Southwest cancels or delays over 1,000 flights so far this weekend, with more expected
Southwest Airlines finds itself in a tough spot once again this weekend as it canceled hundreds of flights yesterday and today and delayed well over 1,000 more due to weather, according to the airline.
The airline canceled or delayed the equivalent of 45% of its schedule Friday, and it's logged another 281 cancellations and 462 delays as of publication time today. It's likely there will be more to come as the day goes on.
TPG reached out to Southwest for comment on the reason behind these irregular operations and received the following statement:
"We are proactively canceling more than 150 flights today, from our schedule of more than 3,200 flights slated for Saturday, due to widespread thunderstorms expected across parts of the nation, including areas such as DEN, MCO, MDW, and STL. These proactive cancellations will allow us to minimize delays and diversions due to the storms and probable ATC initiatives."
It's no secret that airlines have also been struggling in recent days and weeks with labor shortages in conjunction with a rapid rise in demand for flights. Just this week, American Airlines shared that it would be canceling about 1% of its flight schedule in July, blaming it on weather and the ongoing labor shortage in the industry.
And Southwest itself has struggled recently with operations, suffering two total system outages in 24 hours, leading to widespread cancellations and delays.
Whatever factors contributed to the setbacks, cancellations and delays have understandably led to frustrated flyers, many of whom have taken to Twitter to voice their complaints about not being able to get a hold of the airline's customer service department or being offered flights that would get them to their destinations multiple days later than originally planned.
The best thing you can do if you're flying Southwest this weekend is to proactively check the status of your flights. If you start noticing delays -- or happen to be on a flight that gets canceled -- use the airline's mobile app to attempt to rebook yourself on a new flight as soon as you can.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees