Southwest Airlines suffers growing pains as it adds more congested hub destinations

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-3H4 N647SW (msn 27717) (Triple Crown) LAS (Bruce Drum), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) became very successful by avoiding the congestion of major hub airports by serving under utilized smaller airports. Southwest was therefore able to achieve a very low complaint factor and also the best on-time record. The airline even painted this special “Triple Crown” Boeing 737 to celebrate its earlier achievements. This is now changing as the company adds more major hubs airports. One of the airports that is suffering from this erosion of service is its major Chicago Midway Airport hub. According to this article by the Chicago Tribune, Southwest is dispatching a team of 10 station managers from other airports to MDW to try to solve these growing pains.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Southwest Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Southwest MDW Routes:

Like this:

Like Loading...

This entry was posted in Southwest Airlines and tagged Southwest Airlines on March 12, 2011 by Bruce Drum.

About Bruce Drum

I have started the ultimate digital photo library of the fascinating world of airliners and airlines. The goal is to have the complete history of all airlines and the various aircraft operated. I have been photographing airplanes since 1965. Join us in this adventure.

View all posts by Bruce Drum →

← Continental is considering moving up the retirement date for its remaining Boeing 737-500s and also its 767-200s Air Canada Express (Sky Regional Airlines) to launch operations on May 1 →

Email Address

Join 3,138 other subscribers

CrashPad411.com - CrashPads, Housing & Rentals

Proudly Serving 44,804 fellow in-flight crew members in 51 cities. With 4,097 temporary and short time, airline rentals, accomodations and CrashPad listings!
www.crashpad411.com

Airline News...

Willie is back! IndiGo has made one of the most consequential leadership decisions in its history by appointing William “Willie” Walsh — the former CEO of British Airways, former head of Int ...
Korean is in emergency mode: Korean Air is preparing to shift into full emergency‑management mode beginning in April, a move triggered by the sharp rise in global oil prices caused by the wa ...
The UK is now only days away from feeling the first direct aviation impact of the Middle East war, and airlines are already preparing for a tightening fuel environment. The final known shipm ...
Indonesia’s decision to ration fuel and order civil servants to work from home one day a week is already rippling through the country’s aviation sector, and the impact on Indonesian airlines ...
Will the LH A340-300/600 fleet be retired sooner? Lufthansa is quietly preparing for the possibility that it may need to ground part of its fleet if passenger demand weakens further as a res ...

Air Calédonie entered one of the darkest periods in its history when it filed for bankruptcy on March 27, 2026, after nearly a month of being unable to operate any flights. The shutdown was ...
ITA Airways officially returned to London Heathrow Airport on March 29, 2026, restoring nonstop service to Rome's Fiumicino Airportwith two daily flights after a two‑year absence. The airlin ...
European low‑cost carriers are reacting differently. Ryanair, with one of Europe’s most aggressive hedging programs and a young 737 fleet, is likely to maintain most of its schedule while pu ...
Rising jet fuel prices in Europe have doubled within weeks, driven by supply disruptions linked to the Iran–Hormuz crisis and Europe’s heavy dependence on imported refined product. With seve ...
Delta Air Lines flight DL104, with the pictured Airbus A330‑323 registered as N813NW, was departing São Paulo–Guarulhos Airport for Atlanta on the night of March 29, 2026, when it suffered a ...

Emirates says it is only days away from restoring its full global network as airspace across the region continues to reopen. The airline has already rebuilt a large portion of its schedule a ...
The UAE’s activation of safe air corridors reflects a coordinated regional effort to restore controlled air traffic after several days of severe disruption. During a government media briefin ...
LOT Polish Airlines has begun introducing onboard Wi‑Fi across its long‑haul fleet, activating the service first on the pictured Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner SP‑LSA and planning to equip two addi ...
American Airlines remains one of the most exposed major carriers because it still flies older A319s, 737‑800s, and 777‑200ERs—types that burn significantly more fuel per seat than the newer ...
Which U.S. airlines are most at risk with rising fuel costs? The escalating conflict involving Iran is now directly reshaping aviation across the Persian Gulf, creating one of the most unsta ...

