How Southwest’s operations model left it open to a domino effect of failures

Southwest Airlines' point-to-point system makes more direct flight options possible. But when extreme weather shut down many airlines across the country, Southwest planes and crew were left stranded. Meanwhile, the “hub-and-spoke” model used by American Airlines, and most others, allowed the airline to recover more quickly.

  • Not canceled
  • Canceled

Southwest Airlines

0.1% canceled

Map of Southwest Airlines flights on December 18, when 0.1 percent of flights were canceled.

American Airlines

1.2% canceled

Map of American Airlines flights on December 18, when 1.2 percent of flights were canceled.

Map shows only domestic flights. Non-passenger flights carry only crew.

Flightradar24

Katie Licari and Vanessa Martínez LOS ANGELES TIMES