The Latest Breaking News from Southwest

Transportation Secretary says airline has ‘completely melted down’ after cancelling more than 15,000 flights since 22 December

As chaos at Southwest Airlines brought misery to thousands of frustrated travelers and growing scrutiny from U.S. regulators and lawmakers, many in the aviation industry said the massive cancellation of flights by the nation’s largest domestic carrier was far from surprising.

Analysts say Southwest’s point-to-point flight system, antiquated technology, go-it-alone ticketing and overworked employees led to massive holiday breakdown.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation announced it will investigate Southwest Airlines’ onslaught of cancellations that stranded thousands of travelers and their luggage at airports and wreaked havoc on holiday plans.

The Dallas-based airline has canceled more flights than any other airline during the holidays, prompting federal investigators to ask why.

Southwest stock has dropped 6% after the airline canceled two-thirds of its flights this week.

Southwest isn't the only airline experiencing delays and cancellations, but it is by far the worst-hit, with about 5,500 of its flights canceled across the country in the last two days.

A winter storm was only the "catalyst" behind this week's air travel chaos.

As an enormous winter weather event hammered the nation, one airline stands out for its lack of preparedness to handle it.