"Footnotes of Airline Histories" Part 1 (A - I) - Interesting events and stories

Air Siam originated in September 1965 as Varan Air‑Siam, created by Prince Varanand, who held a 90% ownership stake and was motivated by patriotic and political concerns. He believed that f ...
Alaska Airlines’ charter service into Eastern Siberia became one of the most unusual commercial operations of the Cold War, and it unfolded over a very specific window of time. The airline f ...
Air Afrique was created on March 28, 1961, when the heads of 11 newly independent French‑speaking African nations signed a treaty in Yaoundé to establish a multinational flag carrier. The mu ...
Air America was a short-lived U.S. charter airline that operated from 1986 to 1990, unrelated to the CIA-linked historical carrier of the same name. It was formed from the remnants of Tota ...
Air Finland emerged from a small group of young Finnish pilots who wanted to build a leisure airline that reflected Finnish culture, language, and service standards. The idea began in late 2 ...

Air Siam originated in September 1965 as Varan Air‑Siam, created by Prince Varanand, who held a 90% ownership stake and was motivated by patriotic and political concerns. He believed that f ...
Alaska Airlines’ charter service into Eastern Siberia became one of the most unusual commercial operations of the Cold War, and it unfolded over a very specific window of time. The airline f ...
Air Afrique was created on March 28, 1961, when the heads of 11 newly independent French‑speaking African nations signed a treaty in Yaoundé to establish a multinational flag carrier. The mu ...
Air America was a short-lived U.S. charter airline that operated from 1986 to 1990, unrelated to the CIA-linked historical carrier of the same name. It was formed from the remnants of Tota ...
Air Finland emerged from a small group of young Finnish pilots who wanted to build a leisure airline that reflected Finnish culture, language, and service standards. The idea began in late 2 ...

"Footnotes of Airline Histories" Part 2 (J - Z) - Interesting events and stories

The second Midway Airlines began life in 1993, when a group of former Jet Express/USAir Express operators purchased the defunct Chicago‑based Midway Airlines name and launched a new carrier ...
"Ierse Zee". KLM introduced the Douglas DC‑7C “Seven Seas” in 1957, selecting the type as its ultimate long‑range piston‑engine airliner and the final step before the jet age. The airline or ...
KLM introduced the Douglas DC‑3 into its fleet in 1936, becoming one of the earliest European operators of the type. The DC‑3 represented a major leap forward from the DC‑2, offering greater ...
KLM introduced the Douglas DC‑6 into its long‑haul fleet in 1948, selecting the type as a modern, pressurized successor to the DC‑4 and as a bridge toward the coming generation of interconti ...
KLM introduced the Convair 240 “Convairliner” into its postwar European fleet beginning in September 1948, selecting the type as a modern, pressurized successor to the Douglas DC‑3. The airl ...

This Day in Airline History:

Taban Air flight HH6437 was operating a domestic service from Abadan to Mashhad on January 24, 2010, using the pictured Tupolev Tu‑154M registered as RA‑85787. The flight had already been de ...
"Flagship Erie". American Airlines flight AA327 was a long multi‑stop transcontinental service operating from Providence, Rhode Island, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, with ten scheduled intermediate st ...
American Airlines flight AA6780 was a multi‑stop service from Buffalo to Newark with scheduled stops in Rochester and Syracuse. On January 22, 1952, the aircraft—a Convair 240‑0, registratio ...
Ex Ryanair EI-CSW. Ethiopian Airlines flight ET409 was a scheduled overnight service from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport to Addis Ababa on January 25, 2010, operated by the pictur ...
American Airlines’ inauguration of jet transcontinental service on January 25, 1959 marked a decisive turning point in U.S. commercial aviation. Flight AA2, operating from Los Angeles to New ...

Airline News...Top Stories

World Airline News Top Stories

Qatar Airways Group announces a record profit in its 25 Year history of US $1.54 billion for the FY 2021-2022
SEA Welcomes Cathay Pacific’s Return of Service Between Seattle and Hong Kong
Austrian Airlines presents 3D Seatmap for the Boeing 777-200
Peach Aviation introduces a new logo and livery
Frontier Airlines adds frequencies to Boston and New York
British Airways welcomes its new Airbus A350-1000 and unveils its new Business Class "Club Suite"
Lufthansa will paint six aircraft in its special 100th year livery
Southwest Airlines introduces its new cabin design on Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 N8972S
Juneyao Air unveils its special liveries and cabins for its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners
Southwest Airlines unveils a new "Louisiana One" on N8977G

