What should southwest airlines do next

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Share Price. Investor Relations. Print page Email page Share page Facebook Twitter. Company Overview Third Quarter Results. Fleet 2 Load Factor Sign up now. Oct 21 Reuters - U. N on Thursday warned mounting inflationary pressures could overshadow strong holiday demand and delay a complete return to profit. Both the Texas-based carriers posted a smaller-than-expected loss in the third quarter, but said rising fuel prices as well as higher labor costs are hurting earnings in the quarter through December.

Oil prices have surged to multi-year highs this year, threatening a fragile recovery in the airline industry. Higher fuel costs tend to lead to result in less flown capacity and higher fares. N , which expects fuel prices to result in a pre-tax loss in the current quarter, has suggested that it might pass along the increased costs to consumers.

Carriers are also trying to hire workers amid a pick-up in travel demand. Southwest said it was aggressively hiring, with the aim of having about 5, new employees by the end of this year. Leocha says customers should ask about "distressed passenger" hotel rates. They're typically offered to elite passengers, he said, but can be extended to other travelers.

Cash refunds. Airlines are not required to rebook passengers on another airline's flight with available seats, according to the DOT, although they sometimes will and it's definitely worth asking.

Southwest Airlines has no change fees, although fare differences typically apply. The airline has not yet responded to a query about whether fare differences apply to this weekend's disruptions. When an airline cancels the flight, passengers are entitled to get their money back for the ticket if they decide not to travel. And they should insist on cash over vouchers. Department of Transportation rules confirm that you can get your money back for a flight canceled by your airline -- even for nonrefundable tickets.

But that's the extent of it. Headed to board a cruise or to a concert that you'll now miss?