yesterday, which was made public today, that nearly half of Southwest’s board of directors had decided to resign based on shareholder feedback,” the investor group said in a statement. “In our experience, this is unprecedented.”

In bending to many of Elliott’s key demands, Southwest will likely avoid the “or else” option, an expensive proxy fight that would have likely cost tens of millions of dollars, Gottfried says. “The scale of this change in response to an activist is very atypical, and I think it really lowers the probability that we're going to see a proxy contest.”

Southwest has an investor day scheduled in Dallas for September 26. Before then, Gottfried expects Southwest and Elliott to hammer out some ground rules for working together in the foreseeable future. “I would be surprised if there is not a written agreement entered into that details how they’re going to cooperate going forward,” he says. “Southwest would probably want standstill provisions so they have peace and can focus on their business.”

Southwest stock is down 1.5% in the past year versus a drop of 0.8% in the S&P 500 Passenger Airlines Index during the same period.

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