Hot New Photos

Hot New Photos – The Top 100

Airliners Gallery - RSS

Hot New Photos – Top 100

SAS marks the start of its 80th year of operations in 2026 with a specially painted Airbus A330-343, the pictured LN-RKR, celebrating eight decades of connecting Scandinavia with the world. ... March 31, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)SAS marks the start of its 80th year of operations in 2026 with a specially painted Airbus A330-343, the pictured LN-RKR, celebrating eight decades of connecting Scandinavia with the world. Throughout 2026, the airline will highlight its heritage and continued role in linking people, businesses and societies. The anniversary comes 80 years after […]
First Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 for Skymark Airlines: Skymark Airlines is preparing to introduce the Boeing 737‑8 MAX into its fleet much sooner than originally outlined in its long‑term order plan ... March 29, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)First Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 for Skymark Airlines: Skymark Airlines is preparing to introduce the Boeing 737‑8 MAX into its fleet much sooner than originally outlined in its long‑term order plan, with the first aircraft, JA738A, now in flight testing at Boeing and scheduled for delivery in April 2026. This aircraft marks the […]
SunExpress introduced the pictured “South London & Proud – The Eagles Fly” special livery on Boeing 737‑8 TC‑SMF in March 2026 as part of its expanding partnership with Crystal Palace FC. Th ... March 26, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)SunExpress introduced the pictured “South London & Proud – The Eagles Fly” special livery on Boeing 737‑8 TC‑SMF in March 2026 as part of its expanding partnership with Crystal Palace FC. The design was selected through a fan vote that overwhelmingly favored this bold, eagle‑themed concept, making it one of the club’s most […]
1st A350: EgyptAir’s Airbus A350‑941 fleet marks a major step in its long‑haul modernization strategy, with deliveries beginning in early 2026 and continuing through 2029. The first aircraft ... March 21, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)1st A350: EgyptAir’s Airbus A350‑941 fleet marks a major step in its long‑haul modernization strategy, with deliveries beginning in early 2026 and continuing through 2029. The first aircraft, the pictured SU‑GGE, had its first flight on January 22, 2026 and was delivered on February 9, 2026. It was followed by SU‑GGH (msn 776), […]
FlyTec is a new regional airline in Argentina that has begun positioning itself as a specialist operator for remote, high‑altitude, and industrial support flying—particularly for the country ... March 12, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)FlyTec is a new regional airline in Argentina that has begun positioning itself as a specialist operator for remote, high‑altitude, and industrial support flying—particularly for the country’s mining sector. The airline entered the public spotlight on March 11, 2026, when it took delivery of its first de Havilland Canada DHC-8‑402, becoming the first […]
The A380 in the special "100 Years" livery March 8, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)The A380 in the special "100 Years" livery
MNG Airlines' 2025 special "Go Green" livery March 6, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)MNG Airlines' 2025 special "Go Green" livery
Royal Air Maroc’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 promotional markings on Boeing 737‑8 CN‑MAX were introduced in November 2025 as part of a nationwide effort to showcase Morocco’s rol ... March 6, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Royal Air Maroc’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 promotional markings on Boeing 737‑8 CN‑MAX were introduced in November 2025 as part of a nationwide effort to showcase Morocco’s role as host of the 2025 tournament and to project the event’s branding across the airline’s most visible international routes. The aircraft became […]
2026 special "28 by 28 - The next EU member" markings: Montenegro’s push toward European Union membership has become the central organizing principle of its foreign and domestic policy, and ... March 6, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)2026 special "28 by 28 - The next EU member" markings: Montenegro’s push toward European Union membership has become the central organizing principle of its foreign and domestic policy, and by 2026 it stands as the most advanced EU‑candidate country in the Western Balkans. The accession process has reached its most demanding phase, […]
Rolled out on March 3, 2026 in the "100 Years" special livery March 4, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Rolled out on March 3, 2026 in the "100 Years" special livery
1955 "Super Star" retro livery: Lufthansa’s pictured Airbus A321‑231 D‑AISZ now wears this full 1955‑era “Super Star” retro livery, a design that recreates the look of the airline’s Lockheed ... March 3, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)1955 "Super Star" retro livery: Lufthansa’s pictured Airbus A321‑231 D‑AISZ now wears this full 1955‑era “Super Star” retro livery, a design that recreates the look of the airline’s Lockheed 1649A "Super Star" Starliner fleet from the dawn of its long‑haul piston era. The aircraft was repainted at Norwich in early February 2026 and […]
Air Canada’s first Airbus A321XLR, officially an A321‑271NY, marks a major step in the airline’s long‑range narrowbody strategy. The aircraft, currently flying under the Airbus test registra ... February 28, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Air Canada’s first Airbus A321XLR, officially an A321‑271NY, marks a major step in the airline’s long‑range narrowbody strategy. The aircraft, currently flying under the Airbus test registration of the pictured D‑AVZG, completed its first flight from Hamburg‑Finkenwerder Airport, remaining airborne for more than three hours while test pilots evaluated systems and performance . […]
Hainan Airlines’ pictured 2025 Mixue (蜜雪冰城) special livery represents one of the carrier’s most eye‑catching brand collaborations to date, applied to two Boeing 737‑800s, including the pictu ... February 26, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Hainan Airlines’ pictured 2025 Mixue (蜜雪冰城) special livery represents one of the carrier’s most eye‑catching brand collaborations to date, applied to two Boeing 737‑800s, including the pictured B‑1131. The design promotes Hainan’s Mixue’s bright red and blue branding and its widely recognized snowman mascot, creating a playful, high‑visibility aircraft that immediately stands out. […]
In February 2026, American Airlines introduced this striking new special livery to celebrate its role as an official partner of the FIFA World Cup 26™, unveiling the design on the pictured B ... February 18, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)In February 2026, American Airlines introduced this striking new special livery to celebrate its role as an official partner of the FIFA World Cup 26™, unveiling the design on the pictured Boeing 737‑823 registered as N844NN. The aircraft emerged in a vivid, high‑contrast paint scheme featuring bold red and blue elements, the official […]
Starlux Airlines’ first Airbus A350‑1000, the pictured B‑58551, marks a major milestone for both the airline and Taiwan’s aviation industry. Delivered in December 2025, the aircraft is the f ... February 15, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Starlux Airlines’ first Airbus A350‑1000, the pictured B‑58551, marks a major milestone for both the airline and Taiwan’s aviation industry. Delivered in December 2025, the aircraft is the first A350‑1000 to enter service with a Taiwanese carrier and debuts Starlux’s striking “Carbon Fiber” special livery, a design that highlights the A350’s composite structure […]
Lufthansa’s Airbus A350‑941 D‑AIXL became the latest aircraft to join the airline’s expanding 100 Years – 1926 | 2026 anniversary fleet when it arrived in Munich on February 12, 2026 followi ... February 14, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Lufthansa’s Airbus A350‑941 D‑AIXL became the latest aircraft to join the airline’s expanding 100 Years – 1926 | 2026 anniversary fleet when it arrived in Munich on February 12, 2026 following completion of its special‑livery paintwork in Châteauroux, France. The aircraft features the deep‑blue fuselage and oversized XXL crane emblem that define Lufthansa’s centennial branding, […]
"80 Years". Cathay Pacific marked the 80th anniversary of the Swire Group’s entry into aviation by applying a commemorative “80 Years” retro livery to this Boeing 747‑867F, registration B‑LJ ... February 12, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)"80 Years". Cathay Pacific marked the 80th anniversary of the Swire Group’s entry into aviation by applying a commemorative “80 Years” retro livery to this Boeing 747‑867F, registration B‑LJE. The aircraft retained the retro 1971 Cathay Pacific livery but received a prominent “80” emblem on the rear fuselage, reflecting the airline group’s heritage […]
Former Silver Airways N409SV has joined the JSX for the Santa Monica operation and is painted in this special "Spirit of Santa Monica" livery. JSX restored scheduled passenger service to SMO ... February 10, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Former Silver Airways N409SV has joined the JSX for the Santa Monica operation and is painted in this special "Spirit of Santa Monica" livery. JSX restored scheduled passenger service to SMO with its new service to Las Vegas.
Spirit Airlines introduced its first‑ever holiday‑themed aircraft on December 18, 2025, unveiling a special‑edition “Holiday Sweater” livery on the pictured Airbus A320-232 registered as N62 ... February 10, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)Spirit Airlines introduced its first‑ever holiday‑themed aircraft on December 18, 2025, unveiling a special‑edition “Holiday Sweater” livery on the pictured Airbus A320-232 registered as N628NK. The limited‑time design transforms the aircraft into a flying festive sweater, complete with stylized snowman and gingerbread‑man patterns woven across Spirit’s signature yellow fuselage. N628NK will operate throughout […]
American Airlines has begun rolling out its centennial celebration, marking 100 years since its first flight in 1926, when a Robertson Aircraft Corporation DH‑4 carried mail from Chicago to ... February 10, 2026
Bruce Drum (AirlinersGallery.com)American Airlines has begun rolling out its centennial celebration, marking 100 years since its first flight in 1926, when a Robertson Aircraft Corporation DH‑4 carried mail from Chicago to St. Louis. The first aircraft to debut the special centennial branding is Boeing 737‑800 N840NN, which entered service in the 100‑year livery on January […]